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)

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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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Beyond All Comparison

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Pete

Honestly, do the math and it doesn’t seem to add up. Afflicted in every way + Perplexed + Persecuted + Struck down + Bodies so beat up they look more and more like Jesus’ when He died . . . add it all up and, says Paul, it equals “light momentary affliction.” No way! How’s that even possible?

I’m hovering over 2Corinthians chapter 4 this morning. Chewing again on what it means to be a “jar of clay” (4:7) carrying the treasure of “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (4:6).

And I get, by the very nature of being a jar of clay, we’re going to pick up a chip or two along the way. That, if the jar is being used for its intended purpose to any degree, that it’s likely to develop a few cracks and breaks. And I also get that, in order for the light to shine out from inside the jar, the jar needs to be broken and split open a bit, that these cracks and fissures are needful to expose what’s inside. But call them “light momentary afflictions?” Really?

And I understand how important that perspective is if you’re doing what Paul’s doing, and going through what Paul’s going through in order to do what he’s doing. Hey, I even get how important it is if you’re not Paul and just trying to deal with the things life beats you up with normally. Who doesn’t want to declare with integrity and double conviction, “So, we do not lose heart?” (4:1, 16)

But again, do the math. How does it all add up to “light momentary affliction?” Where are the deposits coming from that offset those kind of withdrawals? What’s filling the tank that’s being drained so regularly that it allows Paul to honestly assert, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day?” (4:16).

It’s not found in doing the math. Instead, it comes from being reminded of the comparison.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

(2Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)

Eternal Redemption vs. Transient Realities? No contest.

Things That Are Unseen vs. Things Seen? Not even in the same ballpark.

Eternal Weight of Glory vs. Being Afflicted, Perplexed, Persecuted, and Struck Down? Beyond all comparison. Makes those things seem like a light momentary affliction.

Paul wasn’t fixated on doing the math, instead he was energized by considering the comparison. Rather than mull over the troubles around him, he set his gaze on what lay before him.

Whatever burden he was called to bear in the here and now, was light compared to the weight of glory that would be his to carry in the there and then. He anticipated the awe and it offset the angst. He set his mind on things above, and the promise, and the Spirit put the things below, and all the pressure, into perspective.

So, we do not lose heart. We keep on keepin’ on. And more than just keepin’ it together, our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Oh, that we would so allow the Spirit to set our hearts on things above. That we would remember we’re not home yet. That we would, even now, sense something of that eternal weight of glory, so that whatever we are dealing with today might be considered but a light momentary affliction.

An old Steven Curtis Chapman song came to mind as I was noodling on this: “No better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven, No better place to be!” Not because the road is easy, but because it leads to an eternal weight of glory.

And that, is beyond all comparison.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Veil Removed

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Pete

He was not to be denied. Wouldn’t be ignored. Nobody, but nobody, was going to “Shush!” him. The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, saw an opportunity (pun intended). And by faith–a loud, boisterous, crying out faith–he was going to seize it.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”   (Mark 10:47 ESV)

As if to reveal the heart of the blind man, Mark records that though Bartimaeus was told it was “Jesus of Nazareth” that was passing by, as he cries out to Him he addresses Him as “Jesus, Son of David.” Light had already begun to penetrate this man’s darkness. He believed that this Jesus was more than just the son of a carpenter, but that He was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

And Jesus stops. Calls the blind beggar to Himself and asks him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man says, “Let me see!!!”

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

(Mark 10:52 ESV)

Amazing! A bit of faith, a whole lot of crying out, and the man once blind sees.

But then, I move on to my next reading and it hits me, this guy ain’t seen nothin’ yet!!!

When Jesus told the beggar delivered from darkness that he had been made well, I think He was referring to far more than just having received the physical ability to see. Jesus knew that, not only had the blind man’s optic nerves been rewired for sight, but that his spiritual DNA had also been so rewired that he was about to embark on a life of insight that he couldn’t even imagine.

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. . . . And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

(2Corinthians 3:16, 18 ESV)

The veil was removed. Not only was the curtain of physical darkness removed from Bartimaeus’s eyes, but the thick veil of spiritual deadness was removed from his heart. And that, says Paul to the Corinthians, “Only through Christ is it taken away” (2Cor. 3:14).

And once that veil is gone, then the glory is revealed. And the glory is capable of being beheld. And the beholder, with eyes increasingly able to behold increasingly intense degrees of glory, is transformed as “from one degree of glory to another.”

