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.

———————————————————————-

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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Nature or Nurture? . . . Or Something Else?

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Pete

Continuing this morning to work my way through Solomon’s Twitter feed . . . aka Proverbs. And Wisdom continues to speak, providing insight concerning the dynamics of human nature, instruction as to skillful living, and indications of how to recognize wisdom when you see it. And it’s one of those indications that has me noodling a bit this morning.

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
   and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

(Proverbs 17:27 ESV)

Okay, gonna be honest . . . it’s the phrase “cool spirit” that caught my eye–who doesn’t wasn’t to be cool? (Or, maybe it’s the Holy Spirit directing my attention here . . . seems verbosity verses have been jumping off the page a lot this time through Proverbs).

Anyway, I check out “cool spirit” and see that the ESV has gone with the most literal of translations. Apparently it comes from a root word that means “to chill.” And it has the idea in this context of being calm or self-possessed. Literally “cool of spirit.” That’s why the NKJV translates it “calm spirit”, why the NIV renders it “even-tempered.”

So here you have an indication of where wisdom is taking hold in a person. They will hold back on what they’re thinking. They’re chill and even-keel in their reactions.

As someone who naturally has a tendency to speak first and think later, this is a bit alarming. Too many memories of being anything but cool. Instances that flash to mind of wave-tossed reactions rather than calm seas of reflection. But, though I’m not there yet, I do think I’m more even-keeled, a little more restrained, a little more cool than I once was. So what’s the deal?

If my self-assessment has any merit, then I’m not simply defined by my nature. Naturally, I probably fall more on the “hot head” side of the continuum. So is it just nurture that’s tempered my temper? Simply trying hard enough, and practicing often enough, that has resulted in some measure of keeping it chill when everything in me would just as soon react? Don’t think so. I think it’s something else. Someone else. Wisdom is having her way.

It’s not that I need to behave in a certain way in order to be wise, but that because I am growing in knowledge and understanding, it manifests itself in being more cool — even when I’m anything but cool naturally.

It’s as I get to know how this world is wired and Who wired it . . . as I understand why I’m here, why my nature is flawed, and how God intervened to renew it . . . as I continue to grasp that the source of true righteousness is not in who I am, nor in how well I can perform, but in believing what God has done . . .

As all this takes–and that only by the illumination of God’s Holy Spirit–then nature bows to a new nature. Nurture is less a means and more of an outcome. Such that restrained words and a cool spirit reflect something else at work deep within the heart of a person. And like I said, that something else is Someone else . . . Wisdom.

He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

(1Corinthians 1:30 ESV)

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

(Galatians 2:20 ESV)

As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He increasingly manifests Himself in and through us. That’s called sanctification. That’s called transformation through the renewal of our minds (Rom. 12:2). And that’s cool.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Rebuke is Just Fuel for the Fire

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Pete

It’s a reminder of the role heat can play in promoting purity. Leave precious metals at room temperature and they can look pretty precious. But apply the right amount of heat and the dross becomes evident. A scum forms on the surface of the molten metal. The dregs once hidden now rise to the surface. The impurities once concealed become evident. At that point, you either deal with the revealed uncleanness by removing it, or you let it settle back in to continue to defile, mar, and impede the potential of these metals created for unique purposes.

This morning, Wisdom says that God will turn up the heat on our hearts in order deal with impurities there as well.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
   and the LORD tests hearts.

(Proverbs 17:3 ESV)

While the end product is worth it, the process isn’t much fun . . . not for the silver, not for the gold, not for our hearts. Uncomfortable at the very least, but as the temperature increases, perhaps approaching unbearable. Much easier to try and remove yourself from the fire than allow it to do it’s refining work of driving hidden junk to the surface.

And while we can meditate on the number of ways God might “turn up the heat” on our hearts in order to bring stuff that needs to be dealt with into the open, this morning it’s another verse in Proverbs 17 that has me thinking about one particular type of fuel for the fire. Rebuke.

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
   than a hundred blows into a fool.

