Avoid the Pride

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Pete

Let it go, Paul! It’s been four chapters already. Point made. Move on!

Of all the things that were hamstringing the Corinthian church, does division merit this much discussion? Evidently. How I need ears to hear.

If you’re familiar with the Corinth church you know that, while they were “not lacking in any gift” (1Cor. 1:7a), these beloved saints of the Lord were also not lacking in some pretty serious delusion and dysfunction. Tomorrow, I’m going to be reading about how they were proud of “graciously” allowing sexual immorality within their church family, “and that of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans” (1Cor. 5:1). Crazy! Right? But before getting to that — as a seemingly higher priority in dealing with their lack of church health — Paul’s gonna talk about the division in their midst . . . and talk . . . and talk . . . and talk.

The division in their church wasn’t theological and it wasn’t political. It was celebrity-ical. There was quarreling among them as each pledged their allegiance to a well-known preacher. Some followed Paul, some Apollos, and some Cephas, and some pledged faithfulness to just Jesus. And all were guilty of “cutting into pieces” (literal translation) Jesus (1Cor. 1:11-13a). Brothers and sisters hitching their carts to their chosen superstar and pulling apart the body of Christ. Each picking their preferred personality and pummeling the other for picking theirs. And it ends up at the top of Paul’s list to deal with because it was at the core of what would destroy the church’s witness.

And something I read in 1Corinthians 4 this morning sheds light on at the heart of division’s destructive dynamic.

After reiterating the preeminence of the cross preached and not the preachers preaching it; after rebuking the people for their infantile, spiritually immature posture towards proclaimers of the gospel; and after reinforcing that preaching the gospel, as shown by Paul and the other apostles, was about stewardship and not showmanship, Paul exposes the underlying motive of making much of others.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers [and sisters], that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

(1Corinthians 4:6 ESV)

That none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another . . . that’s what I’m chewing this morning.

Here’s Wuest’s literal translation:

. . . to the end that you do not bear yourselves loftily, one on behalf of one individual as against another of a different character.

And here’s how Philips captures it, I think, most clearly:

. . . avoid the pride which comes from making one teacher more important than another.

Avoid the pride . . .

Paul knew that boasting in their favorite superstar was a prideful play to supercharge their own standing. That to be a follower of [pick your favorite preacher, teacher, or theologian] over [pick another exalted preacher, teacher, or theologian] was intended to say more about them as the follower than they as the celebrities.

That when saying, “I am of Apollos” or “I am of Paul” or “I am of Cephas” or “I am of Christ” (as more literally translated), the emphasis was not really on Apollos, Paul, or Cephas, or even Jesus, but on “I am.” On me. On the depth of my spirituality shown by the proclaiming of my allegiance. The intent behind separating celebrities one from another was really to separate their followers from the pack. Thus, causing division. Thus, “cutting into pieces” the body of Christ. Thus, being worthy of Paul’s priority attention and long-form rebuke.

Oh, the sin of pride. Manifest even as we pick a tribe led by our favorite gospel-proclaimer, as too often — if we’re honest with ourselves — we really just want to promote ourselves. And promoting ourselves only leads to division in the church. And division in the church hamstrings one of the greatest “proofs” for the gospel.

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~ Jesus

(John 13:35 ESV)

Avoid the pride.

Okay, Paul. Four chapters. I think I get it. Oh, that I would get it.

By God’s grace.

For God’s glory.

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His Dove

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Pete

The church of God is a mighty church.

Ever heard that sentiment expressed in some manner? What about processing the promise that “we are more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37)? Makes it sound like the bride of Christ is not to be messed with, doesn’t it? After all, Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mt. 16:18). Sounds like a pretty powerful people to me.

But something that popped in reading Psalm 74 has me re-thinking that proposition.

In Scripture, whether Old Testament or New Testament, the Spirit moves men to refer to the redeemed of God in various ways. They’re sheep. They’re a bride. They’re a congregation. They’re a holy temple. They’re sojourners. They’re saints. You get the idea . . . A lot of ways the people of God are described, each metaphor conveying some reality of those God has taken to be as His inheritance (another name for the people of God).

And this morning, I encountered one that I don’t think I’ve really had ears to hear before. Certainly not a word picture I’ve ever chewed on before.

Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to the wild beasts;
       do not forget the life of Your poor forever.

(Psalm 74:19 ESV)

Psalm 74 is another one of those “Where are You, God?” songs. A haunting melody overflowing with “We’re taking it in the teeth, LORD! How long?” lyrics. And so, the pleas to God: remember (v.1); direct Your steps (v. 3); have regard for Your promises (v. 20); arise and defend Your cause (v. 22). And do not deliver the soul of Your dove to the wild beasts.

Your dove . . . hmm, how’s that for a way to refer to the mighty people of God? And lest, we miss it’s intent, how about the parallel term following it to emphasize the point, Your poor?

Kind of comes across more meek than mighty. As more weak than wonderful. As more insipid than inspirational. More a sense of being . . . well, as the songwriter sings, poor than powerful.

Yeah. But “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3). Right?

We’re a dove. A timid, cooing bird amidst wild beasts. A poor and fragile people. Feeble against the flesh. Drooping against the devil. Weak against the world. So how is it the gates of hell shall not prevail against us? How is that we are, in reality, more than conquerors?

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(Romans 8:37 ESV)

Through Him who loved us . . . that’s how the gates of hell shall not prevail.

Not our might. Not our power. Not our advanced degrees of sanctification. Not our self-validating checklists used to prove our justification.

Rather, His dove will prevail against those beasts because their God has promised never to leave her nor forsake her (Deut. 31:8, Heb. 13:5). His power made perfect through her weakness as His grace is shown all-sufficient for her every sorrow, suffering, and sad situation — the power of Christ resting upon her (2Cor. 12:9).

For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself.

(1Samuel 12:22 ESV)

His dove. His frail, and frequently failing people. Yet, a people He is pleased to embrace as His own. Maybe not as mighty as we’d like to think of ourselves, but more loved than we can imagine.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Nothing to Brag About

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Pete

Continuing to read Paul’s opening words to the Corinth church. A church not “lacking in any gift” (1Cor. 1:7). Yet also a church not lacking in any drama, for “there is quarreling among you” (1Cor. 1:11). And that’s the just the beginning of the list of issues Paul’s going to address. I’ve read the letter enough times to know that, beyond the drama and division, we ain’t seen nothing yet! Buckle up! Dis church has a lot of dysfunction.

And so, Paul’s gonna have an exhortation or two along the way. Some to do’s which he will encourage the Corinthians to be doing — and some to stop doing. It’s the first of those “commands to obey” in this letter that causes me to pause this morning.

For consider your calling, brothers . . . (1Corinthians 1:26a ESV)

They were jockeying for position within their ecclesiastical food chain, and that based on who they followed. Quarreling about whether they were disciples of Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) or – for the really spiritual among them — just Jesus. That somehow their Christian celebrity of choice should confer some prestige within their church of choice. To which Paul says, in effect, “You wanna take stock of where you’re at? Think about where you’ve come from.”

Consider your calling. Noodle on who you were. Remember how you ended up where you are.

I’m imagining this conversation . . .

       “Hello, I’d like to apply to be a child of God and a follower of Jesus.”

       “You can’t apply, you must be called.”

       “Okay then, I’m inquiring because I think I sense Him calling.”

       “Alright. Let’s see if you measure up. Would you be considered by this world to be among the brightest and best?”

       “Nope.”

       “How about influential?”

       “Not really.”

       “Do you at least come from a family of standing?”

       “Uh, not so much.”

       “Well then, would foolish, feeble, and/or forgotten by the world fit better with your resume?”

       “Yeah, that’s more like it.”

       “Good! You may be just what we’re looking for.”

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

(1Corinthians 1:27-29 ESV)

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling.

(Agustus Toplady, Rock of Ages)

Consider your calling . . . Nothing to brag about.

Saved only by His grace. Saved only for His glory.

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Words

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Pete

Pause for a moment, and it really is kind of a shocking idea. Consider what’s being said and you can’t help but think to yourself, “Really? How can that be?” Think of the centrality of its place within the Christian experience and you gotta wonder, “Can it really be emptied of its power?”

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

(1Corinthians 1:17 ESV)

Lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Emptied of its power. Made of no effect (KJV, NASB). Voided. Rendered impotent. Trivialized. Emptied of its meaning.

