Filling Jars and Seeing the Glory

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Pete

The glory was manifest that day. And while the disciples had front row seats, what’s capturing my thoughts are the no-name servants who were actually “on stage” as part of the drama. So this morning, I’m thinking about the connection between filling jars and seeing the glory.

Jesus had RSVP’d in the affirmative . . . with a +12! His disciples would also accompany Him. They all would attend the wedding at Cana in Galilee. They would all hear of things going south as the wine vats were going dry. And they would all look on as mom whispered to Jesus, “Please do something!”

Though it wasn’t yet “His hour”, the Creator of the process that made it possible for water to fall onto soil, release nutrients that could then be absorbed by a vine, which, in turn, would produce grapes, which could then be made into wine, this Creator consented to bypass the natural so that His glory might be manifest. But the disciples weren’t the only ones who would see the miracle.

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom . . .

(John 2:5-9 ESV)

The servants were pretty much nobodies. They were at the wedding only to do the bidding of others. To take commands and perform them. But though the invited guests wouldn’t know where it came from; though the master of the feast couldn’t figure out how such quality beverage had been held back for so long; though even the bridegroom had no idea how this new wine (which made what he had brought seem like the cheap stuff) had appeared on the tables, the nobodies who had drawn the water knew. Along with the disciples, they were eye-witnesses to the glory manifested.

And I’m thinking about the connection between serving Jesus and seeing the glory.

Though the task might seem insignificant–“Fill the jars with water” . . . “Dip some out and take it to the M.C.” . . . “Do whatever He tells you”–though others have no idea what we’re doing for Him, the very fact that He’s speaking to us and we’re listening to Him sets the stage for seeing the glory.

Proximity to Deity always has the potential to deliver on awe. Though we might rarely see the kingdom connection with our ordinary acts of obedience, when, on occasion, He graciously permits us to see the plain water we poured in, come out as the exceptional wine He’s chosen to make apart from “due process”, then we see the glory. The bit part He’s asked us to play in the drama puts us in a position to see the story unfold from the closest of vantage points. Because we were there, though we were unseen, we get to see what many miss–the glory manifested.

I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

(Psalm 84:10 NLT)

A doorkeeper in the palace gets to see the King every so often. A servant of the Master is privileged with an insider’s view of the Master’s business. And a filler of jars might, on occasion, be the presenter of a fine wine that blesses others. The Source of which few even recognize. But the servant beholds the glory manifested.

According to the Master’s grace. Always for the Master’s glory.

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Come and See

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Pete

Three words caught my attention this morning. Ten letters jumped off the page. And as I chewed on them I wondered if they hadn’t been food for a morning meal before. Sure enough, they were food for thought back in 2009. Encouraged today by what I wrote back then. Thought I ‘d “re-plate” those thoughts a bit and serve them up again . . .

——————————-

Wrapping up the first chapter of John’s gospel this morning. And as I’m reading about Jesus’ encounter with Nathanael it occurs to me that there may lie within the story an all encompassing principle for getting to know Jesus . . . Come and see.

John 1:43-51 starts out with a bunch of “finding.” Jesus found Philip and says to him, “Follow Me.” Then Philip found Nathanael. And Philip says to Nathaniel, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (That’s probably a devotion in itself, who found who? But that will be for another time.)

But Nathanael isn’t so quick to go find Jesus . . . or be found by Jesus . . . or whatever. Instead, Nathanael says, “Hold on. You found the One Moses and the Prophets foretold? You found Messiah? And He’s Jesus of Nazareth? Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Some would say that Nathanael’s objection or skepticism was because Nazareth isn’t mentioned in the Old Testament in connection with the Messiah. In fact, as near as I can see, it isn’t mentioned in the OT at all. Maybe Nathanael’s thinking, “No way, not from Nazareth. Messiah will hail from Bethlehem.” Others say the objection is based on the fact that Nazareth didn’t have a very good reputation. It was the “other side of the tracks”, the rougher part of town. Nothing useful or beneficial could come out of a place like Nazareth–certainly not Jehovah’s Anointed One.