(Proverbs 17:10 ESV)

The NIV says that rebuke “impresses a man of discernment more.” The NKJV, that it “is more effective.” But the more literal translation of the ESV explains why. Because it “goes deeper.”

A person of understanding, a person who has invited Wisdom in, and in whom Wisdom is active, while having no more natural affection for correction than anyone else, will be “pressed down” by reproof. It will penetrate deeper. It will cut further. It will hurt more. Why? Because Wisdom is doing her work as the Spirit of God takes the rebuke and fuels the fire revealing more of the impurities.

To be honest. I don’t much care for being rebuked. I know it’s “good for me”, but I don’t like it. I’ve learned to invite “feedback” and know that it’s “a gift,” but most often I’m not crazy about receiving the gift.

How come? If it’s beneficial why am I not more excited by it? Because I don’t like the heat being turned up. As the correction descends, the process that reveals the heart gets increasingly uncomfortable. My initial reaction, my fleshly reaction, is to ignore it, or dismiss it, or rationalize it away. Because rebuke fuels the fire of God’s revealing work.

And beyond the hot-seat dynamic of correction, I’m not much of a fan of seeing what surfaces when the Tester of Hearts actually tests my heart. When He brings to the surface things I’d just as soon leave buried. When He assays what I would naturally choose to ignore.

But a man who welcomes understanding, a woman who embraces wisdom, people who have been given the mind of Christ, will submit to the testing of their hearts. They will deal with the penetrating discomfort of rebuke as it fuels the purifying fire of the Spirit and reveals stuff that needs to be dealt with if they are to be increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.

Not much fun. But part of sanctification’s process. And continuing evidence of God’s love for His children.

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” . . . He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(Hebrews 12:6, 10b-11 ESV)

Rebuke is just fuel for the fire.

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

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There Is A Refuge

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Pete

We sang about heaven yesterday morning. One of the songs, probably not the most theological in nature, was a real toe tapper. In what is normally a non-clapping church, some were even moved to assume the “clappetory” position and make a joyful noise to the Lord with their hands as well was with their voice. One senior saint couldn’t keep herself from dancing before the Lord — well, maybe dancing is overstating it a bit, but the joy of the Lord was enough to set her feet moving and her body swaying. Did I mention we were singing about heaven?

I have often thought, and sometimes remarked to the congregation, what an unbeliever might think to be in our midst and watch a group of people standing and singing together at 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning.  Much less singing with smiles on their faces and joy in their heart as they declare,

“When I die, hallelujah by and by! I’ll fly away!” 

Written by Albert E. Brumley. Lyrics © Albert E. Brumley & Sons

Weird.

Or not . . .

The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
   but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

(Proverbs 14:32 ESV)

At first read, it might sound like the righteous finds refuge in the wicked’s death. But that doesn’t make sense. But for some, neither does it make sense that someone might find refuge in their own death. “When I die, hallelujah by and by! I’ll fly away!”

But that’s the way of Wisdom. “Even in death the righteous have a refuge” (NIV). They are “trustful” in death (YLT). They have hope (AV).

Why? Because the Source of their righteousness conquered death. The One who bore the wrath for their sin on the cross, so that He could justly credit His holiness to their account, rose from the dead on the third day.

Where O’ death is your victory? No where!

What’s more the One who defeated death made a promise to those who are declared righteous by faith.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” ~ Jesus

(John 14:2b-3 ESV)

Let not your hearts be troubled. The righteous finds refuge in his death. Knowing that where Jesus is, they will be also. “When I die, hallelujah by and by! I’ll fly away!”

There is a refuge for the people of God. Such that, though we mourn through the ugliness of death, though we figure out how to work through the sorrow of separation, though we endure the lasting effects of loneliness when someone has gone, we do not grieve as those who have no hope (1Thess. 4:13). But as those who are sure of refuge.

We sang about heaven yesterday morning. And we shifted from top tapping to hand raising.

