Just Like Jesus

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Pete

Encountered in Genesis. Part of a prophetic utterance in the Psalms. Explained in Hebrews. That’s Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God. And bottom line for me this morning, he’s just like Jesus.

He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

(Hebrews 7:2b-3 ESV)

Four things highlighted by divine inspiration concerning this ancient figure. 1) By name, he is the “king of righteousness”; 2) because of his position, he ruled as king of peace; 3) with no record of his beginning or end, he is mysteriously without days; 4) and, as he was a priest of the Most High God (Gen. 14:18; 7:1), he thus is considered a priest forever. And all this, points out the writer, resembles the Son of God. He’s just like Jesus.

Maybe not appropriate to do so, but I can’t help but imagine a creative grin on the Father’s face, an all-knowing smile on the Son’s face, and the nodding assent of the Spirit, as the triune God, who knows the end from beginning, created Melchizedek, purposing a “chance encounter” between him and Abraham, so that it might serve as an eternal object lesson concerning the nature and work of the Son of God throughout the ages.

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.” . . . The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

(Psalm 110:1, 4 ESV)

Concerning the One who would come in the line of David to rule in power, concerning this King, it was foretold that Messiah would be not only a king, but a priest as well. A priest forever. A priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Messiah would be marked by righteousness. He would bring peace. He would minister forever. And while He would be after the order of Melchizedek, Melchizedek was made resembling Him.

What a story Mel has (can we call him Mel?). His life patterned after the Son of God. The details that remain in history of that life reflecting the nature of the person and work of the promised Anointed One. Mel’s story and glory written so that it might shine light on Jesus’ story and His glory.

Not that we’re any Melchizedeks or anything. But haven’t we been created and redeemed for the same purpose? Isn’t our story intended to reflect something of His glory? Though we have a long way to go, isn’t it true that, because of His sanctifying work in us, we too resemble in some measure the Son of God? Aren’t we also being made just like Jesus?

For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(Romans 8:29 ESV)

We who have had an encounter of the divine kind with the King of Righteousness have been declared righteous, and are being made righteous, in Him (2Cor. 5:21, Php. 3:9). We who abide in the shadow of the King of Peace know and can show a peace that passes all understanding (Php. 4:7). And, through the finished work of the Great High Priest, who once for all offered Himself as the sacrifice for sin (Heb. 7:27) and now is at the right hand of God every making intercession for us (Heb. 7:24-25), we have been made a holy priesthood (1Pet. 2:5,9).

Melchizedek? Just like Jesus. And us too. Becoming more and more like Jesus.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Better Things

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Pete

The writer to the Hebrews wanted to move on. Though he fought for the faith of these wavering Jewish believers, he wasn’t content to let them keep spinning their wheels on the basics. Kind of akin to Elijah, in essence he exhorts them, If you believe that Jesus is better–the better revelation; the better minister; the better builder; the better rest; the better high priest;–then, by His enabling power, according to His unfailing promises, move on and, with holy determination, follow Him.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity . . .

(Hebrews 6:1a ESV)

Go on to maturity. That’s the goal. That’s the end game. Grow up. Because there are things that belong to salvation. Better things.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things–things that belong to salvation.

(Hebrews 6:9 ESV)

The urgency of the charge was not intended to condemn but to spur on. Not meant as a judgment but intended to be a catalyst. Convinced that God would complete the work He had begun in them through regeneration (Php. 1:6), even though the going was tough, he earnestly urged the tough, through Christ, to get going. Because there are things that accompany salvation–better things.

That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. The better things.

How sad for those who are born again to view their salvation as a one-and-done past event and now theirs is to just sit and wait and struggle through life until they go to heaven. Though they’ve tasted and seen the Lord is good, they have little expectation of knowing any of that goodness until after the grave. And so they spin their wheels. Processing life through their own filters. Wandering about life in a context apart from who they are in Christ. Doing life in their own power.

Instead, I’m reminded this morning, there are things that belong to salvation. Things that let us go on to maturity.

Simple things. Things like pursuing His word. Because transformation comes through the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). Because we want to grow in faith and “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). Word of God speak!

Simple things like praying. Communing with God. Believing He hears. Knowing He cares. Trusting His sovereign ways.

