The Table Is Enough

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Pete

He could have wanted more. He could have had more. But for Mephibosheth, the table was enough.

He was the son of Jonathan, the grandson of King Saul. If not for the determined counsel of God, the throne would have been his one day. But it was not God’s will. And the line of the throne was transferred to David after Saul’s rebellion and disobedience to God.

It wasn’t even God’s will that Mephibosheth should be able bodied. When he was five years old, just after his grandfather and his father had been slain in battle, his nurse fled with him in case someone determined to entirely eradicate all competition for the throne. So she took him up, “and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame” — as in “crippled in both feet” lame (2Sam. 4:4, 9:13).

But King David had shown him kindness for Jonathan’s sake (2Sam. 9:1).

Beyond allowing him to live, and thus potentially compete for the throne, David also allowed him to keep the land which was his inheritance. But, what was over the top, is that the king invited this guy who was lame in both feet, who couldn’t do anything but crawl to get himself anywhere, to reside in the palace and to dine each night at the table. The table which covered his immobilizing defects. The table, the place he would partake of a feast fit for a king in the presence of the king.

But when David had to flee because of Absalom’s coup, Mephibosheth could have seen an opportunity to have more. Perhaps the dysfunction in the line of David might provide an opening for the line of Saul to be re-established. That’s what Mephibosheth’s traitor servant, Ziba, told David when David asked why the young man was not fleeing with him. And so David, gave the inheritance to Ziba.

But, for Mephibosheth, the table was enough.

Reading this morning that from the day David fled Absalom until he safely returned, Mephibosheth “had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes” (2Sam. 19:24). He had known the abundant grace of the king’s table, he wouldn’t attempt to usurp the king’s throne. And so he mourned and fasted as the king was absent from his rightful place as sovereign.

Then, upon David’s return, and with the treachery of Ziba exposed, David, in a rash attempt of justice, decided that Mephibosheth and Ziba should split the inheritance and “divide the land.” To which Mephibosheth replied, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home” (2Sam. 19:29-30).

He could have had more–at least half the land. But the table was enough.

How come?

For all my fathers house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?”

(2Samuel 19:28 ESV)

Doomed to die.

For the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23a ESV)

Lame in both feet, unable to do anything to earn or merit the king’s favor.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6 ESV)

Of a competing line of leaders, the natural enemy of the king.

. . . while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son . . . (Romans 5:10a ESV)

But, all praise be to God, he had a place at the table!

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus . . . (Matthew 9:10 ESV)

The table is enough.

Nothing more we could want. Nothing more we could have.

Because of the King’s abundant grace. All for the King’s everlasting glory.

Amen?

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The Possibility and The Power

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Pete

It really is an incredible aspiration. One of those goals that’s so out there, you wonder if Paul was serious about thinking anyone could attain it. But if Paul wasn’t serious, then he’s being somewhat melodramatic with the Galatians. A little over the top with his “tummy ache” analogy if he believes, deep down, that what he’s hoping for is really a long shot.

But what if Paul’s “drama” is founded? What if the heavy affliction he said he felt he actually felt. What’s more, what if it was justified because the outcome he longed for in their lives was achievable? Then it should cause me to pause. To be in awe of the possibility. And, what’s more, to be in fresh wonder at the power.

It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

(Galatians 4:18-20 ESV)

Paul likened it to labor pains. The anguish of childbirth. I’ve been present for five of those. Glad I was the coach and doing the empathizing and not the carrier and the one doing the delivering. The pain of childbirth is an excruciating pain. And that’s how Paul describes the inner agony he had for his children in the faith. And how come? Because he wanted to see Christ formed in them.

Chew on that. Christ formed in them.

The Son of God’s life visible in their life. Jesus the Messiah mirrored in men and women. His mind, His heart, His passion, His priorities–all fully developed in those He redeemed. That’s what Paul sought for those He had led to faith in Christ. And not as some pie-in-the-sky-in-the-sweet-by-and-by-but-probably-won’t-ever-happen outcome. No, Paul’s birthing symptoms were real because he knew that the possibility of Christ formed in you was real.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(Romans 8:28-29 ESV)

The Galatians were called according to God’s purpose. And that purpose entailed the possibility of being conformed to the image of His Son. No wonder Paul was sick to his stomach at the thought they were being derailed from God’s grand possibility.

But here’s the other thing that hits me as I noodle on this. Paul wasn’t telling them to do more in order to achieve their potential. Rather, it was to believe again in the power of the gospel.

