Rab Shalom

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Pete

“How’s your heart?” It’s a question my girls regularly ask me, and each other, these days. “I can see how you’re doing life on the outside,” they’re saying, “but what’s the state of affairs on the inside?”

Truth be told, who hasn’t known what it is to go through the motions to get through the day while being a mess deep down inside? I’m guessing we’ve all been there at one time or another. So, if being real is important to us, then it’s probably a fair question to ask, or be asked, from time to time: “How’s your heart?”

This morning, the psalmist’s response grabbed me.

Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.

(Psalm 119:165 ESV)

Great peace. How’s that for an answer?

Rab shalom in the Hebrew.

Much tranquility. Exceeding completeness. Abounding soundness. Abundant contentment.  Great peace.  Rab shalom.

Who wouldn’t want to buy what rab shalom is selling? Who wouldn’t want to respond to, “How’s your heart?” with a truthful, “Rab shalom!”

And the secret sauce for great peace is a love for the word of God. A desire to hear His voice and know His ways. An appetite for “pure spiritual milk” because we have “tasted that the Lord is good” (1Pet. 2:2-3). A longing to walk according to His laws and statutes because we have known something of the reality of His love and grace.

Not that this rab shalom dwells with those who perfectly keeps His law, for who is up to such a task? But that, at the end of the day, there is abundant contentment for those who bring themselves in line with His word’s great revelation.

Those who strive to walk in obedience, because they believe that, through the blood of Christ, they have been gifted with a great reconciliation. Those who make every effort to square their hearts with God’s precepts and commands because they have known the fruit of God’s redemption, the righteousness of Christ credited to their account. Those who, in a sense, live beyond themselves in their pursuit of holiness because they have been made holy, given all they need to participate in the divine nature (2Pet. 1:4). Those who keep on keepin’ on now, even in trial and failure, because of the comfort of the Spirit given them as a deposit guaranteeing an eternal inheritance to come.

Abounding soundness because of an unshakeable foundation. Much tranquility as they are tethered to an unfailing anchor. Exceeding completeness because of His ever accessible voice. Great peace have those who love His law.

Great peace, not because of the absence of obstacles, but because of the presence of God. Great peace, even in great trouble, because a great God has made Himself known through His living word. An abiding confidence, that though we will continue to encounter troubles and run into obstacles, that ultimately we will not stumble–we will not fall–because He is faithful.

Rab shalom. Great peace.  Though the word of our great God.

Revealing anew His great grace.  All that He might be given afresh great glory.

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The Surpassing Worth of Losing It All

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Pete

For many, it simply wouldn’t add up. They’d do the math, look at the profit and loss statement, and then take a pass on making the trade. But not Paul. He was all in. Convinced of the surpassing worth of losing it all.

If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

(Philippians 3:4b-8a ESV)

Paul’s profile on LinkedIn would have been pretty impressive. His Facebook page would have been full of “Likes.” Those who followed him on Twitter would have been many. By any measure of those in his community, he had it all. He was on his way to the top.

Loving, devout parents who brought him up in the way he should go, having started him off right by ensuring he was circumcised on the eighth day. A member of God’s chosen earthly people. What’s more, of the tribe of a favored son, the one named “son of my right hand,” one of two boys born to Israel’s beloved Rachel. But while born into privilege, he was also driven to perform–doing all that needed to be done to leverage his advantage for achievement. Zealous for his heritage, customs, and religion, he sought to excel. Rising to elite status. A man of purpose and action, even crusading against that which He thought defamed and denied His God.

Paul had it all. If his biography to that point had been written as an accounting ledger, the assets listed would have been many. The things that had been gain to him would have made most envious.

But then he discovered something far better. Something which made his achievements pale in comparison. So much so, that he willingly transferred his assets into the Loss column.

What is it that causes someone who has it all to let it all go? That compels someone who has climbed their way to the top to be willing to get off the ladder?

