In His Confidence

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Pete

Gain better than silver. Profit exceeding gold. More precious than jewels, and nothing one could desire can compare. In one hand there is long life, in the other riches and honor. Ways of pleasantness, paths of peace. A tree of life for all who lay hold, and they are called blessed. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom (Prov. 3:13-18).

Or, through my Christ filter, blessed is the one who finds Wisdom.

Hovering over Proverbs 2 and 3 this morning.

The dad’s encouragement to his son is to pursue wisdom (2:2-4). To make the ear attentive to her, to incline the heart toward her. Calling out for insight, raising the voice for understanding. Seeking wisdom as though it were silver, searching for it as for hidden treasures. Because when you find wisdom, aka Wisdom, . . .

. . . then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

. . . Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart.

(Proverbs 2:5, 9-10a ESV)

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.

The pursuit of wisdom opens the door of understanding to things beyond mortal understanding. The fear of the Lord. The knowledge of God. But it also provides insight for skillful living. For what it means to walk righteously, discern justly, and for knowing what is fair. Finding wisdom is finding the good path.

And here’s what’s overwhelmed me a bit this morning concerning this divine dynamic. It is possible because the God who by wisdom (aka Wisdom) founded the earth (3:19), is the God who brings seekers of wisdom (aka Wisdom) into His confidence.

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in His confidence.

(Proverbs 3:31-32 ESV)

The upright are in His confidence. That’s what’s grabbed me this morning.

The NASB says, “He is intimate with the upright.” The NKJV that “His secret counsel” is with them. And if the upright are those who rebuff the way of the worldly and wicked because they have pursued and encountered Wisdom (and they are), then wisdom-seekers are blessed because they have been brought into the inner circle of the deep things of God.

Those who ask for wisdom are given. Those who seek her, find. Those who knock on her door, to them it is opened and they are brought into His confidence.

How amazing is that? Pretty!

To abide in Christ is to abide in Wisdom. To live our lives in Him is to have His mind in us.

The things we take for granted after walking the pilgrim pathway for so many years are the things of His secret counsel. The truths of intimate communion. The blessings of being seated with Him in heavenly places.

Chewing this morning on the wonder of being in His confidence.

By His grace. For His glory.

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I’m Listening . . . Still . . .

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Pete

Started in on Proverbs this morning. After reading chapter 1, chewed on how important it is to have ears to hear. Then, as I sometimes do when a thought doesn’t immediately form, I went back in my e-Journal to look at previous entries on the same passage. Found this from 2010. Apparently that’s the year I started reading the “character” of Wisdom in the opening chapters of the Proverbs through the filter of Christ. Started marking my bible in a different way that year, and have continued on in like manner ever since. Also noted that 2010 was the year before our lives became over-shadowed by an extended season of dealing with disease. A reminder that laying down a solid foundation in the good times has a way of sustaining you through the more difficult times. Anyway, back then I titled the entry “I’m Listening.” By God’s grace, and for God’s glory, I’m listening . . . still.

———————————

Transition day . . . after almost 7 months with the Psalms as a part of my daily readings, I now shift to Proverbs. Always kinda’ sad to leave the Psalms . . . always anticipation, though, as I enter the Proverbs. I love the praise of the Psalms . . . I so enjoy connecting with the emotion of the song-writers and having their experience direct my heart heavenward. But we’re not to love God with our heart only . . . but with our minds too . . . enter, the Proverbs. Oh, to be wise . . . to have a heart like Solomon which sought a mind in tune with God . . . that too is a worthy pursuit. And so, entering the Proverbs, I desire to grow in wisdom . . . to become more a master of “skillful living” . . .

To help me, I’m going to look to change up my coloring scheme for this book so that I can be on the look for repeating themes and topics addressed by Solomon and others in this piece of “wisdom literature.” One of the shifts I made this morning was I took the color I use for Jesus, shaded navy blue, and I used it for wisdom. Though I’m not necessarily looking for connections between my “default colors” and my “Proverbs colors”, in this case, this one does seem appropriate. Is it too much to think of Christ as the embodiment of wisdom?

Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words; ” . . . Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you . . . whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

(Proverbs 1:20-21, 23, 33)

Oh, to hear the voice of wisdom calling out above the world’s din. Though being in the marketplace or caught up on the rat race, to still hear her voice providing context to the fast paced encounter I have each day with life. To know the voice which can envelope my carnal experience with a spiritual dimension. To see things not only through my own eyes, but through the eyes of the One who created all things and seeks to redeem all things.