What had begun by faith, would be completed through faith. They had received the Spirit because they believed the gospel, and Christ would be formed in them as they continued to believe the gospel.

That’s why Paul was so bent out of shape at those who corrupted the gospel with the law. Who, in anyway, even insinuated that what had begun as a work of God could somehow be completed as a work of man.

The power of the gospel is a salvation for everyone who believes. A salvation from sin past, to a glory future, with a metamorphosis toward Christ-likeness in the present. A gospel which promises the righteousness of His Son, available to everyone who believes. A righteousness that is “from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith'” (Rom. 1:16-17).

The gospel that justifies is the gospel that sanctifies. The power that declares us righteous in Him, is the power which makes us righteous through Him.

Christ increasingly formed in us is the possibility. The gospel of Christ is the power for us.

A possibility because of grace. A power to make known His glory.

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People Like Me

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Pete

So, away on vacation I’m reminded that while I might like to think consistent devotions are a matter of spirituality and discipline they may be more about solitude and the absence of other desires.

Being with my girls, their husbands, and my grandchildren is such a blessing. But with the time zone change, we have some west coast toddlers without much regard for Hawaiian time. Thus, our days together, and I mean together together, start early . . . and I mean early early.  But the rewards of grandson huggle time are great . . . and I mean great great!  However, while fitting in a few minutes of reading time isn’t that hard, time at the keyboard can be a bit more challenging . . . and thus more sporadic.

This morning, though, it’s still quiet here (praise God for the discovery of a playground within walking distance that’s empty at dawn . . . and I mean dawn dawn) and so I’m chewing on David’s life in light of a book I just finished about someone else’s life.

The memoir I read was by someone who was quite influential in my life back in the ’80’s through a book he wrote. Didn’t know much about the man then except for the bio on the back cover and whatever I imagined his life to be like based on the thoughts and experiences he shared. In a nutshell, I imagined him to be a spiritual powerhouse, yet, after reading his memoir, his life, in many respects, was one train wreck after another–personal failure, family tragedy, repeated brokenness. And yet, the enduring under-current is one of faith, one of redemption, and one of God’s amazing grace in, repeatedly, making beauty out of ashes.

Kind of like King David’s life.

To be honest, I’m not really a big fan of the latter chapters of 2Samuel. Heroes and happy endings are supplanted by clay feet and family dysfunction. Starting with David’s sin with Bathsheba, just like the memoir I read, it’s just a series of train wrecks.

As if adultery and murder weren’t enough, then there’s incestual rape, murderous revenge, passive, ineffective leadership, and treacherous rebellion. All resulting in today’s reading (2Samuel 14-15) where David flees Jerusalem trying to ensure that his son’s coup remains a bloodless one (can’t wait until tomorrow’s reading.  Heavy sigh!)

Yet such are the people, the families, and the situations that remind us of a sin-corrupted world, God determines to use for His purposes and His glory. Just like the memoir I read. Reflective I’m thinking, to some degree, of our own lives.

Maybe that’s why something else I read this morning resounded so loudly.

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abrahams offspring, heirs according to promise.

(Galatians 3:24-29 ESV)

Our Savior became a curse to redeem us from the curse of train wreck lives (Gal. 3:13).

As such, our standing before Him is not dependent upon how much we have our act together, or can keep it together. Instead, we are justified by faith–and faith alone.

And despite sorrows, sufferings, and tragic situations–some of our own making, others not–we remain children of God because of that faith–and that faith alone.

What’s more, the balances of our lives, those we tend to look at to weigh the good, the bad, and the ugly, at the end of the day really mean very little for “if you are Christ’s, then you are . . . heirs according to promise.” Not according to our performance, not according to other’s approval and praise, not according to our view of what the perfect life should look like . . . but according to His promise. And that too, we cling to, and rest in, by faith alone.

Overwhelmed this morning by God’s grace and the people He uses–people like me–for His glory.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Amen?

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Proactive Praise

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Pete

Would it be true to say that, most often, we praise God after something He’s done? That we thank Him, usually, as a response to having received? Not saying this isn’t right. Throughout the psalms there is exhortation to sing His praise as we remember His acts of deliverance. Worship is evoked as we reflect on His mighty works. But something the songwriter pens in Psalm 108 grabs me this morning and has me chewing on how good it is to practice proactive praise.