Whatever the reason for Nathanael’s hesitation, he wasn’t about to join Philip and become part of the “I Found It” movement.

But it’s Philip’s response to Nathanael that has me thinking.

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”     (John 1:46b ESV)

Come and see. How brilliant is that?

Philip didn’t try to engage Nathanael in debate. Wasn’t interested in defending Nazareth as a good place for Messiah to hail from. He resisted any temptation to scold Nathanael for being a skeptic. Instead he just said, “Come and see.”

“Check it out for yourself,” Philip says in essence, “Come meet Him. Talk with Him. Learn about Him. See Him in action. And then decide.”

And that, it would seem, is at least one of the reasons why Nathanael is included in the gospel narrative–to give us the “come and see” approach to knowing Jesus. After this encounter, Nathanael is mentioned only one other time at the end of John as being with Peter and some others when they encountered the risen Christ on the beach after a fruitless night of fishing.

And I can’t help but think that this come and see way of knowing Jesus isn’t just for the non-Christian skeptic, it’s for me too. That sometimes I may need to recognize when skepticism is impacting my walk of faith. Times when I might be over thinking things, or under believing His claims.

Through Christ I can do all things? Really? Come and see.

His grace is sufficient and His power is manifest in my weakness? How can that be? Come and see.

God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ? Come on, get real! No, you come and see how real it really is.

And it’s not just about claiming His promises, I think it’s also true for knowing Him more intimately. Can I really know Him? Really abide in Him? Open the door of my heart and sup with Him? Can I really? Yeah you can, come and see.

It seems to me that’s kind of what faith is all about. Not necessarily having it all figured out, but being willing to come and see. To approach the throne of grace and see if we won’t find help in time of need. Even when we feel inadequate to approach a holy God, humbling coming to Him as Abba Father, and seeing if He doesn’t envelope us with the assurance of His love for us.

We may not have all the answers . . . maybe not even many of the questions . . . but will we hear Jesus saying to us, “Come and see”?

And then, will we?  Come and see?

By His grace, for His glory.

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My Mirror

Posted on September 27, 2017 by Pete

I stand in front of it every morning. It’s an important tool to make sure the part in my hair is straight (mostly), that I don’t shred my face shaving (usually), and that the hair growing out of my ears isn’t too bushy (normally). But it’s not just because I stand in front of it that it benefits me. It’s because I pause long enough to look at myself in it. To see and straighten the crooked part, to watch carefully the blade as it scrapes over my skin, to take action when the hair that was once on top of my head tries to escape out the sides. It’s my mirror . . . and I’m thankful for it.

But it would do me no good if I had it in front of me but didn’t take notice of what it revealed to me. If I just quickly glanced in it but walked away doing nothing and forgetting what I saw.

It’s my mirror.  And, this morning, it’s James’ object lesson.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

(James 1:22-25 ESV)

If there are three words that could be used to summarize the letter James wrote, they might be “Keeping It Real!” Practical advice being served up for those saved by grace apart from good works that they might live in grace for good works. Redeemed and regenerated through the finished work of the cross that they might walk in a manner reflective of the power of the cross. Sealed by the Spirit that they might walk in the Spirit thus bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Keeping it real . . . that’s what James is talking about.

And an important provision for living out the kingdom while still in the suburbs, for being so heavenly minded that we can’t help but be of earthly good, is the word of God. James refers to it as the perfect law.  As the law of liberty, setting us free from the bonds of sin, self, and the seduction of the world. Freeing us to pursue righteousness; to live for others; and to say no to the ways of a culture tangled in darkness.

But like a mirror, even if we place ourselves before the Word on a regular basis, if we don’t look into it, if we don’t take note of what it reveals, if we merely and mindlessly interact with it and then walk away, it does us no good. Or, as James says, if we’re hearing it only but not doing it, then we’re kidding ourselves about being followers of Christ.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m all about Bible reading plans. They know I love to be engaged in Bible studies. But I’m reminded this morning that daily readings and group considerations of the Scripture have no benefit if I’m not really looking in the mirror.