Simple things like Christian community. Not just going to church, but truly, authentically, relentlessly being the church. Engaged in the one another’s. Believing that we have been fit together for the purpose of serving each other as part of the body of Christ. Trusting God’s design and dynamic for sanctification, each doing their part “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph. 4:13-14).

Simple things like being a part of the work of making disciples. Reaching them. Teaching them. Being examples for them. Loving them.

And that just scratches the surface of the things that belong to salvation. Just some of the better things that are ours to lay hold of.

Oh, that we would desire the better things. That we would, by faith, pursue the better things. That we would, through His Spirit, experience the better things.

All these things just a foretaste of the even better things to come.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Bounty Is In the Eye of the Beholder

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Pete

Cruising through Solomon’s one-liners in Proverbs this morning and there’s one that kind of stops me in my tracks. A phrase in it catching my attention and then immediately stirring my thoughts. And if I were to summarize what I’m thinking, it’s that bounty is in the eye of the beholder.

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
  for he shares his bread with the poor.

(Proverbs 22:9 ESV)

That this is an encouragement towards generosity is obvious. Other versions of the bible, taking a less literal approach, equate a bountiful eye with a generous man (NIV) or a generous eye (NKJV). So he who is generous (NASB) will be blessed.

The Hebrew word for bountiful is most often translated as good. So it’s the good eye that is the bountiful eye that is the generous eye.

But what strikes me is it’s not the good person, or even the one who is has lots, who is generous. But the person with a bountiful eye.

So what if the bountiful eye isn’t so much the equivalent of being generous, but rather the catalyst behind the dynamic of generosity? That it’s not so much an eye which looks around for objects to do good unto, but the eye that views whatever it has as an unmerited bounty to be stewarded? Less about a person with a benevolent disposition and more about a person who is somewhat in awe that they’ve been entrusted with any material possessions, at all?

What if the bountiful eye is the one that looks upon whatever they have as God’s gracious provision and blessing and thus, just as they have freely received, they’re motivated to freely give?

To be honest, I don’t quite understand the miserly mindset. Never been locked into saving for savings sake. Sure, I get that there is a wise stewardship required in planning for tomorrow while trusting God for today. But I also think that there shouldn’t be any people more generous than God’s people.

After all, of anyone, we who have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3) should appreciate that whatever is in our earthly bank accounts, whether much or not so much, is also God’s gracious provision. And, while we can’t share what we don’t have, we certainly can share out of what we do have. I’m reminded that Jesus held up as an example a widow who gave only two pennies as being more generous than others who were giving more because “they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty” (Mk. 12:41-44).

Do I look at my possessions, whether many or few, as being my possessions, or as God’s gracious provision? Do I view my bank account, whether much or not so much, as what I have worked for and therefore is mine, or as evidence of God’s good hand upon my harvest and therefore really His? If, regardless of how much it is, I see it as bountiful because it is God’s bounty toward me, then might not it motivate me to share my “bread” with the others? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

(Hebrews 13:16 ESV)

Sure, sharing what you have, especially if you don’t have much, might be a sacrifice, but it’s a sacrifice pleasing to God.

Oh, that God would give us the eye that sees whatever we have as His bountifulness to us. And that we would share freely of those treasures as unto Him.

Bounty is in the eye of the beholder.

And that, says wisdom, will be blessed.

Because of His bountiful grace. All for His bountiful glory.

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Able to Sympathize

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Pete

God is able. No surprise there. It’s what we believe. It’s what we declare. In a sense, it’s what we would expect of a God who is truly God.

He is able to speak creation into being (regardless of the mechanics). Able to direct the affairs of men, women, and nations. Able to heal, and even raise from the dead. After all, He is God.

He is able to know the thoughts and intents of the heart. Able to bring into light everything done in darkness. Able, when He determines the time, to bring justice to bear over all the earth. And yes, we believe, He is also able to make atonement for sin, fully and eternally, offering Himself in His Son as a once for all sacrifice on a Roman cross. Able to secure names in a Book of Life that will stand for eternity.

As God’s people we know it–God is able.

But what’s catalyzing the awe factor for me this morning, is chewing on the fact that He is also able to sympathize.

Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

Continuing Hebrew’s theme of Jesus being better, not only is Jesus the better prophet, able to speak to the hearts of men and women; better than the angels, able to minister to humans because He became human; and greater than Moses, the servant of the house, because He is the builder of the house; but the Son of God is also the better high priest. Better because He is able. Able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

Able to suffer and feel what we suffer and feel. As the old King James says, to be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Not just theoretically understanding our frailties because He’s aware of the fundamental properties of dust, but in touch with our realities because He experienced them in every respect, except for sin.

He was tempted, that is, He was tried, He was assayed, He entered the crucible of all that human experience encompasses. Not that He would be purified by knowing the heat of being human, but that He would be able to know at the deepest levels what we feel, and suffer, as if His own suffering, what we suffer, thus having a compassion founded on the most intimate of experience.

A better High Priest to advocate, mediate, and minister on our behalf . . . because He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.

And because He is able, we can with confidence draw near to His throne of grace. We can with surety know that there we will receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. And so, we’re exhorted, we can keep on keepin’ on–holding fast to our confession of faith . . . holding firmly to what we believe (NLT).

He is able to sympathize. Understands our weakness. Gets the suffering of our trials . . . the frustration of the flesh . . . the emptiness of our loss. Having experienced it all–all but the sin (MSG).

As I chewed on such inner-man-renewing truth this morning, an old hymn came to mind:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

~ Frank E. Graeff (1901)

Oh, yes, He cares! Because He is able. Able to sympathize.

More evidence of His unfathomable grace. More reason to ascribe to Him indescribable glory.

Amen?

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Strive to Rest

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Pete

They were in danger of repeating the folly of their fathers. Just as their ancestors had journeyed to the edge of the promised land, yet refused to enter because it didn’t make sense to them to try and take on giants (Numbers 13 & 14), many were being tempted to harden their hearts and turn their back on God’s provision for them. Though they had tasted and seen the Lord is good, because of unbelief, they didn’t think it was really all that good.

But it was there for them. The promise of entering God’s rest still stood. A Sabbath rest for the people of God. But they had to strive to enter that rest.

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

(Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV)

Strive to enter rest. That’s the phrase that’s got me thinking this morning.

Give all diligence. Interest one’s self most earnestly. Make haste and get at it. Or, to use a term that’s being used a lot lately in my circles, be intentional. That’s the type of effort exhorted here.

And for what purpose? To enter rest. To settle down. To colonize or take the land. To calm the winds and find an haven in still waters amid a safe harbor.

At first, it strikes me as funny (funny, weird . . . not funny, ha ha) that in talking about finding rest the charge is to make every effort. But the more I chew on it, the more it makes sense.

I don’t think we’re talking about heavenly rest here. Heaven’s eternal rest has been secured through the finished work of the cross. Guaranteed by the Spirit (Eph. 1:14) and assured by Jesus who promised that He would take us to Himself, that where He is we may be also (Jn. 14:3). We will enter that rest. Count on it!

Instead, I think the writer to the Hebrews is appealing to those who are wavering through unbelief to labor to enter the gospel’s rest. A rest for the people of God. God’s rest. A Sabbath rest. Resting from our works as God did from His.

And this requires that we strive to rest.

That we faithfully seek to abide in Christ as we feed on the word, labor in prayer, forsake not fellowship with His body, and seek to obey His commands. That we keep leaning in through difficulties and discouragements, resisting the temptation to go it on our own. That we continue to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, “for we who have believed enter that rest” (4:3a).

There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. A promised land to possess even today. And ours is not to waver through unbelief, but to make haste to enter into it. Every day. In every circumstance. By faith. Through His power.

We have been delivered from the wilderness. No need to wander back into it. We have been given wells of salvation from which we can draw living water–why would we seek other cisterns that offer drink that can’t satisfy our thirst? There is a peace that passes understanding, why pursue pressures beyond withstanding? He offers us the shadow of His wings, let’s not seek the shelters of this world.

“Come to me,” Jesus says still, even to those who are already His, “and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

Strive to enter rest.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Wells of Salvation

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Pete

For far too many, I fear salvation is viewed solely as an event. “When were you saved?” one might ask. “Oh, I was saved when I was . . . ” might come the answer. And, while it’s true that there was a moment when, by faith, we were delivered from the “domain of darkness” and transferred “to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13), we sell our salvation short if we view it as a “one and done” deal–I believed . . . I received . . . that’s taken care of . . . now let’s get on with life.