There’s a promise for those who are open to wisdom . . .who have their “ears on” for her words . . . for those who are seeking to catch what she throws. To those, she will pour out her spirit . . . and reveal her thoughts, make known her words. To those, she will provide a safe and secure place, a place without fear of evil . . . not a tribulation-free place . . . but a fear-free place.

And as I consider wisdom calling out this morning I hear these words:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30)

I hear that voice crying out in the open squares and concourses. These words calling me to bind my life with His that He might pour His life into mine. A promise of soulful rest . . . a security and peace that passes understanding that comes only from hearing and heeding His voice.

Oh, that I might be tuned to wisdom’s frequency . . . that the Spirit of wisdom might have free access to lead me in ways of wisdom and truth . . . that the Son of wisdom might live through me as I’m conformed more and more to His image and participate more and more in His mind . . . that the Father of wisdom might be brought some pleasure through my navigation of this world by His light.

Yup, I love the Psalms’ praise . . . but I’m looking forward to the Proverbs’ wisdom.

Call aloud . . . raise your voice . . . I’m listening . . .

. . . still

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Blessed Are the Awake

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Pete

Anticipation. The act of anticipating. Of regarding something as possible and taking action to be prepared. Of looking forward to something in the future with a present readiness.

The opposite of anticipation? Being unaware. Unengaged. Not ready. Asleep at the wheel.

Thinking about being ready this morning as I read in Luke’s gospel .

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. . . . You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 12:35-36, 40 ESV)

Jesus to His disciples: “You also must be ready.” The Master is coming back. The Bridegroom will soon call for His bride. The King is not long in claiming His kingdom. And ours, as His servants, His bride, and His people, is to live in anticipation of His return. To live in expectation. To be ready.

What’s more, says Jesus three times in this passage, “Blessed are the awake!”

“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! . . . Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” ~ Jesus again

(Luke 12:37-38, 43 ESV)

Repetition is exclamation in my books. A raising of the voice. Multiple flashing signs saying, “Don’t miss this!” And in this case, all fingers are pointing to a blessing.

Blessed are those dressed for action. Blessed are those who keep their lamps burning. Blessed are those who are doing what the Master has asked them to do.

Blessed are those living in anticipation. Blessed are those occupied, with whatever they do, in expectation that the Son of Man could come at any moment. Blessed are those ready for His return.

Blessed are the awake!

The awake are those who do whatever they do as for the Lord, knowing that, when He comes, they will receive His inheritance as their reward (Col. 3:23-24). The awake are those who recognize they are stewards of the abilities and talents they’ve been graced with by the Master of the house and deploy them in service to His kingdom (Matt. 25:14-30). The awake are those focused not only on investing in their retirement plans but are also intentionally laying up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:20, 1Tim. 6:18-19).

And the awake are those who are blessed.

Oh, to be found faithful. To be doing what I do with an eye towards pleasing my Master. To be mindful of the stewardship He’s given me. To be somewhat aware of the part He’s asked me to be in the Body. To intentionally use what I think are the gifts He’s graced me with in the area of service He’s called me to. All because I awake every morning–not that I do, but that I should–with the thought, “Perhaps today!”

Should the day come before the grave comes, might I be found in anticipation of His return. Might I be found awake. Then blessed will be this servant.

By His grace. For His glory.

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From Super Power to Separated House

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Pete

Chewing on King Uzziah’s story this morning in 2 Chronicles 26. Sixteen years old when he took the throne. Fifty-two years at the top of the food chain. Started well. Ended . . . well, not so well. Taking note, for my own instruction and warning, on what takes a seeker of God from being a super power to living in a separated house.

He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

(2Chronicles 26:5 ESV)

Uzziah sought the LORD, the LORD prospered Uzziah. “God helped him” against his enemies (26:7). And the more he rose as victor, the more nations that paid annual taxes to him. As his fame increased, so did his power. Increased funds led to increased military spending led to increased power led to even greater fame. All because the LORD helped him. Not only was he helped, says the Scriptures, “he was marvelously helped.”

In Jerusalem he made engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

(2Chronicles 26:15 ESV)

A military marvel, Uzziah had built an army that “could make war with mighty power” (v.13). He was a super power in the day.

But . . . oh, that ominous word “but” . . .

