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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A Response, Not a Religion

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Pete

On vacation and with no schedule . . . so doing double readings in my daily plan fit pretty well. As a result it creates a little bit of a different dynamic as I work my way through Psalm 119. Rather than reading single 8-verse stanzas each day, now I’m combining two. And this morning the 16 verses I read caught my attention because of their “bookends.”

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
that I may live and keep Your word.
. . .
I will run in the way of Your commandments
when You enlarge My heart!

(Psalm 119:17, 32 ESV)

I have a friend who often reminds those around him that Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship. True enough. But this morning I’m reminded that it’s also a response.

Religion would rewrite the songwriters opening line, “I live and keep Your word, Lord, so deal bountifully with Your servant.” I perform, You reward. I obey, so You owe. I’ll try to be good for You, in hope that You’ll pour out some of Your goodness on me.

But this morning these bookends remind me that a master owes his servant nothing. Nor are we as the Master’s servants capable of stepping it up apart from His help.

Thus our plea, “Deal bountifully!” No legal claim hear, only an appeal to unmerited favor. As Spurgeon says, “Let my wage be according to Thy goodness, and not according to my merit. Reward me according to the largeness of Thy liberality, and not according to the scantiness of my service.”

Don’t hold back, Lord, on Your benefits. The blessings with which we have been blessed in Christ in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3), let them be poured out afresh! Not because of who we are, but only because of who You are.

Enlarge my heart! Make room for Yourself amidst the clutter of self that tends to build up. Open wide to Yourself what has a tendency toward being ensnared by the world. Claim again as Your own what is often distracted with idols. Make broad the inner man–the mind, the heart, my soul, my strength–to receive Your word.

And then, in response, I will seek to walk in a manner worthy of Your calling (Eph. 4:1). I will desire to keep Your word as You enable me. And I will run the race as You empower me.

Though, within the bookends, I may know scorn and contempt (119:22), though my soul, at times, clings to the dust and melts away for sorrow (119:25, 28), when You deal with me according to Your steadfast love, then my soul will return to its rest and my lips will sing again of Your praise.

Oh, the burden of religion. The weight of having to gut it out before the Almighty in some disillusioned, desperate hope that, if we can do enough, then He will make known to us His presence.

But when His presence is first known, when His Spirit testifies again to our spirit of the promise, then, instead of the burden of religion, there is the blessedness of response. Of loving Him because He first loved us. Of keeping His word through the abundance of His grace. Of running the race because He has made ready our heart and straight our path.

Response . . . not religion. Is that the way of life and life to the full? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Also thinking I might like doing double portions in Psalm 119 over the next few days.

All by His grace. All for His glory!

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The Gospel Covers the Gap

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Pete

Travel day today. Made my way to a bit of paradise today to mark our 36th anniversary, remember the past 35, and take advantage of some extended quiet time (can Maui be considered one’s prayer closet? . . . hoping so).

Anyway, did my reading in the airport this morning before the plane took off and have had something running through my head from 1Kings throughout the day. And as I’ve been chewing on it throughout the day, I’m thanking God that the gospel covers the gap.

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaohs daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. . . . Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.

(1Kings 3:1, 3 ESV)

Bible says: Solomon made a marriage alliance with Egypt, AND Solomon loved the LORD. Pete hears: Solomon longed to be a friend of God but was unequally yoked with the world.

ESV translates it: Solomon walked in the statutes of David, BUT also sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. Pete’s paraphrase: Solomon obeyed the law and he still ate at the table of demons.

Okay, so this is Solomon. Chosen by God through promise. Visited by God in a dream. Approved by God for asking for wisdom. Blessed by God with a discerning mind like no one else ever. Abundantly graced by God with riches and honor so that no other king could come close to him. And this is Solomon, in bed with Egypt (literally) and worshiping at the high places.

Follows the LORD yet sacrifices to other deities. Can anyone say, “Inconsistent?” Loves the LORD and loves the world. Does that sound like an oxymoron? I’m thinkin’ . . .

There’s a gap here. Solomon’s only firing on six cylinders. His elevator’s not going to the top floor. He’s straddling the fence. Playing both sides of the field. My instinct is to judge him. My gut reaction is to criticize him (maybe because I’ve read ahead and know how his story ends).

But the bottom line is that even while Solomon loved the LORD during the day and went home to an Egyptian wife at night, even while he was faithful to the law as his father David had been . . . except for the times when he wasn’t, even then God blessed this man who sought the LORD–though imperfectly. And God used this man to manifest His glory in and through His people.

Because, although with Solomon there may have been a gap, with God there has always been the gospel. Although Solomon’s flesh may have failed from time to time, God’s faithfulness never wavers.

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

(Psalm 103:10-12 ESV)

. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show Gods righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins.

(Romans 3:23-25 ESV)

Divine forbearance. God knew what would be accomplished on the cross and, in His grace, applied Christ’s finished work as the covering for the inconsistencies in Solomon’s behavior. The blood of Christ was sufficient to cover the sins of those who, centuries earlier, by faith sought to follow the LORD.

The gospel covered the gap.

It did for Solomon then, it does for me now.

Not that I presume upon it. Not that it leaves me with license to court the world or permission to dine with demons, but, when I falter, when I fail, when I am tripped up by the flesh, when I’m living my own set of inconsistencies, there is an atoning sacrifice, once paid, which is sufficient to pay for my transgression and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

My gaps are covered by His gospel.

Such is grace. To Him be all the glory.

Amen?

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In Due Season

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Pete

Ask me about the law of the harvest and I’m pretty quick to respond, “You reap what you sow” (Gal. 6:7). Not going to get carrots from flower seed. Don’t count on cherries if all you’ve planted in the orchard are peach trees. And, in the spiritual realm, don’t count on heavenly treasures if you’re only about investing in earthly pursuits and pleasures, for “the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:8).

So I get the “type” thing. The type of things harvested are dependent on the type of things sown. You reap in kind.

But as I read Galatians 6 what hits me this morning is also the reminder about the “time” thing.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

(Galatians 6:9 ESV)

The harvest is not immediate. The reward comes “in due season.” Or as other translations put it, “in due time”, “at the proper time”, or at “just the right time.”

You sow now to reap later. You put in the effort today with an expectation for tomorrow. You invest in the here and now because you believe in a there and then.

And, as long as the work now doesn’t seem overwhelming, waiting for the fruit of our labor then is pretty doable.

But what happens when the sowing gets super hard? When the toil feels like so much trouble? When what’s required to get through today obscures the hope for tomorrow? It’s then, I’m thinking, you need to bring every thought into captivity and remember that there will be a “just the right time.” That there will be fruit from today’s faithfulness in due season.

Makes no sense to get up in the morning and till the hard ground without the anticipation of it bearing much fruit at some point. Working through what seems like never-ending weeds only becomes worth if it if, in due time, the fields are ripe for harvest. We get out of bed and take on the uncertainties of the day only because we know who holds tomorrow.

In due season . . . it’s the sustaining, inviting, and invigorating hope of all who believe.

So let us not grow weary. Let’s not give up. Let’s press on.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

(1Corinthians 15:57-58 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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