My heart is steadfast, O God!
   I will sing and make melody with all my being!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
   I will awake the dawn!   (Psalm 108:1-2 ESV)

David woke up singing! Rolled out of bed and struck up the band. Harp! Do your thing! Lyre! Come alive! Time to get up sun, we’ve got some praisin’ to do!

Ok, maybe not quite like that. But the songwriter’s picture is certainly one of starting the day with some serious worship going on.

I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples;
   I will sing praises to You among the nations.
For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
   Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let Your glory be over all the earth!   (Psalm 108:3-5 ESV)

And this start-the-day-with-praise attitude is all that more incredible when you consider that the season David is experiencing is not a “mountain top” one. In fact, there’s a war going on . . . literally. Later in the song he’s petitioning God for deliverance and help against his enemies. David’s doing hard life but still wakes up singing. How come?

My heart is steadfast, O God!

A steadfast heart, it seems, is an effective catalyst for proactive praise.

Firmly fixed on Jehovah. Securely determined to believe He is always in control. Unwaveringly confident that God is good . . . and good all the time.

If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31) If the LORD really is my light and my salvation, if He truly is my stronghold, then whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1) If no one can snatch me from the Great Shepherd’s hand (Jn. 10:29); if the One in me is greater than he who is in the world (1Jn. 4:4), then why wouldn’t I, despite the current season or circumstance, awake the dawn with thanksgiving and worship?

If I believe all that to be true, then my heart will be steadfast. My stability found in Him and Him alone.

And from a steadfast heart, proactive praise can usher in my day.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Content? Really?

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Pete

Been hovering over one of those “shadow” verses. You know, the verse right after the one that everybody knows. Verses like John 3:17 . . . Philippians 1:22 . . . Ephesians 2:10. Verses like 2Corinthians 12:10.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2Corinthians 12:10 ESV)

After the all sufficient grace of verse 9, after the reminder of His power made perfect in our weakness, after boasting all the more gladly in frailty, feebleness, and even failure, I’m a bit stuck on Paul’s “so what” conclusion.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content . . .

Content? Really?

Can I go there? Content with my weaknesses, my hardships, my calamities?

Harder question to grapple with if I consider other translations. “I delight” (NIV). “I take pleasure” (NKJV, NLT, CSB). “I am well pleased” (YLT).

Ok. I’m not going to there. We’ll deal with “taking pleasure” or “being delighted” another time. For now, I’m just gonna chew on being content.

Even as I’m writing this, in the background Audrey Assad is singing, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.” Is that what Paul is talking about? Is that the contentment he knew even with his nagging thorn in the flesh? More than just enduring resolve, is that the ability to embrace even the hard stuff because, through it, we experience the presence and power of God? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Content, not because it feels good. Content, not because I know it’s all gonna work itself out and go away. But content, for the sake of Christ.

If my greatest desire is to make Him known, weakness, and hardship, and calamity sets a pretty good stage for that to happen. If my heartfelt purpose is that He must increase and I must decrease, then anything which serves to demonstrate that His grace REALLY IS sufficient has to be a good thing. Something I can be content in. Who knows, maybe even something I can take pleasure in, or delight in (oops . . . said I wasn’t going to go there).

For the sake of Christ. Beyond myself and my comfort and my desires, but given over to Him, His purposes, and faith in His promised determination to complete a work in me which He has started for His own glory. For the sake of Christ.

Not looking for the “secret sauce” of contentment, necessarily. But it seems to me that a “well soul” is probably somewhat dependent on a well-focused desire–that in all things He be made known. If hard times are the platform for that to happen, then I can rest in them.

In my weakness, His strength. In my desert, His fountains. In my struggles, mercies new every morning and a constant reminder His great faithfulness.

And in that, there really is a contentment. (Delight? Pleasure? Might take a bit more to get me fully there).

Because He is God. Because He is good. Because His power really is made known in my weakness.

Thus, I can be content. Really!

Such is the nature of all-sufficient grace. To Him be all-deserving glory!

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Where Else Could I Go?

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Pete

Devo’ing in a different time zone this morning. Chewing on the word on the shores of Maui. Will be, Lord willing, for the next few weeks. May has always been Sue’s month — her birthday today, Mother’s Day, and then our anniversary on the 30th. It will be this year too. Thanking God for this place, its memories, the sound of the ocean, and His abundant blessings. If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking . . . (How He Loves, John Mark McMillan)

——————————-

To say that the day wasn’t a good day for David & Co. would be an immense understatement. By God’s grace they had just averted the uncomfortable position of having to go out with the Philistines and fight against Israel. (That could have been awkward. Wonder what David was thinking? How was he gonna get himself outta that mess?) So you think there might have been a spring in their step as he and his men anticipated returning to their families at Ziklag after being dismissed by the Philistine commanders. But not so fast . . .