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

(2Chronicles 26:16 ESV)

What’s he thinking? He’s a military man, not an anointed priest.

Because he has mastered earth, did he think he could now direct heaven? The super power became super proud. This military genius became incredibly stupid as he walked in unfaithfulness to the God who had “marvelously helped” him.

In his clouded, arrogant, misdirected, egotistical thinking the king reasoned, “If I can build such an army and rule over so many of my enemies, then truly I don’t need anyone to mediate my presence before God. If I am great enough to command such an army, then surely I must be clean enough to walk on holy ground in the presence of God.”

He went into the holy place and offered incense. Uninvited and unconsecrated, his head was so full of his own press clippings that he couldn’t imagine a place too holy for him or any duty beyond his worthiness. His accomplishments so many that entering the sanctuary apart from God’s anointing seemed unnecessary. But he was wrong.

Eighty priests told him he was wrong (v.17-18). And when he responded with arrogant anger at their rebuke, God told him he was wrong, as well.

. . . Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the LORD, by the altar of incense. And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the LORD had struck him.

(2Chronicles 26:19-20 ESV)

Leprous. And not just some scaly skin on his forearm, but “leprous in his forehead!” No doubt now as to his uncleanness. No question now that he was unfit to be anywhere near the holy of holies. The junk that secretly ruled in his heart now the disease that showed plainly on his body. And, knowing the law, he knew that not only was there no place for him in the sanctuary, but, because of his contagion, there was also no place for him within the community. Only a separate house.

And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the LORD.

(2Chronciles 26:21a ESV)

From super power to separated house. Because, when he was strong, he grew proud. When God had shown Himself present and proven Himself faithful, the king received for himself the glory and responded by being unfaithful. When God had “marvelously helped,” Uzziah mistakenly exalted himself and thought he had outgrown the need for anyone to mediate on his behalf.

Oh that I might beware of such arrogance. That I would be kept, in any way, from misinterpreting the Lord’s help for my ability or worthiness. That I would always humble myself in the sight of the Lord, casting myself solely upon His Son and His marvelous help on my behalf. Never forgetting His atoning sacrifice, always acknowledging my need for an eternal Intercessor.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Good, Pleasant, and Fitting

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Pete

Yesterday morning, one of the highlights of my Sunday was singing with the saints. It is every Sunday. There’s just something about hearing voices lifting up the name of Jesus. Something about looking upon the countenance of those who sing songs of remembrance, recalling the finished work of the cross and their victory in Jesus. Something about people speaking to one another in melodic prose of the promises of God. Did I mention Sunday morning music making is a highlight for me?

And I get that I may be a bit more naturally wired for music than others. On a continuum ranging from tone-deaf to virtuoso, I’m more “let’s make melody” than I am “meh!”

But all that being said, I can’t help but lament songless saints. ‘Cause, if I’m picking up what so much of the psalms is laying down, someone who has known deliverance and encountered the God of deliverance should, at the very least, be a closet choir member. And that, because it is good, pleasant, and fitting.

Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
   for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

(Psalm 147:1 ESV)

Sing praises to our God, pens the songwriter, for it is good, it is pleasant, and it is fitting.

Sing because it has intrinsic value. It aligns with the revealed will of God. The same God who looked upon each day of creation and said, “It is good” is the same God who hears from heaven our worship from earth and whispers, “This is good, too!” Though we may not always know exactly God’s will for us, though we may struggle to see what we can do that would please Him, on the authority of Scripture we can always know that when we sing His praise, He declares, “It is good.”

Sing because it is a source of delight. Our sacrifices of praise, the fruit of our lips (Heb.13:15), are pleasant to our God. Think about that. We can do something that delights the God who defines delight. A few feeble notes squeaked out of our vocal chords, when sourced in hearts tuned to declare His glory, brings our God as much pleasure as does the heavenly choir of many tongues that surrounds His throne. God hears our songs and says, “Sweet!”

And not only are songs of praise pleasant to our God, they are pleasant to the saints themselves. After drinking from the fire hose of grace, singing is a much needed release valve for thanksgiving. What a delight to respond. What’s more, how pleasing to be shoulder to shoulder with others as they too use chorus to convey their comprehension of God’s mighty works and of His holy, holy, holy nature. Singing praises to our God is a pleasing experience–both for God and man.