If I’m just engaging with facts that I already know . . .or thinking of truths that someone else should be taking to heart . . . or just putting in time thinking that the study of the word is an end in itself and not a means towards something else . . . then I’m that guy who gets in front of the mirror but doesn’t look at what it reveals about him. Who walks way forgetting, or never really knowing in the first place, what he looks like. And so his mirror, his Bible, really does him no good and he’s just fooling himself.

Instead, when I open the Word, I should be reading through it intently, meditating upon it purposefully, gazing into it inquisitively, expecting that which is God-breathed to reflect something of who I am, or who I am called to be, and to take action as needed. To persevere, says the ESV, being aware of what I’ve seen in the mirror, determining, by His grace and through the Spirit’s power, to respond accordingly and take action as necessary. To be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only.

Thanking God this morning for my Mirror. And for the One who has provided it–that I might fix the crooked part, avoid being cut by the sharp edge, and deal with the reoccurring demons of lobe-covering.

Now, I just need to gaze into it, see my reality reflected by it, and act upon it.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Wholehearted, Authentic Faithfulness

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Pete

Reading in Jeremiah. And something I know I’ve read multiple times hit me like a ton of bricks this morning.

I’ve often heard it said, and I’ve said it as well, that sin is sin. And while it’s true that whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, is guilty of all (James 2;10), from what I’m hovering over in Jeremiah, some sins seem to be more grievous in God’s eyes than others. Conversely, some transgression “more righteous” than others in comparison. Case in point: Faithlessness vs. Treacherousness.

And the LORD said to me, “Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.”

(Jeremiah 3:11 ESV)

History attests to the seriousness of the divided kingdom’s iniquity. Both Israel and Judah were judged severely by their God. Yet, they were different.

The northern kingdom, Israel, was judged severely for it’s faithlessness. She “played the whore” (3:6) as she went after her lover-idols. Unashamedly, she turned her back on the God who birthed her and raised her up in order to pursue the deities which preyed on her fears, her vanity, and her lust for pleasure. When the kingdom split, Israel split from her King–bowing before golden calves, declaring openly, “Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (1Kings 10:28).

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. . . . they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator . . .

(Romans 1:22-23, 25 ESV)

Dumb! And for her adulteries, faithless Israel, was judged severely. Sent away with a certificate of divorce (3:8).

And her sister, the other half of the divided kingdom, Judah, watched but learned nothing.

Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore. Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree. Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the LORD.

(Jeremiah 3:8b-10 ESV)

Judah saw the severity of faithlessness’s consequence, and faked fidelity. She went through the motions of returning to God, but it was pretense only.

Thinking she could deceive the ever-present, all-knowing, Creator of the universe, she made much of her displays of piety in the temple, and then, under the vain cover of night, she bowed before her idols–flirted with her wooden statues, made out with her metal suitors, cheated with the ways of the nations around them. Thus she would be disciplined severely as well–for her treacherousness. And, says the LORD through the prophet, compared to Judah’s treacherousness, faithless Israel had “shown herself more righteous.”

So, I’m thinking about how God looks upon pretense. How he reacts to fake piety and half-hearted (no-hearted ?) religion. The degree to which He is grieved by those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.

And I can’t help but receive it as a warning. To be careful of becoming careless. To be on guard against falling into some deceived notion that I can pursue the world, allow inanimate objects to capture part of my heart, embrace the values of the kingdom of darkness, and to somehow think I am still being “faithful enough” and can keep God from seeing my divided heart. That’s more than unfaithfulness. That’s treacherousness. And that’s a “worse” sin.

But knowing my heart, and it’s tendency toward Judah-like behaviors, I can’t help but rejoice that, on the cross, Jesus also paid the price for my deceitful ways. His blood sufficient to cleanse from all sin, even the “less righteous” sin of hypocrisy and duplicity. That if I confess my sin, He is faithful and just to forgive my sin, and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1Jn. 1:9).