It’s the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

And I wonder, has the familiarity of being a Christian devalued the privilege of being in Christ? If I were to create my own ledger would Christ alone be on the Gain side and everything else under the heading Loss ? If I were to list my assets, would Christ be at the top of the list? If I were to document my priorities would my pursuit of Him be preeminent, directing everything else? If I were to catalog my treasures, would abiding in Him out-value everything else?

As I chew on it, I can’t help but ask myself, do I count everything loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord? Or is my relationship with Christ better characterized as supplemental worship. Part of a well-balanced life, with enough of the pie given to seeking the King and His kingdom so that my conscience is eased and my community’s expectations are met?

Chewing on questions more than answers this morning. Noodling on what it means to count all things loss. Meditating on the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

By His grace. For His glory.

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New Wineskins

Posted on June 8, 2017 by Pete

They weren’t crazy about John’s message, but his methods, at least, seemed in line. The amount of time spent in fasting by his disciples seemed consistent with what righteousness demanded. And they were seen offering prayers in the temple often enough that, while they might be somewhat over-the-top in terms of their emphasis on repentance, at least they were still in line with what was deemed as being right and responsible. Yes, in the Pharisee’s estimation, the actions of John disciples, like theirs, were in line with what you’d expect of good, God-fearing followers.

But Jesus’ disciples! What was up with them?

Instead of fasting and prayer, followers of Jesus were marked as those who were out eating and drinking. Instead of parading themselves into the temple or preening themselves on the street corner, as did the religious elite, Jesus’ people were more often at banquets hosted by tax collectors and such. Rather than making sure people saw them turning down the ends of the mouths to indicate how hungry they were, or lifting up their hands to indicate how pious they were, the followers of Jesus were more often overflowing in conversation about how the kingdom had come. Why?

“No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 5:37-38 ESV)

There would be a time for fasting, Jesus said, but not while the bridegroom was still with his invited guests. There would be a time for sober reflection–not to evidence personal holiness but to supplicate for great revival.

In fact, what Jesus was bringing would not fit in the box of law that the Pharisees were preaching. Jesus would fulfill the law, but His good news of salvation through faith alone could not be crammed into any legal framework. God’s grace would be unconnected with man’s goodness. His mercy couldn’t be yoked to their merit. The way of unmerited favor just wouldn’t fit within the works of unregenerate fervor.

You can’t put new wine into old wineskins. And Jesus was bringing new wine.

New wine must be put into new wineskins. The way of grace has no place within the confines of the law. Instead, grace requires a new container, a new context. One in which it’s effervescence and effluence can freely bubble over and flow out. The recipients of grace no longer confined by their ability, or lack thereof, to keep the law, but instead released with the freedom and power of the Spirit to live beyond the law.

The keeping of the law no longer a requirement but now, instead, a response. Praying, not to be deemed worthy and thus accepted by a distant God on a burning mountain, but to boldly enter before the throne of God because they have been declared worthy–holy and righteous, in Christ–and invited to draw near. Fasting, not to attract the attention of men, but to deeply abide in the presence of God.

Not following the law in order to make the grade, but walking in righteousness because, by faith, they have become new creations in Christ now able to participate in the divine nature. Not without failure, but confident in the finished work of the cross and the faithfulness of the God who says that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us our sins and, through the blood of Christ, cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

There’s just too much power in this new wine to be contained in those old wineskins. Too much life to be lived to be hamstrung by a law that can only bring about death. Too much hope to pursue to have it crushed under the weight of heavy burden. Too great a family to be enjoyed for it to be lost amidst formalities of pious propriety.

Old wineskins simply cannot contain the living water Jesus said would be flowing out of the hearts of His followers (Jn. 7:38). The Spirit of God bursting the old, worn skins of religion. Freedom finding expression that destroys legalism.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

(Galatians 5:1 ESV)

A new wine through the cross. A new way in Christ.

New wineskins reflecting His grace. Fresh wineskins declaring His glory.