When I stand before Your throne
Dressed in glory not my own
What a joy I’ll sing of on that day
No more tears or broken dreams
Forgotten is the minor key
Everything as it was meant to be

And we will worship, worship
Forever in Your presence we will sing
We will worship, worship You
An endless hallelujah to the King

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin / Jonas Myrin /
Matthew James Redman / Timothy John Wanstall
Endless Hallelujah lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group,
BMG Rights Management

“When I die, hallelujah by and by! I’ll fly away!”

Weird. Wonderfully, marvelously weird!

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Curse-based Oath vs. Grace-based Determination

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Pete

You gotta hand it to Nehemiah & Co. They did it!

Despite unrelenting opposition they rebuilt the walls. But perhaps more impressive, after decades of exile in a foreign land they rediscovered the Word. The Law read resulted in hearts stirred. And the more they studied the Book the more determined they were to obey the Book.

But as I get to chapter ten, and knowing how it plays out in chapter thirteen, I cringe a bit as the people led by Nehemiah seek to enter into obedience through a curse-based oath rather than through grace-based determination.

. . . all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and His rules and his statutes.

(Nehemiah 10:28b-29 ESV)

They knew where they had come from (Neh. 9). It was clear to them why the city had been razed 70 years earlier and why they had been subjected to an extended stay-cation in the land of their enemies. They had rebelled. They had acted presumptuously in the land gifted them. They had embraced the world around them and acted wickedly. They had cast the law behind their backs and killed the prophets. Been there, they thought, don’t wanna go back.

But their God was a God “ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” — a God who would not forsake His people (9:17). And so, they had a new lease on life in the land of promise. And they weren’t gonna let it go. And so they did all they could see as humanly possible and entered into a “firm covenant in writing” (9:38) with the God of heaven. A curse-based oath.

They accepted the challenge of Moses. Obey and be blessed. Disobey and be cursed. They would perform and be rewarded. And if they didn’t, they would be punished.

Heavy sigh!!! What a burden.

Not that desiring to be obedient was bad. But that thinking obedience was achievable through human effort if only placed under the sword of grave enough consequence. Centuries later Peter would declare such thinking to be a no-win situation. That it would be but a yoke on their neck “that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear” (Acts 15:10). Curse-based oaths were never intended to be burdens that could be carried to righteousness.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

(Romans 3:20 ESV)

Like Nehemiah & Co., the desire of God’s people should be faithful obedience. But ours is not a desire fueled by an oath taken under threat of punishment, instead it is a longing of the heart in response to the finished work of the cross. Not in a strong-willed belief in our ability to obey, but in a soul-submitted humility acknowledging our dependence on the power that raised Christ from the dead. Not in order to win blessing, but because we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.

Our hope of obeying lying not in a curse-based oath but in grace-based determination.

Believing we are new creations in Christ. That we are indwelt by the Spirit, are being conformed to His image, and are able to do His will.

Knowing that when we fail and/or tripped up, as will happen as long as the flesh continues to rebel against the law, that His blood shed on the cross is sufficient to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and that His grace is sufficient to restore us and set us again on the path of obedience.

Praise God for setting within us a grace-based holy determination so that, like Nehemiah & Co. desired, we might “do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord.”

By His grace. For His glory.

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Reveal or Conceal?

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Pete

Not everything you know, does everybody else need to know as well. That’s the word for me this morning from Proverbs.

A prudent man conceals knowledge,
   but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

(Proverbs 12:23 ESV)

Probably two ways to understand what the teacher is teaching here. The MSG and NLT tip their hands clearly as to how they see the meaning. Prudent people don’t “flaunt their knowledge” (MSG); wise people “don’t make a show” of it (NLT). We’ve all seen them, the know-it-alls who want you to know that they know it all. Solomon says, “You don’t want to be that guy!”

But there’s another way to pick up what’s being laid down here. There’s just stuff we know, things we are aware of, that others don’t necessarily need to know. And we need to know when that stuff is better kept to ourselves.