“Return, faithless Israel,” declares the LORD. “I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful,” declares the LORD.

(Jeremiah 3:12 ESV)

Wholehearted, authentic faithfulness. That’s what our God desires. It’s what He deserves.

Made possible by His grace. To be pursued for His glory.

Amen?

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Clothed and Covered

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Pete

The last part of Isaiah is glorious. The focus is on God’s Holy Servant, the Messiah. And the subject matter has more to do with restoration and reconciliation than repentance and restitution. More to do with the hope of the future than the sins of the past. Focused on what awaits and forgetting what lies behind.

The opening words of Isaiah 61 are Messiah’s words, Jesus claiming them for Himself on that Sabbath in the synagogue when He read from the scroll of the prophet:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 4:18-19 ESV)

And the prophet goes on to reveal more of the blessings associated with the year of the Lord’s favor through the Messiah. He speaks of the rebuilding and repair of the glorious city of God, and of the reclaiming and renown of the glorious people of God. Of beautiful head-dresses replacing ashes of repentance; of an anointing with an oil of gladness which washes away the soaking by tears they had known for so long; of garments of praise displacing their spirit of heaviness.

And amidst the “thus saith of the LORD”, Isaiah himself has to break in with his own commentary as he sees this vision of the future, speaking on behalf of all who would know the blessing of the Lord’s favor through the work of the Lord’s Servant. And as I chew on this spontaneous eruption of praise, I notice it springs forth from being clothed and covered.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

(Isaiah 61:10 ESV)

I will sing for joy in GOD, explode in praise from deep in my soul (MSG). I am overwhelmed with joy (NLT) . . . as I look at myself in the mirror of God’s promises and take in the raiment tailored just for me.

Clothed with the garments of salvation. Covered with the robe of righteousness. As a bridegroom all decked out for that glorious day. Or, as a bride adorned so as to enhance her natural features with resplendent beauty. Clothed and covered. Such am I through the love of the Father, the finished work of the Son, and the power of the Spirit.

Arrayed in salvation. My sins atoned for on the cross. The debt paid in full. The wrath justly deserved for my rebellion poured out on the Lamb of God. Christ’s, “Father forgive them” applied to this sinner who didn’t know what he was doing. The stain removed. The rags put away once for all. And in their place, by His grace, the garments of salvation. I am clothed.

What’s more I am enveloped with the robe of righteousness. My sins gone, His holiness imputed. My mantle, the spotless nature of the Christ. Able to stand confidently before the throne of the Father, fully justified, as I’m presented before Him in the Son. Dressed in layers as the garment of salvation is enhanced with the undeserving robe of righteousness. I am covered.

To be clothed would be enough to greatly rejoice in Jehovah. But to be covered too? Well, that blows the top off as we exult in our God.

Clothed and covered. That’s this guy. You as well?

Then let us sing for joy . . . explode in praise . . . and be overwhelmed by such undeserved blessing.

Such is the reality of His abundant grace.

Such should be our response for His ever-deserving glory.

Amen?

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Where God Lives

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Pete

There are some verses that, no matter how often you read them, just seem to lift you up. Portions of Scripture that kinda’ make you soar. They stretch your imagination . . . humble your spirit . . . comfort your heart . . . renew your strength. Came across one of those in my reading this morning.

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

(Isaiah 57:15 ESV)

It is a word from God. And oh, what a God!

He is the High and Lifted Up One. That isn’t just where He’s located, that’s His very nature and character. He is exalted in essence. He towers over the things of men because of who He is. The plain on which He operates is so up there–so way up there. In all respects, He is lifted up. His being, His thoughts, His courses of action–all lofty, all high and exalted.

You want to think of God? Then look up–look way, way up. What’s more, He inhabits eternity! That’s where He exists. That’s His atmosphere. In the forever and ever, in the everlasting. His is a continuous existence. Time does not constrain Him. That’s why Peter can write, “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day” (2Peter 3:8 NLT).

So tell me, doesn’t that stretch the brain a bit?