The glory beheld is the glory imparted. To see Jesus with eyes that see, to hear Jesus with ears opened to hear, is to be made more and more like Jesus through the Spirit come to make Him known.

I’m not a lot different than Bartimaeus. I think back to that day I first called out to Jesus with some feeble prayer asking for something I had very little understanding of. Reflecting on it, it occurs to me that the only word I got right was “Lord.”

But that was enough. For when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

A sliver of a mustard seed of faith, sufficient in the hands of the Healer to open my eyes and set me on a path of increasing glory. By His grace, to increasingly behold His glory. By His Spirit, to increasingly, in some measure, reflect it.

I once was blind, but now I see.

The veil removed.

By His grace. Beholding His glory.

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Direct Your Heart

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Pete

The crazy cycle of the judges continues in 1Samuel. Israel had again hit rock bottom. Having been handily defeated by the Philistines in a war undertaken in their own strength, the people of God saw the ark lost and the priesthood wiped out in single day (1Samuel 4). The result? Ichabod–“the glory has departed” (1Sam. 4:21-22).

That’s what happens when the presence of God is viewed more as a good luck charm to be rubbed when convenient than a holy privilege to be pursued. When those who should be mediating on behalf of God have grown fat, lazy, and corrupt, content to mock heaven by saying, in effect, “Not Thy will, but mine be done.” Ichabod.

And while the ark is eventually recovered, the vacuum remains and the oppression continues. And so, says the holy record, “all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD” for twenty years (1Sam. 7:2).

They groaned for Jehovah. They mourned to know again the light of His face shining upon them. They cried to heaven to again know the glory. And God graciously responds through Israel’s last judge and first prophet.

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve Him only, and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only.

(1Samuel 7:3-4 ESV)

Samuel, led of the LORD, deals with the heart of the matter . . . literally.

Favor would be found in faithfulness. They would again have His face when He again had their heart. Not some divine quid pro quo, where if we do this then God owes us to do that, but a divine dynamic based on a divine reality–God shares His glory with no other (Isa. 42:8). A heart set on idols, is heart that has no room for God’s glory.

It’s a matter of the heart. Jesus said so.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

(Matthew 5:8 ESV)

And so, we need to direct our hearts.

Those serious about returning to the LORD, those sincerely wanting to know His glory in their midst, are those who realize it starts with directing their heart toward Him. First by dealing with the competing gods. Recognizing and removing those idols which, in effect, dethrone God and deplete time and energy otherwise available to pursue His kingdom. Then by determining, as much as lies within them, to serve the LORD only. To so align their motives that, whatever their hand finds to do, their desire is that it all be done for the glory of God.

If we sense the glory’s departed, then perhaps we need to examine our hearts. If we desire to know afresh His face, then maybe we need to clean house and put away the foreign gods inhabiting our hearts. And this too, by God’s grace and through God’s power.

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)

Direct your heart . . . and He again will deliver you . . . and make known anew His presence.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Rule Breaker

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Pete

OK . . . someone might need to check my thinking this morning. If I’m heading down some erroneous rabbit trail, let me know. But for some reason, as I’m reading the opening chapters of 1Samuel, I end up fixated on what a rule breaker that kid was.

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.

(1Samuel 3:1-3 ESV)

So, as I read the opening verses of chapter 3, this questions pops into my head, “What’s Samuel doing lying down in the temple where the ark of God was?” I know he can’t be in the holies of holies. Maybe it’s not even saying that he was inside the tent, in the holy place where the lamp and showbread were (though maybe it is). But what’s Samuel doing anywhere near the place where the glory of God resides?

First, I don’t think he’s a Levite. 1Samuel 1:1 says his parents were of the tribe of Ephraim. Samuel wasn’t of the tribe God had set apart to minister in the tabernacle– that privilege was specifically given to the tribe of Levi (Numbers 3). Sounds like grounds for disqualification to me.

Then, it occurs to me, he’s just a kid! The “boy” Samuel was ministering to the LORD–that word in the original looks to mean just that, a boy, a lad, a youth. But the Levites had to be 30 years old to enter into service (Number 4). Hmmm . . . . something’s not right here.

And as my “what’s-wrong-with-this-picture” filter continues to scan over these opening chapters of Samuel, I notice he was worshiping before the LORD when just a weaned child (1:28). Really? Can he even understand what he’s worshiping? And as a boy ministering before the LORD (did I mention I don’t think the rules really allowed him to do that?) he’s doing it though he “did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him” (3:7). The kid knew about God theologically (as much as a kid can know), but had yet to know Him relationally.