Continuing to read in Isaiah this morning. All kinds of prophecies about “that day.” Sometimes that day is clearly referring to the impending judgment of Israel. Sometimes it seems to point to the unavoidable, impending judgment of the world. And sometimes it talks of the day of Messiah’s glorious return and reign.

Isaiah saw a day when “there shall come forth a Shoot from the stump of Jesse,” a Branch from his roots (Isa. 11:1). Marked by the power of God’s multi-faceted Spirit upon Him, He will rule with supernatural insight and on the basis of His own perfect righteousness. So pervasive is His presence that, on that day, “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD”, so much so that it alters even the predatory dynamics of the animal kingdom (11:6-9). And, just as His been His practice since the foundation of the world, the root of Jesse will gather to Himself His people, extending His hand “yet a second time to recover the remnant” (11:11).

And I’ll let the theologians debate exactly when and how all this plays out on that day, but I see something from that day which reminds me of some truths about today.

You will say in that day:
   “I will give thanks to You, O LORD,
    for though You were angry with me,
   Your anger turned away,
   that You might comfort me.
   Behold, God is my salvation;
   I will trust, and will not be afraid;
   for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
  and He has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

(Isaiah 12:1-3 ESV)

I too was once far away. But He extended His hand and drew me near. Once deservedly an object of God’s wrath, He turned that wrath upon His Son that He might justly turn His anger way from me. Instead of His condemnation, I am, this day, a recipient of His comfort. Behold, God is my salvation too!

He is my strength. He is my song. And with joy, I can draw water from the wells of salvation.

Far from being a one and done event, salvation is a source. Deep wells of living water. Eternal springs that never run dry. A faithful fountain available 24/7, quenching my thirst, restoring my strength, and fueling my worship.

It’s what the Branch offered the woman of Samaria:

” . . . whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”    ~ Jesus

(John 4:14 ESV)

If salvation is viewed solely as an event, then it’s a thing of the past which we hope pays out benefits in the future. But if salvation is a well, then it is a vital source for doing life in the present. An unfailing anchor for enduring the storm. An ever-available rest for the weary soul. A gushing river of eternal hope. An unending repository of songs for praise.

Behold God–the living, active, ever-present God–is my salvation. And with joy I will this day, by His promised enabling, draw from the waters of His awesome provision.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Not Ashamed

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Pete

Chewing on the last nine verses of Hebrews 2 this morning. Almost too much to take in. Multiple meals here.

I could feast on a God, “for whom and by whom all things exist.” Or savor His gracious determination to bring prodigal men and women “to glory” as His forever sons and daughters.

Or I could taste and know afresh the Lord is good as I consider the Author of such a great deliverance–the Founder of my salvation, who was made “perfect through suffering.” Sharing in flesh and blood in order to redeem the children of flesh and blood. Enduring death that “He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Made like us “in every respect” so that, as a merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God, He might “make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Not only offering the once for all sacrifice, but Himself becoming that once for all sacrifice–bearing the wrath and punishment due my sin so that I wouldn’t have to.

What an awesome God! What an amazing Deliverer! More than can be really taken in. More than can be fully digested.

But here’s the morsel that keeps being worked over, again and again, in my head and in my heart this morning. He is not ashamed.

For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers.

(Hebrews 2:11 ESV)

Not ashamed.

Not embarrassed to utter in a loud voice, “Here are my brothers.” Not dishonored to cry aloud, “These are my sisters!” Not ashamed.

And that, not because of who we are or how well we perform. But because He who sets apart as holy, and those who have been set apart as holy, all have a common origin.

He being in very nature God. We having been created in the image of God.

We having been made flesh and blood from the dust of the earth through the creating power of the Maker of all things. He entering our world, fully embodying flesh and blood, so that He might redeem a sin-marred, death-enslaved creation, and re-birth a new creation for the glory of the Maker.

Both of one origin. All of One. Having the same Father. Of the same family. Therefore He is not ashamed.

Oh, to really believe that. That despite my increasing awareness of my weakness, He is not ashamed. Even through my frustrating failure, He still cries aloud, “My kin!”