But as I pause and chew on this, what also blows me away is how complacent I can become about our high and lifted up God. The God who has been in my life so long, that my response can so easily become, “Yeah, very nice thought. Whatever. Move on.”

But what if I just stop and think about it–even for just a minute? Wouldn’t I be falling on my face?  If not falling on my face, at least a hush coming over my soul, an “awesome” coming out of my lips, and the praise of wonder seeping out of my heart?

And then, when I am in awe of who He is, get ready to think about where He lives.

First, He dwells in the high and holy place. Ok, makes sense. A High and Holy and Eternal God would have to live in a high and holy place. That He would be unapproachable would seem reasonable. That He would be out there somewhere seems logical. That He would be distant wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.

But then Isaiah reveals His other address, His other place of residence. He also dwells with those of a contrite and lowly spirit. That our God reigns on high is very true. But that our God descends and draws near the lowly is also very true.

He takes up residence with those who are like dust . . . those who are humiliated . . . those who are poor in spirit . . . those who can’t look up, who can’t even look you in the eye. The beat up are His abode. No room for Him in “Pride Inn.” But show Him “Humble Hotel” and He’s ready to move in.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

For though the LORD is high, He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar.

(Psalm 34 18, Psalm 138:6 ESV)

So whaddya’ think about that? He keeps His distance from the proud and arrogant and those who boast of being on top of the world, but He’s all over those who are humbled in the valley.

And He doesn’t just descend and draw near to the dust-bitten in order to stay with us in the dust. No, He comes down so that He might lift us up. His desire is to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

I love that word “revive!” He desires to restore . . . revitalize . . . reignite. We fall down, He lifts us up. We humble ourselves, He exalts us. Our hearts are broken and downcast, He mends them and raises them up.

What a thought! That the high and lifted up God who inhabits eternity would also dwell with the downcast and broken-hearted. That He who is above all, would descend and commune with those who are the least-of-all.

What an amazing God!

What amazing grace!

To Him be glory forever!

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Abundantly Pardoned

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Pete

Reading in Isaiah this morning continues to take me back to my roots, rather, to my Rock. As the Lord God, through Isaiah, calls His disciplined people back to myself, I’m reminded of His call to me some 40+ years ago.

Though for a “brief moment” God had deserted His covenant people (Isa. 54:6-7) in order to bring them to their senses, He had never forsaken them. In fact, the manner in which they had been “cast off” would pale in comparison to the compassion with which they would be brought back.

And so, in Isaiah 55, God through His prophet, pleads to a people thirsty for redemption, reconciliation, and rest, to come. To come to the waters that satisfy the deepest thirst. And to come buy and eat food which restores the neediest soul. That which they could not afford, yet which could be bought “without money and without price”–purchased, instead, by faith.

Come, says the LORD. Listen to Me and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, that your soul might live. Seek the LORD, call upon Him, return to Him.

The Spirit spoke the same words to me 40 years ago. Not audibly. Not with such clarity, nor if they had been, could I have really understood them nor their vast implications. Nevertheless, with groanings that cannot be uttered, the Spirit wooed me to the Father through the Son. And I was abundantly pardoned.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

(Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV)

Abundantly pardoned. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. That for those who hear His invitation and respond in faith, they are abundantly pardoned. That I have been abundantly pardoned.

Abundantly. Looks like the word has the sense of multiplying, of doing much in respect of something, to increase or enlarge greatly. That the collateral effect of the LORD’s pardon goes far beyond just being forgiven. Entails much more than could have been imagined than simply avoiding just punishment. Had a holy God’s pardon only erased the great debt owed by a sinning people, it would be more than enough to evoke praise for eternity. But my God pardons abundantly.

Not only rescued from sin’s unavoidable consequences, but adopted by God as sons and daughter, and made joint-heirs with the Son of God, Jesus the Christ. Our debt not only removed, but an inheritance–imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven–granted.