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The Way Up is Down

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Pete

It is the greatest “rabbit trail” in all of Scripture. Paul’s going in one direction when, led by the Spirit of God–the Promoter of Christ, he heads down another. One moment he’s exhorting the Philippians to be like-minded, the next He’s extolling the mind of Christ. And his illustrative tangent is enough to make you stand up and shout the hallelujah chorus. For, as William MacDonald so aptly put it, it’s a glorious reminder that the way up is down.

Many have pointed out in various ways the Son’s steps of humiliation and the Father’s corresponding steps of exaltation. It looks something like this:

Jesus didn’t demand the glory due Him though fully God–instead He emptied Himself

…More than that, He took the form of servant

…..More than that, He consented to be born in human likeness

…….More than that, He committed to present Himself in the form of a man

……..More than that, He humbled Himself

………..More than that, He became obedient to death

………….More than that, it was the death of a shameful cross

Philippians 2:5-8

………….Therefore, God the Almighty has responded

………..By exalting Him above all heights

………By bestowing on Him a name like no other name

…….By ordaining that at the Name the knee should bow

…..By determining that it would be every knee in all places

…By presenting Him such that every tongue is compelled to confess that Jesus is Lord

To the glory of God

Philippians 2:9-11

Thus the way up is down.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Php. 2:5).

But before I rush to heed the exhortation to “let this mind be in you”, I must pause to enter into the exploration of wandering down this glorious rabbit trail. I must avoid rushing to application and instead engage in wondrous meditation fueled by Paul’s tangent. I must consider afresh the Son of God who willingly became the Lamb of God that I might be made in Him a child of God.

What was it for the King of glory to become our atoning sacrifice? For the Source of all creation to endure the suffering of the cross? For the Author of Life to experience the reality of death?

Yet for the joy set before Him He endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb. 12:2).

For though He was laid in the earth, yet on the third day He rose from the dead. His humiliation gave way to exaltation. And He is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Ever to reign. Ever to intercede. Ever to be bowed before and worshiped.

Therefore, have this mind among yourselves.

More here that is felt than tell’t.

Might we know, really know, that the way up is down. Might we praise the Name above all Names. Might we follow, by His enabling, in the way of this glorious rabbit trail.

Because of His abundant grace. All for His everlasting glory.

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Windows in Heaven

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Pete

Situation? Desperate. Famine followed by siege. Even when they could freely leave the city walls, there was so little food in the fields. It was so bad, in fact, that even donkey heads and dove’s dung were only accessible to the rich who could afford to pay the outrageous, inflated prices for such meager means. And now that the enemy had boxed them in the city, they could do nothing but wait and slowly starve to death–some, in a desperate attempt to extend days of life, even resorting to cannibalism. Not only were they without food and freedom, the people were without hope. And the king, he was without power. And, in the frustration of his own impotence, the king sought to lash out at God by killing God’s prophet. Like I said, the situation was desperate.

Cue windows in heaven.

But Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD: thus says the LORD, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.” Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, “If the LORD Himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” But he said, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

(2Kings 7:1-2 ESV)

Elisha’s prediction of such sudden abundance that they’d practically be giving away food was met with open, sarcastic cynicism by a palace aide. If God Himself were to make windows in heaven . . . if even the Almighty were to open the floodgates of paradise’s storehouse . . . if the shutters were flung wide open and the miracle of manna were multiplied beyond number . . . how could this be?

This captain of the king could have believed. Instead he berated. And ultimately, forfeited the blessing.

Read the rest of the story in 2Kings 7 and you find out how such a miraculous turnaround came to be. More importantly, read the rest of the story and you’ll fall at the feet of Who is able to turn death into life by simply opening windows in heaven.

Our God is the God who is able to intervene in desperate situations.

He is the God who did intervene in the most desperate of situations–people laid siege by sin and death. Entrapped by the desires and weakness of the flesh. Desperately seeking sustenance through every vain self-satisfying endeavor. Without means or money to buy bread and water needed for life . . . true life . . life to the full.