To believe and rest in the reality that the love of God does, in fact, transcend the fickleness of His children. That the blood of Christ truly is able to cleanse from ALL sin. That our righteousness, far from being dependent on our performance, really is by faith alone. That our sanctification, while dependent on our holy determination and persevering cooperation, is, in actuality, His work alone.

So much so, that when it comes to declaring to the heavenlies, “Hey, these are My people!” . . . He is not ashamed.

Overwhelming thought.

These words penned by Charles Wesley and sung at a graveside service last Friday come to mind . . .

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain–
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be?
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me
Amazing love! How can it be?
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free so infinite His grace.
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free
For O, my God, it found out me
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free
For O, my God, it found out me

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off; my heart was free!
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off; my heart was free!
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
Alive in Him, my living Head;
And clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ my own
Bold I approach th’eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ my own

Such abounding grace.

To Him be all the glory.

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Not Firm in Faith, Not Firm at All

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Pete

Isaiah’s prophetic word was spoken to a king, but it was recorded for us. While his words had specific context for his day, they have great application beyond his era. Though the circumstance may have been specific, his counsel transcends specific situations in a way he could not have imagined. Such is the dynamic of the living word of God.

“If you are not firm in faith,
   you will not be firm at all.”   (Isaiah 7:9b ESV)

A word from the LORD God to a king, Ahaz of Judah, way back when. A word from the Lord for the guy in this chair this morning.

Syria, in league with Ephraim, had come up against Jerusalem to wage war against it. A formidable combined force, it caused the heart of the king and his people to shake “as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (7:2). Situation desperate!

And the LORD of hosts sends His messenger, Isaiah, to the king and to the people with a message:

“Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands.”   

(Isaiah 7:4a ESV)

Don’t freak out. Stay calm. Resist the natural waves of dread. Because compared to Me, says the LORD, these two fighting armies are but “two smoldering stubs of firewood” (NIV), they’re just a couple of  “burned-out embers” (NLT).

It’s not that these were two bottom tier armies, but that Judah’s God is in a league all of His own. When held up against the fire of the LORD, these formidable armies were just blowing a lot of smoke. No power greater than His power. No rule superseding His rule. No purpose carried out without His permission.

Thus says the Lord GOD:
  “It shall not stand,
      and it shall not come to pass.” (Isaiah 7:7 ESV)

King Ahaz, the LORD has spoken. Not gonna happen!

Believe it.

For if you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. If you won’t stand on the word of the LORD, then there’s no solid ground left to stand on.

The King needed that word in his day. This guy needs the same word today.

Different situations of course. Not staring down enemy forces, but in a battle nevertheless. No view of impending physical harm, but still a heart prone to shake like a tree in the wind before uncertain situations. Not having to deal with siege works being built around me, but having to deal with fear factors wanting to box me in.

But the God of Isaiah’s day is the same God of my day. He is still the Protector of His people and the Keeper of His promises. He continues to speak through His revealed word. He continues to act according to His divine purposes. The question for me is, “Will I trust Him?”

Yes, Lord! Because I know that if I am not firm in faith, I will not be firm at all.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
  and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
  and He will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

Yes He will. This I believe.

By His grace. For His glory.

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There Will Be A Canopy

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Pete

Isaiah saw a day when the glory would return to Zion (Isaiah 4:2-6). A day when the Branch, the promised Messiah, would visibly reign, beautiful and glorious. A day when those living in Jerusalem–those enrolled to abide there–are called holy because the Lord had washed away their filth.

And Isaiah also saw that on that day when the glory returns, the presence of the Almighty will be manifest over His people with a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Just as He had when He led them out of bondage from Egypt, the Lord’s presence would go before His people in a pillar of cloud and fire (Ex. 13:21).

Thus, says Isaiah, there will be a canopy.

. . . for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.

(Isaiah 4:5b-6 ESV)

A chamber of protection when He led them out of bondage from Egypt. A covering when He reigns over His people in Zion. And I’m wondering if there isn’t a principle here. That, where God’s people are, there will be a canopy.

That, while not visible like it once was and one day will be, a covering exists over those who have been set apart as holy through Christ’s cleansing work of redemption and regeneration by the cross. That, even over this current, invisible kingdom of heaven–one which exists in the midst of those called to be His own (Lk. 17:21)–there is a chamber of divine protection. A tent for shade from the heat. A refuge and shelter from the storm. An ever present canopy.