Not only permitted to reside in His presence for eternity, but invited to eat at His table–in a place Jesus is, even now, preparing for us. Until that day, not just cleansed of sin, but credited with the righteousness of the spotless, sinless Lamb of God. Robed in garments fit for a king, the King of Kings. Clothed in the perfection of Another, the One who was in every respect been tempted as we are, yet without sin..

Kept by the Spirit, the One who raised Jesus from the dead, our Seal and Guarantee of the inheritance to come.

Blessed now with every blessing in heavenly places. Soon to have that blessing enlarged when faith gives way to sight.

How pardoned are we? Abundantly pardoned!

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.

(Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV)

Pardoned according to the riches of His grace . . . overflowing grace . . . abundant grace. Lavished upon us in accordance with His wisdom and insight– with thoughts that are not our thoughts and ways that are not our ways.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

(Isaiah 55:9 ESV)

Yes, Lord, they are higher. Exceedingly higher. Abundantly higher.

To You be the glory, now and forevermore!

Amen.

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The Rock from Which You Were Hewn

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Pete

Sometimes, in order to keep going forward, you need to look back. To recapture future hope, you need to be reminded of past promises. To set your feet again on solid ground, you need to remember afresh the rock from which you were hewn.

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. For the LORD comforts Zion; He comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD.”

(Isaiah 51:1-3 ESV)

Isaiah had a tough job to do–and a bit of a confusing message to deliver. His was to call the people to recognize the destruction around them as the discipline of God upon them while assuring them that God had not forsaken them. Confronting them with their unfaithfulness and idolatry, yet seeking to comfort them with God’s faithfulness and intention. Getting them to see the peril of their ways while encouraging them to wait for the Savior of their world . Having them examine their own hearts and acknowledge their own sin while turning their eyes to God’s holy Servant and trusting in His salvation.

And so, though their world had imploded around them . . . literally . . . the LORD, through the prophet, seeks to comfort those of Zion. Casting a vision of the future where their waste places and wilderness are again made like Eden. Where their desert will, one day, be displaced by His garden.

But how could they muster up the faith to believe that it would be so? How could they renew their strength while looking around and seeing nothing but ruin? “Look to the rock from which you were hewn,” says the LORD.

For those who pursue righteousness, for those who seek the LORD, when hope is clouded by current circumstance, we need to look back and remember from where we came. As we endure the discipline and training that comes through hardship (Heb. 12:1-11), we need to cast again our eye to the rock from which we were hewn.

For Israel it was Abraham and Sarah. Called of God that He might bless and multiply them. People of promise who responded in faith and ultimately birthed a great nation; eventually, through their seed, possessed a great land; and would become the source, to all nations, of great blessing. Remember your past, remember the promise, remember your rock.

For the people of God today, our rock is His Son. Our roots established in the finished work of the cross. Our strength sourced in the abiding presence and resurrection power of His Spirit. Our future, just like Israel’s, settled by the unwavering reality of His promises.

Our waste places, too, will be made like the Eden which God originally intended for those created in His image. Our deserts gloriously transformed into a garden where God delights to be in our midst, and where we know His presence in the most intimate of ways as we walk with Him in the cool of the day.

But it can be hard to see the garden, when you’re stuck in the weeds. Hard to believe in Eden, when your running out of energy. So, what’s a weary pilgrim to do? Look to the Rock from which you were hewn.

By His grace. For His glory.

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There Is No Other!

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Pete

It’s not like they didn’t know it already . . . but they didn’t know it really.

They had grown up being taught it–for many, they could recite great portions of it from memory. For generations they had interacted with the temple and seen more livestock than could be counted offered on the altar. And yet, what they should have known, they didn’t.

What had been stored up in their heads, was no longer making its way to their hearts. What had become tradition no longer had the impact of truth. Their religion no longer affected their reality. What they said they knew by what they did on the Sabbath, was making very little difference in what they projected they believed as evidenced by how they went about their week. And so, in the portion of Isaiah I’m reading this morning, the Spirit goes into repeat mode to remind them of it.

“There is no other!”

I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides Me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know Me . . .