Paul’s talking about the cross of Christ here. The finished work of the Lamb of God. The once for all and forever atoning sacrifice for our sins, “and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1Jn. 2:2). So think, what does it mean for the cross of Christ to be emptied of its power? Unthinkable!

But perhaps more astounding is to realize what could do such a thing? What could neutralize “the power of God” for salvation (1Cor. 1:18). What could void the very thing which mightily and miraculously justifies sinners making them saints?

Words.

Words of eloquent wisdom. Clever and eloquent speech (AMP). A lot of fancy rhetoric (MSG). Wanna turn off the power of the cross? It can happen. With words.

Amazing, isn’t it? The right thing proclaimed in the wrong way can empty that redeeming, reconciling, and regenerating thing of its power.

Not that those who preach the gospel shouldn’t prepare. Not that those who declare Christ shouldn’t engage in due consideration of what is said and how. Not that evangelists shouldn’t be engaging. But if our confidence in the cross’s power to bring life is placed in the ability and power of someone to “bring the message”, then we’ve swapped out Christ’s finished work for our polished words.

If only a “good sermon” is able to bring about a great salvation, then we void the very thing able to make a new creation new. If we think we need a TED Talk in order to deliver from the domain of darkness and transfer to the kingdom of light, then we’ve lost our way when it comes to the power of God for salvation. For then we rely not on the working of the Spirit to fuel the fire of faith but instead depend on the marketing of men to close the deal.

Words. Beware of putting too much weight on words of eloquent wisdom.

Lest the cross Christ be emptied of its power.

And we fail to realize how much, even in sharing the good news, we need His grace.

And we foolishly think that somehow, because of our gift of gab, we deserve some of the glory.

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Strengthened According to the Gospel

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Pete

Two passages from two different readings come together this morning to ignite praise, to prime the pump of gratitude.

O God, from my youth You have taught me,
       and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
       O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim Your might to another generation,
       Your power to all those to come.

(Psalm 71:17-18 ESV)

Old age and gray hairs . . . yup, I’m in that group! More years behind me than remain before me. Grandsons whom I address as “young man”, affectionately referring to me as “old man.” Cheaper haircuts.

Official occupation? Retired.

Unofficial preoccupation? Proclaiming Your might to another generation.

Yesterday was a pretty significant milestone in what’s been a two+ year journey. A journey where, by God’s gracious leading, this retiree found again his place in the body of Christ. A place where there’s opportunity for these gray hairs to help shepherd another generation, proclaiming God’s power to all those to come.

Okay. But where’s the power going to come from for this old man to proclaim His power? For this gray hair not to run out of gas?

Where’s the rest going to be found when the unavoidable weariness is felt? The comfort to be drawn on when undeniable mourning strikes because I’ve again come up short of not only my own expectations but of God’s as well? The sense of worth restored when –not if — I’m battered with feelings of worthlessness and wonder if God’s about done with me? The strength again felt when inescapable weakness is evident because of my failure?

Well, Paul reminds me that it will be found in the same place I need to go when, inevitably, I sin and need a Savior.

Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages . . . to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

(Romans 16:25, 27 ESV)

Strengthened according to the gospel. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The gospel . . . it’s not just for getting into heaven.

Oh, the tragedy of thinking of the gospel as something I needed only for dealing with my past. Of thinking of grace as something needed primarily to become a Christian and not as something desperately required to be a Christian. Of thinking of the cross as something that but allowed me to enter the race and not as a daily (hourly?) needed detour to keep me in the race.

Oh, how this gray hair needs to remember that what begun by faith is sustained by faith. That what begun by responding to the Good News will only be finished by relying on the Good News. That what begun by the Spirit can only be completed by the Spirit (Gal 3:2-3).

While other things might fade because of old age, oh that I would not forget that the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). The power for salvation past, when my sin debt was paid. The power for salvation future, that time when I will be present with the Lord and sin’s presence will be no more. And the power for right now, for salvation today; when, by the Spirit, sin’s power is being weakened, the stranglehold of sin diminished, even as the propensity to sin is still covered by the blood of Christ and the finished work of the cross.

So, Lord, even in old age and gray hairs . . . may I proclaim Your might to another generation . . . strengthened according to the gospel.