And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.

(1Samuel 30:3-4 ESV)

Like I said, not a good day for David & Co.

From the heights of deliverance to the depths of disaster. Having dodged the bullet with the Philistines only to be manhandled by the Amalekites. Wives gone. Sons gone. Daughters gone. Everything up in smoke, only ashes remaining. What’s a guy to do on a day like that?

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

(1Samuel 30:6 ESV)

David was greatly distressed. Ya’ think? The invisible weight on his chest almost prevented him from breathing. His stomach churning so that he could barely stand upright. The thoughts running rampant through his mind, worst case scenarios flooding his senses. Never experienced quite what David did, but I can imagine.

So what do you do when your knees are weak, your breathing is shallow, and your eyes can’t focus?

But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Nowhere else to turn. Nothing else to do. But to cast yourself on the One who called you. To look to the One who has, time and again, made Himself known to you. To trust in the One who has promised you.

Not the first time David had to find strength in the Lord. While on the run from Saul, while hiding out in the wilderness of Ziph, with the king in pursuit of his life every day, Jonathan had met David in the woods “and strengthened his hand in God” (23:16). This time, though, no Jonathan. No anybody, because all his men were ready to turn on him for their loss. And so David turned to the only place that was sure, to the only One who was forever faithful, to his Rock, to his Refuge, to his Fortress.

Where else could he go?

Reminded me of an old southern gospel song (surprise, surprise!).

Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptation so
Now won’t you tell me
Where could I go, but to the Lord

Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God’s own word
Yet when I face that chilling hand of death
Won’t you tell me
Where could I go, but to the Lord

Where could I go, oh where could I go
Seeking the refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Won’t you tell me
Where could I go but to the Lord
                                                                          – James B. Coats

Something about weakness that has a way of revealing His power. Something about trials that remind us He is true. Something about pressure that awakens us again to His presence.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.    ~ Paul

(2Corinthians 12:9, 10b ESV)

Strengthen yourself in God.

Where else could I go?

To know such grace. To be reminded of such glory.

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Abigail

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Pete

Did I just see Jesus? Was He foreshadowed in a no-name, non-descript woman whose name pointed to her father’s joy? A lady who rises up seemingly out of nowhere to redeem an entire household? A gal identified with a worthless man and yet willing to step up to save his skin? A woman of great wisdom? A woman of great compassion? A woman of great resource? A woman who not only saves a house, but also keeps a would be king from bloodguilt? Did I just see Jesus?

Hmmm . . . I’m thinkin’ . . .

When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt.”

(1Samuel 25:23-24a ESV)

On me alone be the guilt. Those are the words that grabbed my mind’s eye this morning to behold Jesus.

Abigail, whose name means “my father is joy,” would have brought her father great joy if he could have seen her willingness to fall on her sword for the sake of her husband, Nabal, the fool. She was ready to bear the guilt for her worthless husband (the Scripture’s assessment, not mine) and for his entire household who, by association, were also under the curse of his guilt because of his greed-driven, bone-headed arrogance.

She sought to atone for their guilt at great cost–” two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs.” She would give of her best for the sake of the worst, in order to redeem from egocentric rebellion.

“On me alone,” she says, “be the guilt.” She who was without guilt was willing to take on the guilt of another.

And He who knew no sin, was made sin for us (2Cor. 5:21). The One in whom even the Roman governor could find no guilt, became a curse for us (Gal. 3:13). Though Jesus was rich, yet for our sake He became poor (2Cor. 8:9). Though the Christ was without blemish, He offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, giving His life in exchange for ours as the once-for-all atoning sacrifice (Jn. 1:29, 1Jn. 4:10).

But not only a bearer of guilt. Beyond being an offerer of sacrifice. Also an intercessor on behalf of others.

“And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant.”  ~ Abigail

(1Samuel 25:27-28a ESV)

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  ~ Jesus

(Luke 23:34 ESV)

Oh, if Nabal could have seen his wife stand before David’s wrath-filled army of judgment. If he could have seen her willingness to bear his guilt. If he could have looked upon the abundant provision she brought as a sin offering. If he could have heard her words, “Please forgive the trespass of your servant.”