Cue windows in heaven.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. . . . For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent me.” So the Jews grumbled about Him, because He said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

(John 6:35, 38, 41 ESV)

The abundance of heaven made manifest through the Son of God. Sin’s life-draining pursuit replaced by the Savior’s life-giving salvation. Death’s power swallowed up in the resurrection’s victory. And for all who believe, living water from windows in heaven.

Not just the price paid for the famine of the past. Not just a hope for a place at the table where we will feast in the future. But, as well, the promise of heaven-sent provision for every hunger and desperate situation we face today. The finished work of the cross a forever display of God’s love and care for His people. The empty tomb a reminder of the power of God to reverse what we might think to be irreversible. The Spirit of God, a flowing river out of the hearts of those believe, as an ever sustaining Helper and Comforter from windows in heaven.

Ours is to believe. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. Without moving forward in faith, impossible to receive from windows in heaven.

Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

(Malachi 3:10 ESV)

All because of grace. Only for His glory.

Amen?

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Far Better

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Pete

I’m thinking that, sometimes, the difference between a portion of Scripture being familiar and fantastic is simply your season. Your current life experience creating a filter, or perhaps more aptly a magnifying glass, which takes something you’ve read, memorized, and believed for years and accentuates it in such a way that it jumps off the page with a fresh reality, meaning, and blessing for today. It’s the difference between a verse ending up on a t-shirt as a slogan and it “piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit” (Heb. 4:12 AV). Such, this morning, was the case with Paul’s well known declaration to the Philippians.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

(Philippians 1:21-24 ESV)

This morning, I’m chewing more on “to die is gain” than I am “to live is Christ.”

Paul had had a taste of heaven (2Cor. 12:2-4). He had tasted of glory and seen that it was good. He had heard things in the third heaven, the heaven beyond our atmosphere and beyond our universe, for which there were no words to describe them here on earth. Assuming his experience was similar to John’s as described in Revelation, he saw things in paradise beyond anything we could conceive of on this planet–things which drove him facedown to his knees, and those gathered around the throne to their feet, in awe-filled worship.

And so, as Paul sat in a Roman prison surrounded by an imperial guard (Php. 1:13), he would live for Christ but was so aware that to die is gain. That to depart and be with Christ would be far better.

Far better. That’s “better” with multiple exclamation marks after it. Paul seemingly struggles to emphasize enough the “better-ness” of departing. While he would embrace God’s will for him here below, he knew that what God had waiting for him there above was “better beyond all expression.”

Far better. Paul knew that the life that he now lived “by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20), he would one day live face to face–and that which was now known but in part would be known fully, with the same fullness with which God knew him (1Cor. 13:12).

Better by far. Paul knew firsthand that to live for Christ would require times of being under incredible pressure while not being sure what to do about them. That to stand for Christ would invite times of opposition and persecution (2Cor. 4:8-10). But he also knew that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). To live is Christ, to die is gain.

We can only imagine the gain as, by faith and with the Spirit’s illuminating enablement, we try to envision the experience of those who are now with Christ, before the throne, the One who sits on the throne dwelling among them. And the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne is, Himself, shepherding them, leading them to living fountains of water (Rev. 7:15-17). We can but speculate of what it is like to walk in that place where there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. Where there shall be no more pain. Where the former things have passed away . . . and behold, He has made all things new (Rev. 21:4-5).

What a day that will be for us. What a day that currently is for those who have already departed. Who have realized the gain. Who know experientially that truly, it is far better.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Stop Limping!

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Pete

It’s gotta be among the top 5 Bible stories. The odds are perfect for high drama, 450:1. And the tension in the air is palpable. Everyone’s cranky! The king’s cranky because Elijah won’t cut him any slack. The people are cranky ’cause Elijah turned off the rain. And the prophets of Baal are cranky because Elijah keeps talking smack against their god of stone. It’s noon at The O.K. Corral . . . there’s gonna be a showdown . . . ’cause this town ain’t big enough for two gods.