Sing too, because it’s simply the right thing to do. It is fitting. Praise is God’s due. Worship is what is commanded. Offerings are the precedent. Thus, it is our reasonable service. Lepers who are made whole should, when seeing they have been healed, turn back, praise God with a loud voice, and fall at the feet of Jesus giving thanks (Lk. 17:12-19). Those who once walked in darkness, when gathering with other seeing blind people, should welcome every opportunity to, by faith, look into the face of the Giver of sight and declare, “Great are You, Lord!” “I once was blind but now I see” being their tireless anthem of heartfelt wonder and appreciation. Yup, a song of praise is comely, seemly, fitting.

Make melody with your voice because it has intrinsic value. Because it is a source of delight to both God and man. And because it is just the right thing to do.

And then, live in anticipation of another highlight Sunday coming your way.

Singing of His grace. Singing for His glory.

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Our Eyes Are On You

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Pete

Code red! Threat level severe! Enemy forces were coming together against Judah. And King Jehoshaphat, sizing up the tri-nation army being assembled against them, came to a most reasonable conclusion, “We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us.”

Situation desperate. So, what do you do when there’s nothing you can do?

“O our God . . . We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

(2Chronicles 20:12 ESV)

Jehoshaphat was afraid. He had every reason to be. But he “set his face to seek the LORD” and assembled the people to do likewise (20:4). Though the kingdoms of the nations conspired against him and his people, he determined to look to the God of heaven who rules over all the kingdoms of the nations (20:6).

“Our eyes are on You,” declared the king.

Thus, the people cry out to God, and God answers His people.

“Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. . . . Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’'”

(2Chronicles 20:15, 17 ESV)

Okay! That’s encouraging. We’ll stand firm. We’ll hold our position . . . and maybe our breath . . . as we wait to see the LORD’s salvation on our behalf.

But here’s the thing that I’m chewing on this morning. They didn’t wait to worship.

I’m thinking if it were me, I might instead be cautiously optimistic. I wouldn’t want to count my chickens before they were hatched. I’d wait for the win before I sang of the victory. I’d want to actually see the Lord’s deliverance before singing the Lord’s praise. But not Jehoshaphat and Co.

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.

(2Chronicles 20:18 ESV)

They had cried to the Lord. They had heard the word of the Lord. They believed the promise of the Lord. And so they gave thanks for the steadfast love of the Lord (20:21).

The horde was still approaching. They still had to face the enemy. But instead of preparing weapons, they offered up worship. Tactical planning (which would have been of no use anyway against the horde) gave way to heartfelt praising. Instead of putting his best soldiers on the front line, the king instead sent his best singers to go before the army (20:21).

Fear had given way to faith. And faith is the assurance of things hoped for (Heb. 11:1).

Though yet to be fought, the battle was already won. Though the trial was yet to be faced, the outcome yet to be determined, they were convinced that through Him who loved them, they were more than conquerors (Rom. 8:3).

And that, because “our eyes on You.”

Such is the outworking of His abundant grace. That in all things He might receive the victorious glory.

Amen?

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Growing Faith . . . Increasing Love

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Pete

I know there is specific context around the letters Paul wrote to the church of the Thessalonians. That they had been saved out of the world . . . but into the frying pan. The heat of persecution surrounding them from the first day they believed.

Thus, possessing the peace of God but living in a hostile world, to quote Ben Franklin, they had to “all hang together” or “most assuredly” they would “all hang separately.” Point being that the crucible of opposition has a way of becoming a natural catalyst for unity among those being persecuted.

But even with that, as I chew on the opening verses of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, there seems to be a principle embodied within this fellowship that should be true of every gathering of believers. One of a growing faith and an increasing love.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

(2Thessalonians 1:3 ESV)

The work of grace God had begun in this small church, was the work of grace that continued to bear fruit as their faith grew abundantly. They remained steadfast in all the persecutions and in the afflictions they were enduring (v. 4). As each difficult day tested what they said they believed, they became more and more convinced it was true. The Spirit bearing witness with their spirit. The living Christ making Himself known as they abided in Him through every trial. “You ask me how I know He lives,” they might have sung had the hymn been around then, “He lives within my heart!” Their faith was growing abundantly.

But check out what accompanied growing faith. Increasing love. Literally, super-abounding love.

And not just among some of them, but “the love of every one of you” was increasing for one another. Their affection not restricted to their closest friends. Their willingness to serve and sacrifice for others not limited to just their small group. But the love of every one of them was increasing for every one of them.