Personally, I tend to value transparency. Over the years I’ve intentionally tried to practice openness, and that, as a two-way street. I’ve tried to be quick to ask for feedback (and really want it). And, I’ve probably tended to be equally quick to provide it. But this morning, as I chew on the word and reflect on the past, I’m wondering if sometimes I’ve been too quick to share my knowledge. That perhaps, in some circumstances, it might have been better concealed.

And that’s the deal . . . only in some circumstances might it have been better to keep things to myself, not in all circumstances. Or, as the great poet Kenny Rogers put it, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.” And that complicates things.

It’s a lot easier, it seems to me, if you choose to do life in a black and white mode. If things are either on or off, then it greatly simplifies the decision making. If I’ve chosen to operate either in a share knowledge mode or a conceal knowledge mode, it keeps things pretty simple–not a whole lot of thinking, or praying, required. But, as I’m reminded this morning, to be mindlessly in the share knowledge mode, is to risk having the heart of a fool. Settling for keeping things simple by being in one mode or the other is the way of the simpleton.

Instead, a prudent person knows when to speak knowledge and when to conceal it.

Prudence. Not a word we use a lot today. Shrewd. Using good judgment. Wise. Not words we see practiced a lot today. Everybody’s got an opinion it seems and with today’s social media platforms, seems few are holding back what they think they know.

But, this morning’s word isn’t about everybody, is about this body in this chair.

I need to know when to speak and when to hold back. When to share, and when not to share. When it’s prudent to reveal, and prudent to conceal.

It’s not an either/or, on or off, thing. It’s about discernment and wisdom. And truth is, I need a mind more attuned than mine is naturally, to navigate such waters. A mind that is more supernatural.

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. . . . we have the mind of Christ.

(1Corinthians 2:12-13, 16b ESV)

Perhaps I’m quoting these verse a bit out of context, but I think the principle applies. Some things need to be spiritually discerned. Not with the spirit of the world, but through the Spirit who lives in us. Not with reliance on our own human wisdom, but seeking the prudence that comes from above.

And what we need, He has provided. For we have the mind of Christ. We have Wisdom.

That I might seek Wisdom above valuing transparency. Wait for Wisdom to lead before opening my mouth because I think it’s a good idea.

Knowing when to reveal, and when it’s prudent to conceal.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Word Had Its Way

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Pete

Though rebuilt it was still a shadow of the glory it had been in the day. Sure the walls were in place, the gates re-hung, the temple again marked by the ascending smoke of offerings to the Lord, but it wasn’t the Jerusalem of David’s day, not the temple as Solomon had constructed it.

But really, for hundreds of years before Jerusalem had been razed by the Babylonians, though the physical city stood, inwardly the decay of spiritual infidelity had taken it’s toll. The more the world had crept in, the more the glory had been driven out.

But that was then. This was now. The people were back. The walls stood. The temple billowed smoke. And something occurred in a manner that the people of God hadn’t known for a thousand years. And that, because the Word had its way.

And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing.

(Nehemiah 8:17 ESV)

It’s not that the Feast of Booths hadn’t been celebrated since Joshua (1Ki 8:2,65 2Ch 7:9, Ezra 3:4), but not since Joshua had the Israelites celebrated it “like this” (NIV, NLT). Less of religious compulsion, instead of willing response. And what was the catalyst for such a glorious and joyful response? The Word had it’s way.

God had set their hearts to seek Him afresh through His word. They gathered together with unity of purpose and asked Ezra to bring the Book and read the Word (8:1). And the people were all ears and attentively listened as the Law was read (8:3). As the Book was opened, the people stood (8:5)–the Holy Word received with holy reverence. And they worshiped, hands up and face down, at the anticipation of hearing afresh from the God of their restoration (8:6). And they were taught. Learned men taking the Word that was read, and making clear it’s meaning, “so that the people understood the reading” (8:8).

And the Word had its way. They were transformed by the renewal of their mind, discerning the good and perfect and acceptable will of God (Rom. 12:2).