That I might always drown in Your ocean of grace.

Even as I long to rise up and ascribe to You unending glory.

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Flourishing Through Favor

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Pete

If I’m picking up what the songwriter’s laying down — if I’m getting what the Spirit’s saying — then, if you wanna change the world, start by focusing on the church. As I hover over the first two verses of Psalm 67 this morning, I’m seeing that a flourishing church is a fruitful church, not necessarily because of the effort it puts forth but — and perhaps most importantly — because of the favor it flourishes under.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
       and make His face to shine upon us,           Selah
that Your way may be known on earth,
       Your saving power among all nations.

(Psalm 67:1-2 ESV)

The song begins with the application of an ancient text. Starts with a plea that a blessing commissioned by God’s prophet (Num. 6:24-26) would be a reality known by God’s people. That words intended by God to “put His name” upon them (Num. 6:27) would, in reality, be a blessing that would actually cover them.

But while the elements of the blessing are recognizable, the order of them has been changed up. And, I’m thinking, there’s something to chew on there.

May God be gracious to us . . . that’s where it starts.

If God’s people want to be a people who desire that God’s way may be known on the earth, if they want to be a magnifying glass which brings into view God’s saving power among all nations, then it starts with may God be gracious to us. It’s not going to be our goodness that makes Him known, but His grace.

Oh sure, we should be getting “good-er.” As the redeemed, we’re no longer slaves to sin. But there’s still something in us, even after decades of pilgrimage towards the promised land, which rears its ugly head and tries to turn us back to Egypt. Something in us which, though we know we are to be not like the nations around us, tempts us to worldly wishes and fleshly ways. There’s still something which, if we’re honest with ourselves, and repentant before our God, must cry out, “God be gracious to us!” And far from that something being our kryptonite, it’s actually our superpower.

A people which daily knows God’s grace are a people primed to daily reflect God’s grace. To the measure we experience afresh undeserved favor, so will be the measure to which we exhibit anew inexplicable flourishing — reflecting love, joy, peace, and patience regardless of the circumstance; kindness, goodness, and faithfulness in and out of season; gentleness and self-control even when the world around us is callous and harsh, agitated and chaotic. God be gracious to us . . . that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among the nations.

We need grace. And there’s no grace needed where there’s no sin present. If we’re not confessing, then how much are we receiving? If we’re not repenting and being forgiven, then what are we making known about God’s saving power?

May God be gracious to us . . .

Flourishing is found through favor.

Favor, only because of God’s grace.

Flourishing, only for God’s glory.

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Awesome?!?!

Posted on March 18, 2025 by Pete

Dissonance. A lack of agreement. A disconnect between what we think to be true and what actually may be true. Inconsistency between what’s heartfelt and what ends up being hard fact. A mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly, a clashing of chords.

Dissonance. Kind of what I experienced hovering over Psalm 66 this morning.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
       sing the glory of His name;
       give to Him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds!

Come and see what God has done:
       He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man.
He turned the sea into dry land;
       they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in Him.

(Psalm 66:1-3a, 5-6 ESV)

Awesome deeds! Twice repeated. Stuff like turning a sea into dry land.

Come and see. Come and say, “How awesome are Your deeds!” I’m in!

Shout for joy! Give Him praise! Let’s do this! Bring on some more of those awesome deeds.

You brought us into the net;
       You laid a crushing burden on our backs;
You let men ride over our heads;
       we went through fire and through water;

(Psalm 66:11-12a ESV)

You brought us into the net? You laid a crushing burden on our backs? You let men ride over our heads? We went through fire and through water?

Clang! Crash! Does not compute! What’s so awesome about those deeds?

Talk about your disconnect. Talk about your inconsistency. Talk about a lack of agreement between what I think should be and what has (too often for my liking) actually been. Talk about some dissonance.

What are these “deeds” doing in a song about praising God for “awesome”?

Keep singing . . .

Bless our God, O peoples;
       let the sound of His praise be heard,
who has kept our soul among the living
       and has not let our feet slip.
For You, O God, have tested us;
       You have tried us as silver is tried.

You have brought us out to a place of abundance.

(Psalm 66:8-9,12b ESV)

Brought us out to a place of abundance . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. And that’s awesome!