But as many times as I’ve read the account in 1Kings 18, what caught my eye this time is amount of limping going on.

So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow Him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baals prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.”

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.

(1Kings 18:20-26 ESV)

Ok. Is it a coincidence that limping is used both to describe Israel’s wavering between who they’ll worship and also to describe the pathetic posture of the fire-less prophets before their man-made altar to Baal? I’m thinking not. There’s a connection here.

You don’t pick it up in the other translations because they use two different words to translate what is the same word in Hebrew (Strongs #06452 – pacach paw-sakh ; a primitive root; to hop). The fickle followers of Yahweh were hopping back and forth with their allegiance between whichever god they thought could best meet their needs. And the pathetic prophets of Baal were hopping back and forth, from one foot to the other, desperately trying to get even a spark to flare up.

They both limped along. The common denominator? Betting on Baal. Investing in idols. Worshiping wood. Trusting in inanimate things rather than the living God.

And I’m thinking there’s a bit of a lesson here for the people of God. Hang out at the altar of idols and, at best, you’ll limp along. Waver back and forth between bowing before heaven and being buddies with the world, and you’re gonna get seasick. Falter between who to serve, and know that, eventually, you’re gonna fall. Try two-timing God with your worship, and know that it’s going to impact your walk.

So, if the LORD is God, then follow Him. Stop limping between two different opinions.

Jesus was clear, we can’t serve two masters–no one can (Matt. 6:24). Paul too, you can’t drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons (1Cor. 10:21). Quit playing the field when you’ve been betrothed to a glorious Groom (2Cor. 11:2).

And why would we opt for anything but pure devotion to the Savior of our souls?

To hangout before the altar of Baal will never amount to anything more than a limp, a hamstrung life. While the gods of this earth might appeal to our flesh, only the God of heaven promises to regenerate our spirits and transform our lives.  While with the Baals there might be found the pleasure of sin for a season, it will do nothing towards investing for eternity.

Stop limping, Elijah says.

Stand fast before the altar of God. And then watch the fire come down!

Because of grace! For His glory!

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What To Do When You Don’t Know Quite What To Do

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Pete

No voices. No visitations. But hey, there’s still a couple of days left. While I didn’t have a lot of goals for my vacation, I was hoping to get a little clarity. On what? Not even clear on that. But while I’ve tried to be still, and have tried to engage in conversation, and have tried to be quiet and listen, no voices, no visitations. But then again, that’s never really been my normative experience.

But maybe there was a bit of an encounter of the divine kind as I hovered over the first part of the fifth chapter of Ephesians this morning. It was the verbs that caught my attention . . .

. . . be imitators of God, as beloved children. . . . and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. . . . Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, . . . but understand what the will of the Lord is.

(Ephesians 5:1, 10, 15, 17 ESV)

So . . . whaddya’ do when you don’t know quite what to do? Well, nearest I can gather (with a bit of handy-dandy online lexicon work), is that there are three things I am to try and do and one thing I’m commanded to do.

I need to try to discern what’s pleasing to the Lord. “Figure out what will please Christ,” according to Peterson in the Message, “and then do it.” The idea here is not of just writing down in my journal all that pleases the Lord, but of actually engaging in some of those things and testing what lane the Lord wants me to swim in.

A servant can’t do everything that pleases his Lord, but everything we do as servants of the Master should be with an eye to that which is “fully agreeable” to Him. We need to be intentional about figuring that out. As the old saying goes, “You can’t steer a parked car.” And, while God is not bound by my inactivity, Jesus did say that if we ask, seek, and knock, then it will be given, be found, and be open. We do, seeking to discern, and He directs, as He has decided.

Moreover, while I’m being a “moving car”, I need to be so carefully. Circumspectly, says the NKJV. Watching my step. Just like a cat along the top of a fence. Mindfully, exactly, accurately, putting one paw in front of the other. I am to move forward, and I’m to do it wisely. If I find myself lacking wisdom, the Spirit says, “Ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). But while I’m to be careful while I’m seeking to be wise, I don’t stop walking. I keep moving forward, trusting the Lord to lead. Confident that for those who faithfully pursue pilgrimage, He will faithfully lead them on their journey.