First, they wept tears of contrition as they realized afresh the depths of their past rebellion and the reasons for their exile. But then they were encouraged as they were reminded that they were no longer standing in Babylon, but were now in Jerusalem. And while the city might have been a shadow of a former day, the hearts of the people was set towards heaven in a way they hadn’t been in a millennia, not since the days of Joshua.

And it’s got me thinking this morning about the power of God’s inspired Word. That it truly is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). That it really is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” so that the people of God might be equipped for every good work (2Tim. 3:16-17). Such as the good work of obediently celebrating the faithfulness and provision of God.

How often do we think we need to supplement the Word in order “get results”? How often do we look to something else as the means for heart-level change? How often are we tempted to think we’ve outgrown the pat answers of the Bible and are ready for something more “sophisticated”?

I chew on Nehemiah 8 and what I see is the Word having it’s way. A hunger and thirst for righteousness created because they had tasted and seen that the Lord was good. A desire for obedience, not in order to earn favor, but as a response to the abundant favor already showered upon them.

The city around them may have been a shadow of its former glory, but the shadow of God’s glory enveloped them that day as it hadn’t for years. And that, because the Word had it’s way.

By His grace. For His glory.

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What More Could You Want?

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Pete

In the day, you normally wouldn’t have seen them hanging out together, for Jews had no dealings with Samaritans (Jn. 4:9b). Samaritans were viewed as an impure and unclean people. But hey, when you’re unclean yourself, guess it doesn’t much matter.

And so the nine Jewish lepers, and their co-sufferer, the Samaritan, had become a bit of a brotherhood. They lived between Samaria and Galillee and at a distance from everyone else (Lk. 17:11-13). And when opportunity came knocking, they went after it as a cohort together.

“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  (Luke 17:13b ESV)

The Healer had come to town. His reputation preceding Him. The crowds, no doubt, following Him. And these ten, with whatever feeble faith they had, together, as Jew and Samaritan, put off their separated anonymity, and with voices lifted up cast the spotlight on themselves as they pleaded for Messiah’s mercy.

When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (Luke 17:14a ESV)

That was it. No big production. No “abracadabra!” Just go and let the priests declare you clean. And they went. All of them–including the Samaritan who wasn’t sure if a good Jewish priest would even receive him.

But they had all believed enough to go to Jesus. And they would all believe enough to obey Jesus. And so they went, all of them, though nothing had yet changed. And, records the Scriptures, “As they went they were cleansed” (14b).

They believed. They obeyed. They were healed. What more could you want?

Evidently, their gratitude.

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-18 ESV)

Don’t know what the nine were thinking. At best, they were so caught up with their new, unblemished skin that they couldn’t wait to be certified clean by the priests and get on with life and so, simply forgot to say, “Thank You!” At worst, they were patting themselves on their own backs for their boldness in taking advantage of the Healer’s presence and stepping forward in faith and could only think to themselves, “We did it!!!” They were on their way to being certified clean, now they’d take it from here. Having left the Healer’s presence, Jesus was outta sight, outta mind.

But one, the Samaritan, returned to worship. He assumed the posture of worship–facedown. He found the place of worship–the feet of Jesus. And he offered the product of worship–praise to God.

Just as he had lifted his voice with his cohort pleading for mercy, now alone with a loud voice he proclaimed the glory of God. And to him Jesus said,

“Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 15:19 ESV)

Faith and obedience resulting in worship was the indicator that not only had his body been healed, but that his soul had been delivered. That not only was he no longer physically leprous, but he was also no longer spiritually blind. That not only had his skin been restored, but his heart renewed.

Worship, it seems to me, is the fruit of salvation. Giving God glory is the supernatural outcome of having been touched by God’s grace. True healing manifests in heartfelt praise.

Oh, that I might ever stand with the Samaritan. Finding myself frequently at the feet of Jesus giving Him thanks. Might I be kept from a heart that receives the miracle of being made whole without the irrepressible desire to return often to praise the miracle Giver.

Because of His grace. Only for His glory.

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