To be sure, it was easier to see during the days of Israel’s wilderness wandering. And, it will be unmistakable in that day when the Branch is seated in power. But I’m thinking that we too, as those set apart as holy, can also, by faith, enter into each day knowing that we too are covered. That there is a canopy.

His presence with us. His protection over us. His Spirit leading us.

Shade from the heat of the battle. Shelter from the tumult of the storm.

Assured that He is our booth. He is our tabernacle. He is our canopy.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Embracing the Splendor

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Pete

You can’t miss it. The rhythm of repetition pounds through Isaiah 2. “The LORD of hosts has a day,” declares the prophet (2:12a), and on that day there will be terror amidst splendor. Dread before majesty. Run-and-try-to-hide fear before unescapable glory.

Three times in this chapter Isaiah declares that, on that Day, people will try to hide behind rocks and bury themselves in the ground

. . . from before the terror of the LORD,
        and from the splendor of His majesty.

(Isaiah 2:10b, 19b, 21b ESV)

Initially, for the redeemed, the concept seems foreign to our faith fueled sensibilities. We long for the splendor. We can’t wait for the glory. But Isaiah 2 is reminder of the price paid, the grace shown, and the new life given through the cross of Christ, so that we might long for the glory.

Here are some thoughts from 2011 as to why we embrace the splendor.

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Everybody’s going to see Jesus someday. Everyone will one day behold His splendor and glory. But, I’m reminded by my readings this morning that not everyone is anticipating it. Not everyone will welcome it. Not everyone will delight in it. In fact, some will dread it.

Started reading in Isaiah this morning. No wasting time. God calls out His rebellious children. He indicts a “a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged..” (1:2,4). They pretended to honor Him by maintaining the sacrifices and the feasts but God said that, without real devotion behind it, that their religious observances were futile and an abomination. “I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” (1:11-13)

And then He promises a future day. The Day of the Lord. A day when His Righteous One will return “to terrify the earth” (Isa. 2:19,21) with judgment and to establish righteousness. He will return in glory and He will be seen in His majesty. And the pervasive response? Terror.

Three times in Isaiah 2 I read that when Jesus returns to this earth as King that the people will flee to hide “from before the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty.” (Isa. 2:10, 19, 21)

And I can’t help but think how foreign the idea is to me that encountering the splendor and glory of His majesty would result in terror or dread (NIV) or fear. This isn’t the “reverential fear” we so often talk about. This is runaway and try to hide fear. This is escape with your life dread. This is wide-eyed terror. All evoked by the glory of Christ’s majesty. Yikes!!!

Yet, I’m desiring to see His majesty. I’m anticipating the presence of His glory. I’m delighting in the thought of being face to face someday and beholding His splendor. So what’s up? Hebrews 1, another reading of mine this morning, is what’s up!

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets [like Isaiah], but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son”

(Hebrews 1:1-2a ESV)

Thus, by the grace of God, I don’t dread the Son’s return in majesty because, through faith, the Voice broke through this sinner’s hard heart and plugged ears, and today I embrace Him as Savior rather flee Him as Judge.

Far from dreading a confrontation with His glory, I delight in the hope of encountering the risen Christ in all His majesty. Not because of who I am or what I’ve done, but because this same Son of majestic splendor and glory has, Himself, purged my sins, providing the way for my salvation. (Heb. 1:3b).

That’s the difference. That’s why, rather than dread it, I rejoice in the thought of His return. Because my King first visited this earth as Servant and as the once-for-all sacrificial Lamb of God. He paid the price in full for my sin and made way for full and complete redemption. He brought me into relationship with Himself. He set His Spirit within me to ready me for that encounter on that day. And so, I delight in the thought of being up close and personal with the splendor of His majesty.  Of joining with a myriad of others, all of whom He calls His own.

Dread or delight? Two very different responses to being in the presence of the same Savior, the same Son of God, the same King of glory.

And so God pleads through the prophet,

” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall become as wool.’ ”

(Isaiah 1:18 ESV)

That’s me! White as snow. Cleansed by the blood of Christ. And that, by the grace of God.

And so, I delight in anticipation of that day when He will return in splendor and glory and I behold His majesty.

Even so, Lord Jesus, Come!!!!

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