Thirdly, as I seek to discern, as I determine to walk carefully, I am also to do my best to understand what the will of the Lord is. I’m to bring together the facts and data of life around me and draw some conclusions as to what God’s asking of me as I seek to follow Him. The puzzle pieces are all there. Mine, with the help of the indwelling Spirit, is to intentionally consider and comprehend His will for me, as I work out, with fear and trembling, my salvation for Him–“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Php. 1:12-13).

Ok. No voices. No visitations. But this is speaking to me.

And then, this little gem. While I am exhorted to discern, walk carefully, and understand, I am commanded to imitate. The first three I pursue with a holy determination to the best of my ability and through the enabling of the promised Spirit. But Paul uses the imperative form of the verb when he says, “Be imitators of God” . . . in essence, I think, he kind of says, “Fake it, until you make it.”

Not be fake. But just like little children often will copy the actions of their parents–whether it’s little boys pretending to shave like their dads or little girls putting on makeup like their moms, or a kid pretending to drive a car just like their parents do–we are to mimic how God would act until He is more fully formed in us through the conforming of our nature to the nature of His blessed Son.

Be imitators, says Paul. Spend enough time in God’s word to know how God loves, and graces, and forgives, and comforts, and encourages, and then, even if it don’t come natural (or supernatural) yet, do it . . . just like He would do it.

And, as we imitate God while we do our best to discern what pleases Him, and take our best shot at walking carefully so He can steer us, and desiring with our whole hearts to know His will for lives–while we’re doing our best, He’s taking care of the rest. Shaping within us the image of His Son, make straight paths for our feet, bearing His fruit through us while we seek but to abide in Him.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, says Jesus, and everything else will come (Matt 6:33).

Mine is to believe it.

Imitate God, by His grace, and the direction will come. Do what Jesus would do, through His Spirit’s ever-present enabling, and the way will be made known.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,
   and He will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:6 ESV)

It’s the way of grace. And I’m thinkin’ it will bring Him glory.

Amen?

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Praise God for the Promise!

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Pete

Solomon had blown it (1Kings 11:1-8). What had started as a simple marriage of strategic convenience with a daughter of Egypt grew to be a collection of wives–700 princesses and 300 concubines, to be exact–from every tribe, tongue, and nation around them. The nations of which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” But he did marry them. And he proclaimed his love for each of them by building places of worship for their pagan gods. And, just as God had warned, “when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God.”

And the LORD was angry (11:9). And the King over all kingdoms determined that Solomon’s kingdom would be given to another. But not all of it. Repeatedly through the rest of 1Kings 11, the holy record states, again and again, that a portion of the kingdom, one tribe, would remain in the line of Solomon. And how come? For the sake of David. God had made a promise to David, and though Solomon had turned his back on David’s God, David’s God would ever be true to His word. It was the power of a promise that protected the throne of David.

Then my reading took me to Luke 2. The newborn Jesus is presented before God in Jerusalem by His parents. And there they encounter a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:24). And filled with the Holy Spirit he sees the baby in Mary’s arms and knows without a shadow of a doubt that this is the Christ child. And he picks Him up in his arms and blesses God with his mouth, “My eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel” (2:28-32). And so, praise breaks forth because of a promise. The old man had waited his whole life to see how could would do what He said He would do. Now, seeing the promised fulfilled, Simon was ready to depart in peace.

On to Ephesians 4. And there the promise plays out in the dynamics of community among the people of promise, those God said He would make His own. Having been saved by grace through faith, they are now to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. These people according to promise would be His chosen nation and would be likened unto a body. Each members of one another (4:25). Exhorted to contend for the unity of the faith. Bearing with one (4:2), being kind to one another, forgiving one another, as God in Christ had forgiven them (4:32). God’s promise on display among God’s people.