And I know that these Thessalonian believers needed to hang together, but is it possible that there is a transcendent principle here which should be characteristic of any gospel based community? That abundantly growing faith in Christ manifests itself in super-abounding love for His people. If so, is the corollary then true as well? Show me a fellowship of believers that is not increasing in love for one another, and I’ll show you a body stuck in stagnant, inert belief? I’m thinkin’ . . .

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
~ Jesus

(John 13:34-35 ESV)

How important is love among a church fellowship? Pretty important!

If faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1 NKJV), then, according to Jesus, love for one another is the evidence we are followers of Christ.

Do we love the church more today than when we first believed? I’m thinking it’s evidence of a growing faith. Do we find ourselves increasingly compelled to seek ways to sacrificially serve one another? Then I’m wondering if it isn’t related to the transformation we are promised through the renewing of our mind (Rom. 12:2).

The motto of Village Missions, an organization dedicated to placing missionary pastors in small rural communities with the goal of establishing vital churches, is “Preach the word, love the people.” And Paul says when we increasingly believe His word, then we can’t help but love His people.

Growing faith . . . Increasing love.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Lean On Me

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Pete

Honestly, I don’t think I’m bright enough to pickup on such stuff on my own. When this happens in my morning reading, I really do think it is an encounter of the divine kind.

I’m reading in 2Chronicles this morning and I encounter a synonym for faith that strikes me as unusual, and so I mark it with my light green colored pencil. I read on a bit more, and there it is again . . . and again . . . and again. Four times in these four chapters.

So I do a quick bit of e-concordance work and I find the word only appears 22 times in all of Scripture . . . and nowhere else does it seem to have this sense of trusting in God. Instead it’s used of resting or leaning on something. And as I noodle on it, I’m reminded that my God wants His people to Lean on Me.

Chronicle #1 – Abijah and the army of Judah, 400,000 valiant warriors, defeat Israel’s aggressor army of 800,000 (2Chron. 13). How come?

. . . because they relied on the LORD, the God of their fathers.

(2Chronicles 13:18)

Chronicle #2 – After Abijah’s death, his son, Asa, reigns in his place. And, like father like son, Asa successfully defends himself with an army of 580,000 against an Ethiopian horde of “a million men and 300 chariots” (14:8-9).

And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like You to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”

(2Chronicles 14:11 ESV)

Chronicle #3 – But while Asa started well, and ran well, he didn’t finish so well. In the thirty-sixth year of his reign, Israel again plays the role of aggressor against Judah. They build a great siege work against Judah. And Asa’s response is to purchase mercenary support from Syria. And the LORD, through one of His prophets, calls him on it:

At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He gave them into your hand.”

(2Chronicles 16:7-8 ESV)

Four times in four chapters, the importance of relying on God, leaning on Him, is repeated. Just me reading more into it than I should? Nope!

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him.

(2Chronicles 16:9a ESV)

God is actively looking for opportunities to give strong support. Casting an omniscient gaze back and forth, He’s on the watch for hearts that rely on Him, hearts that are blameless, or at shalom, with Him. Hearts at peace, because they rely on Him . . . because they lean on Him.

Oh, to be such a heart. To trust in the Lord with all my heart, leaning not to my own understanding. Acknowledging Him in all my ways, confident–leaning on Him–to direct my paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

(Hebrews 11:6 ESV)

Rely on Me, says the LORD, Lean on Me.

Yes, Lord!

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Children of the Day

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Pete

We belong to the day. That’s who we are. Reminded of that as I read the first part of 1Thessalonians 5 this morning. So much confusion around identity these days, around what defines us and gives us meaning. And confusion as to who we are, leads to confusion as to how we should live. But that shouldn’t be the case for the Christian.

Our identity is in Christ. We are the people of God. Rescued from the domain of darkness, we have been brought into the kingdom of His Son, the kingdom of light. As Paul reminds me this morning, we belong to the day.

We are of the light. That’s who we are. That’s how we should live. Here’s how I thought about it 5 years ago . . .

—-

The specific subject is the second coming of Christ, a day that “will come like a thief in the night.” Paul says that it will come when most people are least expecting it. They’ll be saying, “There is peace and security” and then sudden destruction will come upon them. Jesus said that it will be like the days of Noah, when people were just doing life up until the flood hit (Matt. 24:38-39). He said it would be just as it was in the days of Lot, when people went about “eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building” until the day that “fire and sulfur rained down” (Luke 17:28-30).