So again, what’s the kid doing there?

Well, the divine record says he was growing “in the presence of the LORD” (2:21). That he was becoming great “both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man” (2:26). That he was being shaped and formed to be established throughout Israel as “a prophet of the LORD” (3:20). And, evidently, not because he deserved it, not because he covered all the rules, but because he had been chosen for it by the sovereign determination of the Rule-Giver.

And my fixation on the rules of the game gives way to awe and wonder at another reminder of the grace of God.

But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

(John 1:12-13 ESV)

God delights in taking those who would seem to break all the rules and lifting them into a place of promise and privilege. Not because of their qualification, but because of His determination. Not because they fit the mold, but because they were created to bear His image. Not because of their bloodline, but because of the shed blood of God’s Son. Not by the will of man, but by the will of God.

God delights in taking those who were still weak, those who were still sinners, those who were enemies, and reconciling them to Himself through His Son’s death (Rom. 5:6-10). But more than just saving them and reconciling them to Himself–though that would be more than enough to worship Him for throughout eternity–He ransoms them that He might make them “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession” (1Pet. 2:9). Those who fell short of the technical qualifications, now fully qualified in Christ on the basis of His finished work on the cross and through the power of His risen life from the dead.

Maybe the reason I was led to fixate on Samuel’s “unworthiness” to be so near to the presence of God, is so I’d be reminded of mine.

Another rule breaker.

Feebly ministering before the LORD by His grace alone. Brought near, into the holy place, for His glory alone.

Amen?

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A Good Thing

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Pete

Yesterday, I heard of man who doesn’t like singing. Says he’s a believer, but doesn’t like singing . . . not his own, not others. Apparently he’ll listen to instrumental music, but doesn’t listen to, or like being around, melody with lyrics. And to be honest, I wonder how that’s possible? How does a believer not like singing?

Not saying it can’t be. And, I have to admit that I have a pretty strong bias–I’ve always been drawn to music, both pre-salvation and post-salvation. In fact, I can remember the joy when I realized, shortly after turning from the world and turning to Christ, that music wasn’t something that was going to be removed, but something that was going to be exchanged. That, in Christ, the child of God is given a new song to sing.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,
   and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.

(Psalm 40:2-3a ESV)

There’s something about redemption that should result in a response. Something about rescue that should evoke rejoicing. Something about being given new life that’s just going to  bear the fruit of a new song.

And this morning I’m reminded it’s a good thing.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
   to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
to declare Your steadfast love in the morning,
   and Your faithfulness by night,
to the music of the lute and the harp,
   to the melody of the lyre.

(Psalm 92:1-3 ESV)

It is good. It is becoming. It is appropriate. It is pleasant and agreeable. It is rich and esteemed valuable. Beneficial. And just plain the right thing to do.

To give thanks to the LORD. To sing praises to His name. To declare His holy character to the music and melody of instruments.

You can’t get any more biblical than singing with the saints.

So how come this guy I heard about doesn’t have a heart tuned to sing His praise? I don’t know. But there might be a clue in the fact it didn’t sound like he didn’t have a Sabbath cycle. Didn’t sound like he was setting aside time weekly to rest, reflect, and yes, rejoice in the mighty works of God on his behalf.

For you, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work;
   at the works of Your hands I sing for joy.

(Psalm 92:4 ESV)

Psalm 92 says it was a song written for the Sabbath. Written for that time when, weekly, God’s people were to pause, turn towards the temple, and remind themselves of God’s work in creation. That it was a good work. That it was a finished work. That it was a work worthy of resting in. Just like the work of salvation.

Guessing that if we don’t slow down regularly to be reminded of, and to remember, His mighty works, it might be kind of hard to sing for joy about those works. That if we don’t see the value of being with other redeemed souls, we might have a problem to know afresh the awe and wonder that comes from considering the One who redeems.

I get that some may just be more wired to worship in song than others, but I also find it kind of sad to think of songless saints.

Because song born praise is a good thing. A good thing to do individually. A good thing to do corporately.

It is good to give thanks to You, LORD . . . and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

Because of Your grace. All for Your glory.

(Got a few more minutes this morning for a good thing?  Check out Paul Baloche’s take on Psalm 92 by clicking here).

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