I’ve said it before, gonna say it again: God loves us just the way we are and loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Cue testing. Commence refining. And behold God as He bring us out to a place of abundance. Road-tested inside and out, taken to hell and back; finally He brings us to a well-watered place (MSG).

Awesome, huh? Yessir!

Awesome abundance as we come to know Him — like really know Him — in the fire. As we experience Him through the water. His steadfast love taking on a tangibility as it morphs from theory to experienced reality. His all-sufficient grace no longer just a platitude but an actualized, realized promise. The dissonance of whatever we may think “the good life” should be resolving itself with the symphonic delight of knowing what life in Christ can be.

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

(Psalm 66:16 ESV)

And it’s awesome!

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Humbled for Testing (2020 Re-run)

Posted on March 14, 2025 by Pete

Rerunning some thoughts from five years ago — think “quarantine.” Kind of rambling, but I’m taken again by the thought of how we can be humbled by things beyond our control. Five years later, it’s still “unprecedented times” and God’s still “testing you to know what is in your heart.” Search me, O God!

Couldn’t imagine such a little text having such a potentially big impact. Someone I met with Sunday afternoon texted me Monday morning with, “Pete, I am running a low fever today.” Not words you want to hear at this current time in this current situation. So whaddya do?

Stayed home. Canceled commitments. Got myself a Zoom account for a meeting planned that night. Thought lots. Prayed lots. (Oh yeah, and I got my taxes done . . . praise God!).

Not to overuse an overused word, but this really is an unprecedented time. And, as pandemics have a way of doing, I can say, without exaggeration, it’s an unprecedented time for all of us!

So here’s what grabbed me as I was reading this morning:

And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

(Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV)

Not too likely this is going to be a “40 years in the wilderness” experience, but it’s certainly going to be at least 40 days in uncharted territory. In Deuteronomy Moses points out what God was doing to that generation which was just emerging from doing laps around Sinai. Wondering if we might be wise to heed their “lessons learned” as we walk into a season of doing laps around our homes.

God wants to humble us. Uh, mission accomplished. For all the self-determined power we think we might have, all the self-directed freedom we think we’ve created through our own wisdom and works, it’s kind of jaw-dropping what a combo of a few letters and couple of numbers (think COVID-19) can do to turn our world literally upside down. Kind of humbling.

Do you not know? Do you not hear?
       Has it not been told you from the beginning?
       Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is [God] who sits above the circle of the earth,
       and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
       and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
who brings princes to nothing,
       and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

(Isaiah 40:21-23)

Like grasshoppers! Good grief! Who’s gonna name their elite sports team “The Grasshoppers” or their league the GFL? Who’s gonna dedicate their million dollar science and research building to someone named “Grasshopper”? Who’s gonna build a workout facility and call it “Grasshoppers’ Gym”? Unless we specialize in entomology, most of us never think about grasshoppers except maybe, as boomers, when we think Jiminy Cricket, or, as a back-to-the-basics foodies we’re eating them.

God has a way of allowing things to come into our lives, in this case our collective lives, to humble us. Why? To test us. To know what’s in our heart. To shine a spotlight. To do some housecleaning, if necessary.

Pride, be gone. Self-sufficiency, take a hike. Confidence in my material accumulations, don’t look at what’s happening in the market. Instead, look up, look way up. Behold our God!

And He led the children of deliverance into the wilderness to see “whether you would keep His commandments or not.” And as we head into this season of trying to navigate this uncharted territory some of the commandments that might come to mind immediately are: “Fear not . . .” (Isa. 41:10); “Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . ” (Prov. 3:5-6); “Love one another . . . ” (Jn 13:34); “As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone . . . ” (Gal. 6:10); “Be ready with an answer . . .” (1Pet. 3:15).

Unprecedented (there’s that word again) days. Unchanging God. Unfaltering faithfulness. Unfailing hope. Inexhaustible grace.

Humbled so that our hearts might be tested.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
       Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
       and lead me in the way everlasting!

(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

Humbled so that He might be known through our obedience.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” ~ Jesus

(John 10:27 ESV)

Humbled so that we might stand fast.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

(1Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

p.s. Texted my friend before turning in last night. Fever false alarm. Whew!

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There Is No Other!