(Isaiah 45:5 ESV)

That’s the indictment declared through Isaiah, that though there is no other God, you do not know Me. That though I have done everything to make Myself known as the only God, you choose not to follow Me alone.

It is evident through creation, declares the Creator. The calamities I have ordained and allowed, they point to Me as well, says the Sovereign. The way in which I have come down to You, revealed Myself, and enveloped you should clearly demonstrate that I am unlike any other. And yet, your idols of wood are many. Your shrines of silver increase. By what you worship you evidence your lack of wonder that I am the LORD, and besides me there is no other.

Over and over again in Isaiah 45, ten times in various forms, the Spirit echoes, “No god besides Me.” If repetition is intended for emphasis, then the Spirit is shouting, “There is no other!”

It gets my attention. The rhythm of repetition says there’s something worth chewing on here. After all, like I said, it’s not like He’s talking to those who didn’t know it already. He’s talking to God’s covenant people, version 1.0. What’s He saying then to us, God’s covenant people 2.0?

Are we just as prone to know He is God and God alone and yet live like He’s but one of many gods we worship? While we might not participate in the folly of those in Isaiah’s time who took a piece of wood, used part of it to kindle a fire to warm themselves and bake bread, but then used the rest to make a god and fall down in worship before it, what other inanimate objects, or passing pursuits, are competing for the adoration and allegiance of our hearts? What other altars are we bowing before? How are we diluting the offering of our time, talents, and treasure, that should for be Him first and foremost?

Search me O God . . .

And there is no other god besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

(Isaiah 45:21b-22 ESV)

I do believe He is God, and God alone. That there is none beside Him worthy of our worship. That there is no other like Him deserving of our faithful service. No god which should be competing for our affection.  That there is none like our God who is able to save . . . and save to the uttermost!

Might what I know already, be reflected in how I live my life really.

By His grace. For His glory.

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On Our Behalf

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Pete

Except for those few hours on the cross when He was forsaken–and that in a manner which I do not fully comprehend–the Son has ever been with the Father. Since before the foundation of the earth the Son has been loved by the Father (Jn. 17:24). As the living Word He was with God in the beginning when time on earth was first marked (Gen. 1:1, Jn. 1:1). Even while the Son tabernacled among men, taking on flesh in order to rescue those in bondage to sin and death, He and the Father were never apart (Jn. 16:32). And, as the Lamb forever, He will occupy the throne with God, as God, reigning in glory, receiving the worship due their great Name (Rev. 22:3).

But, as I read in Hebrews this morning, I am reminded that at present the Son has a unique role before the Father. That today, even now, He is there on our behalf.

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

(Hebrews 9:24 ESV)

Christ entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Chew on that for a bit.

The Son of God not only is Creator, Lamb, and King, He is our Advocate.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

(1John 2:1 ESV)

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(Romans 8:34 ESV)

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

Appearing before God on our behalf. The righteous One asking the Father to credit His righteous to our account. The risen One reminding again of the victory that is ours because He has died once for all for our sins and has been raised in power for our justification. The interceding One, pleading ever His blood as the active cleansing agent for our sin–past, present, and future.

So often in my failure I imagine myself standing before God alone. Just me and my God after He has searched me and known my heart and exposed that in me which brings Him sorrow. Head hung low in solitary silence, so aware of having blown it AGAIN!

But if I’m picking up what the Spirit is laying down, I am far from alone. My Savior appears, even now in the presence of God, on my behalf.

When God looks upon me, He sees me with an Advocate. He sees me in His beloved Son.

Our enemy would have us forget that. Our flesh, in it’s self-centeredness, would have us fail to take note of that. But the Spirit, through the word of God, testifies of that. And I would do best to remember that.

Jesus Christ the righteous, now appearing in the presence of God, at His right hand, able to save to the uttermost, because He intercedes for us.

Presenting the merits of His blood shed, the finality of His sacrifice offered once-for-all, and the permanence of His righteousness credited to our account.

All on our behalf.

All because of grace. All for His glory.

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