God’s promise. It protects. It evokes praise. It brings peace. It becomes tangible when it is lived out by His people.

And then this in my reading in the psalms:

Remember Your word to Your servant,
   in which You have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
   that Your promise gives me life.

(Psalm 119:49-50 ESV)

God’s promise. Our hope. Our comfort. Our ever-sustaining source of life.

Having given us new life in Christ when we first believed the promise, it then continues to energize life when times are tough and sorrow is great, as we again lean on the promise.

It primes the pump of living waters when our thirst is the greatest. If makes more clear than ever the prize when we become weary in the race. It reminds us of treasure in heaven even when we feel bankrupt on earth. It is the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

This is our comfort in our affliction . . . His promise.

The promise of His sustaining presence and power for the trials during our sojourn. The promise of a land that awaits which will make it all worth it. The promise of worshiping in His presence on a day yet to come, the likes of which we can only imagine.

His promise gives us life. Life eternal. Life abundant.

Life empowered by His all-sufficient, and ever-sustaining grace. Life lived only for His everlasting glory. Life according to promise.

Praise God!

Amen?

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Turn Away our Eyes

Posted on May 25, 2017 by Pete

The songwriter gets a little demanding in the fifth stanza of his epic love song concerning the word of God (Psalm 119:33-40). In many ways, it’s all about him.

Teach me Your statutes, O LORD. Give me understanding. Lead me. Incline my heart. Confirm to me Your promise. Me, me, me!

But you’re going to be hard-pressed to stand in judgment of the psalmist. For in making it about himself, his desire is that God’s divine work would impact the songwriter’s daily walk.

I will keep the statutes You teach me. I will observe with my whole heart that which You have allowed me to understand. Selfish gain will be eliminated when you incline my heart to Your testimonies. And, when I know Your promises are true to me, I will purpose to live in holy, reverent fear and awe of You.

Not the worst thing to do . . . make it about me so that I might please Him.

But here’s what grabbed me this morning. One of the psalmist’s request is not quite like the others. While all the “me requests” above are about leaning in to the things that matter, there’s one plea that’s about a turning away from those things that don’t.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
  and give me life in Your ways.

(Psalm 119:37 ESV)

There’s a connection between focus and fullness of life. A link between our activities and our abiding. A cause and effect between the disposition of our priorities and the depth of our pilgrimage. And the songwriter pleads with the Lord, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things” (NIV).

Worthless things. To be sure, they include the vile things which should never find a place before our eyes. But the term has a broader meaning. Worthless things are also empty things–things with no real, lasting substance. They are vain things–things which, when all is said and done, make very little difference despite what was said and done. While they might be evil things, they can just as easily be quite benign things, but things which can catch our eye, then occupy our interest, and ultimately capture our heart.

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.”
~ Jesus

(Luke 11:34-35 ESV)

Jesus says be careful of where your eye lands. And so, the sinner saved by grace, knowing the on-going battle with their old nature, pleads with the Lord in return, “Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets” (MSG).

Life in His ways–real life, eternal life, abundant life– the life the songwriter hungers and thirsts for, is dependent on where our eyes are cast. The extent to which we can know heaven on earth today is directly related to the degree to which we “seek the things that are above” in anticipation of tomorrow (Col. 3:1-2).

O, for wisdom to recognize not only the evil things seeking to fill our field of vision, but also the amoral things which seek to consume our time and energy. Those pursuits which, though neither good nor bad in themselves, when they become our primary focus hamstring the fulfillment of our primary purpose.

What is the chief end of man?
   . . . to glorify God (1), and to enjoy Him forever (2).

~ Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 1

(1) – Rom.11:36, 1Cor. 10:31
(2) – Ps. 73:24-28, Jn. 17:21-23

So, maybe sometimes it’s okay for it to be about me . . . if, ultimately, I desire that it be about Him.

Turn away our eyes, Lord . . .

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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