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Pete

Captured by a twice repeated phrase in Deuteronomy 4. A phrase which will be repeated nine more times in the Old Testament, most often by Isaiah. A phrase which to try and write about is, by it’s definition, impossible. For how do you put into words thoughts concerning something the likes of which there is no other?

Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him. . . . know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

(Deuteronomy 4:33-35, 39 ESV)

There is no other . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

No other. Nothing. None. Nada. Nobody. Zero. Zilch. A big goose egg. Know that the LORD is God; there is no other.

Or, as Barrett put it in his book on God, the one core conviction that the people of God need to have at the core of their being is that “God is someone than whom none greater can be conceived” (Barrett, Matthew. None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God. Baker Publishing Group.) If the wording of that stretches your mind a bit, it’s meant to . . . just as trying to comprehend a God who is like no other is meant to.

It’s what the people who have heard God’s voice are to know. It’s what those redeemed from Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm are to get. It’s what those who have seen the means of deliverance executed on their behalf are to take from it all. That the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

We have heard the voice of God. For “in these last days [God] has spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1). To know the Son is to know the Father (Jn. 14:9-10). Thus, to know Jesus is know that the LORD is God; there is no other.

We have heard the voice of God. For all Scripture is God breathed (2Tim. 3:16). Thus, His voice is heard every time we open our Bibles and experience again an encounter of the divine kind as the Spirit of God in us reveals God through His word, illuminating words, thoughts, concepts, and wisdom communicated directly by the Maker of heaven and earth. How come? So that we might know afresh the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

We have seen the power of deliverance. A blood-stained cross. An empty tomb. A risen Savior. An ever-present Helper. A sure hope. A glorious promise. Knowing firsthand what it means to be a people taken for Himself, a chosen race, a holy nation, a people claimed for His own possession (1Pet. 2:9-10). Before our eyes we’ve seen it, we’ve experienced it. Know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him!

There is no other!

Sit in that for a while. Lay it to your heart. Let it wash over you. Let it waste you. Let it prime the pump of worship within you.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Prepared Beforehand for Glory

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Pete

To be honest, sometimes it can be a bit difficult reading Romans 9. While I’d expect nothing less in a god who is truly God than that He would be incomprehensible and sovereign, some of the implications of incomprehensible sovereignty can be a bit mind-stretching for this mere mortal. While I like the idea of God raising up “children of promise” and counting them as offspring (9:8), it’s a bit harder to settle into the reality of people raised up to be hardened so that God’s power and name would be known in them as objects of wrath (9:17-18). Yeah, there’s a bit to wrestle with here. And wrestling is good. For if I could completely wrap my head around God, He wouldn’t be God.

But, while sometimes I wrestle when reading Romans 9, other times I find a deep rest. While I might wonder at the mysterious ways of a God who is altogether other than us, I also find bubbling up a fountain of worship.

What if God, desiring to show His wrath and to make known His power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy, which He has prepared beforehand for glory — even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

(Romans 9:22-24 ESV)

Vessels of mercy . . . prepared beforehand for glory . . . even us . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

It’s been said by others far more eloquently, but the wonder is not that He chooses not to save some, but that He chooses to save any. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a). The default, logical, and just outcome for a creation which has embraced self-determination, thus rebelling against its Creator, is to end up as vessels of wrath. And yet, our God — who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Ex. 34:6) — in order to make the riches of His glory known purposed to show unmerited favor towards vessels of mercy, determining to display such for all eternity as trophies of His grace (Eph. 2:4-7). Even us.

And so, I pause. I reflect. I marvel. I rest, wonder, and worship at being prepared beforehand for glory.

Why me, Lord? No idea. But oh, so grateful.

Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.
(Rock of Ages, Toplady, verse 3)

Once far off but now brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13). Not because of any merit in myself, but solely because He purposed that I would be a vessel of mercy. Not dependent upon my will and best efforts, but depending only upon the determination of a sovereign, incomprehensible God, “who has mercy” (Rom. 9:16).

Prepared beforehand for glory . . .

What can you say to that? How can you fully fathom that? I can’t.

And I can’t help but jump ahead . . .

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!

(Romans 11:33 ESV)

Resting in His grace. Worshiping for His glory.

Amen?

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