But, says Paul, though the day will come as a thief in the night it should not surprise the believer like a thief . . . it shouldn’t overtake us . . . it shouldn’t catch us off guard. How come? Because, the apostle reminds us, we are children of the day.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

(1Thessalonians 5:1-5 ESV)

And I’m thinking of the implications of belonging to the day (5:8) . . . of having been brought out of darkness into marvelous light (1Peter 2:9) . . . of having once been blind but now I see . . . of being a child of the day.

By God’s grace and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to see things they could never have otherwise seen . . . to know deep things that can never be known by natural man . . . to have a perspective on life which is simply hidden to those who are dead in trespasses and sin. At that moment, when, by faith, I acknowledged the need for a Savior . . . when, through no merit of my own, my sins were forgiven . . . when, due to no effort I could put forth, I was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ . . . at that moment, I was forgiven . . . I was cleansed . . . I was sealed . . . I was adopted . . . and, praise God, I was made a child of the day.

And, says Paul, it should make a difference.

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. . . . since we belong to the day, let us be sober . . .

(1Thessalonians 5:6-8 ESV)

Keep awake and be sober . . . be alert and self-controlled (NIV) . . . stay alert and clear-headed (NLT) . . . no snoozin’ at the wheel (PJC).

What a waste to be children of the day and walk around like people of darkness. How short we fall of our potential in Christ when we take our cues from the world. How under utilized is the mind of Christ we possess, the ability through the Spirit to know the deep things of God (1Cor. 2:14-16), when we, instead, live after the wisdom of men.

Oh to live as children of the day. Awake to the realities of the kingdom of heaven about us . . . doing life with an engaged radar discerning the “truths” fed us by a world cloaked in darkness . . . pursuing that which is of God, letting pass that which is not.

Can’t do it on my own. But children of the day don’t have to. The God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone His light in our hearts, “giving us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ . . . but we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2Cor. 4:6-7). His light . . . his power . . . my holy determination to be awake and clear-headed.

Oh that, as His people, we would continue to seek to live as children of the day in a world which is shrouded in the darkness of night.

To do so by His all sufficient and enabling grace. To do so for His eternal and praiseworthy glory.

Amen?

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The Good Portion

Posted on July 12, 2018 by Pete

She was distracted by many things. Her sister was determined to pursue but one thing. She was anxious, her sister attentive. She was troubled, her sister was tuned in. She welcomed the Savior into her home, her sister welcomed the Savior into her heart.

And her sister had chosen the good portion.

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

(Luke 10:40-42 ESV)

An old, familiar story. But chewing this morning on “the good portion.”

No criticizing Martha for welcoming Jesus & Co. into her home. Who’s going to judge her hospitality? And you kind of get that there was a lot that had to be done to prepare a meal fit for a King. Understandable that Martha might have been in a bit of a tizzy over the “many things” she had to be concerned with.

But one thing, said Jesus, was necessary. While many things may have distracted, there was one thing this encounter of the divine kind demanded.

Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching.

(Luke 10:38b-39 ESV)

There is a time for serving the King, and there is a time for sitting at His feet. This, apparently, was such a time. That, said Jesus, was the one thing necessary. And Mary had chosen the good portion.

You kind of think Martha may have been cut from the same cloth as Peter. I read just last week of Peter’s distracted-ness on the mount where Jesus was transfigured. Not only does he behold Jesus in His glory, but Peter also finds himself staring at Moses and Elijah. And he too becomes distracted with the need to do something–the need to somehow serve. And so, he says to the Lord, “Let us make three tents for you.” To which Luke the commentator editorializes, “not knowing what he said.”

Give your head a shake, Pete! Your in the presence of visible glory. Seeing and hearing things that no man has seen or heard. Privy to conversations impacting eternity. And your immediate thought is what should I be doing?

But then the Voice comes from out of the cloud, and the LORD God informs Peter in no uncertain terms of the proper response when being in such an audience,

“This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”    (Luke 9:35 ESV)

Listen to Him. That was the necessary thing. That was the one thing. That was the thing Mary got. That was the good portion.

To be sure there is a time for serving Him. But how we need to know when it’s the time for sitting at His feet. A time for laboring with all our power, but also a time for listening in His presence.

Oh, to be attuned as Mary was. To know when the time is for sitting at the Savior’s feet. Abiding in the Savior’s word. Choosing the good portion.

By His grace. For His glory.

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