Then, might he have said, “How amazing is this lady!”

Oh, that we would consider again our Savior during those hours of darkness upon the cross when He bore the righteous wrath of the Father for our sin–hear afresh His cry, “My God, my God why have You forsaken Me?” That we would know again the guilt He bore for us. Be reminded afresh of the cost of His great sacrifice in order to redeem our lives. And hear once more His cry on our behalf, “Father, forgive them!”

Then would we declare again, “How awesome is our Savior!!!”

Yeah, I think I just saw Jesus.

In all His grace. To Him be all the glory.

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Common Consideration

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Pete

I think you could say that Psalm 104 deals with the theme of what’s referred to in theological terms as “common grace.” That provision of God available to all mankind. Divine realities whose benefits are experienced by everyone, regardless of whether they believe or not. Common because they are the things we wake up to every day, and go to sleep with every night.

But as I hover over Psalm 104, it cries out, “Ain’t nothin’ common about this grace!”

While it might be enjoyed by all, the songwriter seems to be reminding me this morning that there is nothing “un-special,” or second-rate, or to be taken for granted, about God’s day-in-day-out provision to those who inhabit earth. In fact, if I’m picking up what the psalmist is laying down, even pausing for but a brief moment to consider the wisdom of God in the mechanics of creation should elicit awe and wonder and a hearty, “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

The song chronicles various aspects of “the manifold works” of God (v.24). Love that word manifold. Many in number. Different in type. But all, if we’ll take but a moment to consider them, a powerful indicator of a Creator purposing to love and provide for His creation.

He set the earth on it’s foundation, determined the topography of mountains and valleys, set their boundaries as he determined. He made the moon and the sun. The moon to mark the seasons. The sun to rise and set to mark each day.

What’s more, he purposes to satisfy the earth with the fruit of His work. He makes springs to gush forth in the valley, so that every beast might drink and quench their thirst. He causes the grass to grow which feeds the livestock. It’s by His design and provision that plants grow for man to cultivate so that there is food to eat, wine to gladden the heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the heart. And the sea? Well it teems with “creatures innumerable.” And all these, the songwriter declares, “These all look to You, to give them their food in due season.”

No wonder the psalmist sings at the top of his lungs,

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
   O LORD my God, You are very great!   (Psalm 104:1 ESV)

While we tend to take common grace for granted, there is enough material in this common grace to sing to the LORD for a lifetime (v.33). Enough to consider to evoke praise despite the season or circumstance.

And here’s what grabbed me in particular this morning: the thought that God just might find pleasure in such common consideration.

May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.   (Psalm 104:34 ESV)

To consider the mundane. To stand in awe of the predictable. To look upon daily realities and wonder at the divine dynamics behind it. That, it would seem, might bring pleasure to the God who is very great.

To be still, and know that He is God. As we look to the heavens which declare His glory. As we walk another day on the earth which speaks of His power. And as we, without thought, breath the air which reminds of His faithful provision. With such consideration of the common, with such common consideration, might we too join in the song.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
  Praise the LORD!    (Psalm 104:35b ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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First to the Lord

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Pete

Is seems that, by any measure, the churches in the province of Macedonia weren’t particularly well off churches. In fact, for most they would have been known for the affliction they endured and the poverty they dealt with. Their trials were severe. Their destitution extreme. On any Sunday, you’re thinking their offerings would have been relatively small. And yet, Paul holds them up as examples of overflowing generosity.

They heard of the need in Jerusalem and they begged to be part of any plan to help the suffering saints there. Rather than feeling pressured into responding to the need, they considered it a privilege to be able to participate in providing some relief. And so, not only where they willing to give out of what they had, but with abundant joy they gave beyond what they had. “They gave offerings of whatever they could–far more than they could afford!” (MSG)

I’m hovering over the opening verses of 2Corinthians 8 this morning and chewing on what made these Macedonians tick. Not only did they give more than they could afford, it was way more than what Paul would have expected of them to give.

So how come? What compelled these impoverished saints to give so willingly and so sacrificially? What was it about them, that allowed Paul to hold them up as an example to the Corinthians (and to us) of such great generosity?

I’m thinking a clue is found buried in verse five.

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints–and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

(2Corinthians 8:3-5 ESV)

Taking up an offering for the Jerusalem saints wasn’t their first rodeo. Not the first time they had responded to the opportunity to give sacrificially. In fact, giving out of their poverty, writing a check in their affliction, just seemed like the thing you’d do when you had already given yourself first to the Lord.

And I’m thinking there’s a correlation between how we “tithe” of ourselves to the LORD and how we give of our means to His kingdom. If we’re not really willing to give the best of ourselves to Him, then we may not think in terms of freely giving of the first fruits of our wages to Him. If we’ve only opened up some of our heart to Him, then I’m guessing He may only have access to some of our bank accounts. If we’re holding back areas of our life, then we’re probably inclined to hold back parts of our portfolio. If we’re reluctant to fully respond to His abundant and lavish grace, then it’s likely we’ll be reluctant to fully respond with abundant and lavish grace.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying this should be easy. This is Spirit empowered giving . . . concerning both ourselves and our means. But I’m saying that we should aspire that it be so. And that we start with sincere desire to give ourselves first to the Lord. And then, by His transforming power and grace, we can “excel in this act of grace also” (v.7).

That’s why Paul wouldn’t command the Corinthians to money-up (v.8). But wanted their financial giving to be voluntary, and thus, a test of the authenticity of their love. To be sure, a test of their love for other saints, but, I think, first and foremost a test of genuine love for the Lord. To show that they could gladly part with their money because they had already joyfully purposed to part with their lives as a response to Jesus giving His life for them.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.

(2Corinthians 8:9 ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

(Romans 12:1 ESV)

May it be our desire to give ourselves, and keep on giving ourselves, first and fully to the Lord. Then, I’m thinking, the giving of our treasure, as well as the giving of our time and talents, will look after itself.

All by His abundant grace. All for His all-deserved glory.

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Reject the Spirit of Saul

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Pete

His daughter loved the guy (1Sam. 18:20). His son’s soul was so knit to him that he was ready to hand over his inheritance to him (1Sam 18:1-4). But their father, King Saul, well, he determined to be David’s enemy continually (1Sam. 18:29). And honestly, as I chew on Saul’s reaction to David’s success, I can’t help but pity him. A slave to his feelings, in chains because of his ego, he fought against the one he should have loved.

Because of Saul’s inclination toward sort of obeying, his imitation of sacrificial offering, and his determination towards self-justifying, the LORD purposed to remove Saul from the throne of Israel and set a man after His own heart in Saul’s place (1Sam. 13:14, 15:22-23). And David is eased into Saul’s house as a lowly servant, but bursts upon Israel’s stage as a mighty soldier. And Saul couldn’t deal with being upstaged.

He’s fit to be tied when he hears the women singing, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (18:7). His unbridled ego spawns the disease of jealousy and rage burns towards his most accomplished servant. “From that day on,” says the holy record, “Saul eyed David” (18:9). Rather than look upon him with admiration and appreciation, he looked at him with an evil, spiteful, malicious, and envious eye.

And what makes so little sense is that, as Saul watched David’s success, he knew the LORD was with David (18:12, 28). It was evident by what David accomplished. But it was also familiar, for Saul too had once known what it was for the LORD to be with him (10:9-10, 11:6). And rather than repent, it says that he was afraid of David. And instead of that fear humbling his heart towards God’s chosen man, he determined instead to set his face, his will, and his strength against the man after God’s own heart.

“Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence . . . ”

(1Samuel 18:12-13a ESV)

He removed David from his presence. God’s chosen, rejected by Saul. The object of the Spirit’s anointing, the target of Saul’s scorn. The person upon whom the power of God was present, banished from the king’s courts.

How tragic! Saul the mighty, victor over thousands, had fallen victim to his own press clippings, to his own self-aggrandizement, to his own ego-enslaved heart.

And I wonder how many reject Jesus for the same reason?

Though something deep down whispers that this Man really is the Man of God’s sending. That more than just a Man, He really does present as the Son of God. And more than being the Son, that He just may be the Savior that men know in their hearts they need to remedy their sin and the brokenness that comes from sin.

Jealous of His righteousness for it reveals the wickedness lying below their own pretense of self-righteousness. Afraid of His claim to not only the throne of heaven but to the throne of every man and woman’s heart, they banish Him from their lives. Their prideful self-importance and self-sufficiency such that, instead of bowing knee, they instead shake their fist.

How tragic!

Oh that men might reject the self-absorbed spirit of Saul and instead be wooed by the Spirit of a loving God.

“Come to me, all 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 ESV)

Such is His great grace. To Him be all glory.

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