Not Who Am I But Who I AM

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Pete

He never answered the question. God had called to him, but God didn’t answer him, at least not directly. The one thing Moses wants to know about the mission God has ordained for him, and God leaves him hanging. Or does He? Maybe the best way God could have replied to Moses’, “Who am I?” was with, “Who I AM.”

The time had come. Over the centuries (yes centuries) God had, in great measure, fulfilled His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their seed had multiplied. “The people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that [Egypt] was filled with them” (Ex. 1:7). And while taking a census of them might not yet have been like trying to number the stars of heaven or trying to count the sand on the seashore (Gen. 22:17), they had become too many for the Egyptians to comfortably live alongside.

And so they were oppressed. The promised descendants of Abraham were forced into servitude by Egypt (best defense, thought Pharaoh, is an offense). “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves” (Ex. 1:12-13). And so the people of God cried out for deliverance. And so, determines the Almighty Sovereign God, the time had come for the people promised of God to head back to the land promised by God.

Cue Moses.

Born of God-fearing Levite stock. Raised in the courts of Egyptian royalty. In exile for “choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25). Nevertheless living the good life–for decades content to love his family and work for his father-in-law. And then came the call.

God had seen the affliction of His people. He had heard their cry because of their taskmasters. He knew their suffering. And He had determined to “come down to deliver them” (Ex. 3:7-8). But though God had said He would come down, it was actually Moses who would go in.

“And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

(Exodus 3:9-11 ESV)

“Who am I?” Kind of a legitimate question, if you ask me. No longer a spring chicken. Not exactly tuned into the Egyptian way any longer. In fact, quite likely still on Egypt’s “Most Wanted” list. And he’s going to be the one who waltzes into Pharaoh’s courts and says, “Hey Phar . . . we’re going home. Say good-bye to your workforce?”

And while God accepts Moses’ question. He doesn’t answer it specifically. Because it’s not about “who am I”, but about who I AM.

It was the I AM who cannot lie who had spoken the promise of a great nation inhabiting an amazing land. It was the I AM who ordains all things who had called Abraham, who had empowered a barren Sarah to conceive Isaac, and who had richly blessed Jacob.

The I AM who said to Moses, I have seen, I have heard, I have known, and I will come down. The I AM who said, “I will send you.” The I AM who also said, “But, I will be with you” (3:12).

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

(Exodus 3:14 ESV)

Moses was called. And so are we. And it will never be about “who am I?” but always about who I AM.

That our God might make known the greatness of His all-enabling power and the abundance of His all-sufficient grace, all for the glory of His eternal Name.

Amen?

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Gathering With the Congregation

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Pete

If Jesus looked forward to it, shouldn’t we? If, even before He actually experienced the blood-sweating, pain-producing, shame-bearing reality of the cross, Messiah anticipated that after His victory over sin and death He’d want to sing about it, then shouldn’t we also relish the opportunity to come together and declare the wonders of redemption’s finished work? I’m thinkin’ . . .

I will tell of Your name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel!

(Psalm 22:22-23 ESV)

I just see “Psalm 22” in my reading plan for the day and I shudder in anticipation of walking through this holy ground again. Whatever David’s experience was that inspired this song, Christ claimed it as His own from the cross.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

(Matthew 27:46 ESV)

Originally penned as the psalmist’s cry of confusion, David’s question becomes one of the defining cries of the Christ from the cross. The Son forsaken of the Father. The Lamb’s face turned toward heaven only to receive the Almighty’s back given to Calvary. Jesus who knew no sin was being made sin for us, and our God who is holy cannot regard iniquity and must judge it with holy wrath. And so Song 22 is Jesus’ song. The experience of David in whatever context he writes of, is magnified as it is read through the filter of Christ’s suffering at the hands of men for the sins of the world.

But then in verse 22 the song takes a sudden, almost out of place, turn. The dogs who surrounded Him are replaced with the brothers who will gather with Him. The Son’s tongue once so dry that it sticks to His jaws is then loosed pouring forth the excellencies of Father. The querying cry left unanswered on the cross becomes the declarative praise of God’s great deliverance amidst the congregation. And the heart once melted like wax is transformed into a soul on fire.

Jesus through the psalmist looked forward to singing with the saints. Shouldn’t we?

He anticipated standing together with all the brothers and sisters in awe of the Father. He foresaw that day when sweat drops of blood would give way to tears of joy. That time when seeming defeat would be swallowed up in unmistakable victory. When the ninth hour would give way to the hour of proclaiming God’s great and glorious Name with those of like faith.

The holy God of heaven inhabits the praise of His people on earth (22:3). So why wouldn’t we long for every opportunity presented to us to gather and worship together? Why not push everything else down the priority list which competes with standing with other children of God in fresh awe and wonder of God’s mighty works on our behalf?

If Jesus looks forward to gathering with the congregation, I’m thinking we should too.

From You comes My praise in the great congregation; My vows I will perform before those who fear Him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

(Psalm 22:25-26 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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Cup Half Empty?

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Pete

Jacob’s conversation with his new landlord, Pharaoh, caught my attention this morning.

He and his entire house had moved to Egypt. He had been reunited with the son he had loved above all his sons, the one who had been dead to him for decades, and now they were about to pitch their tents in the best Egypt had to offer to a bunch of herds keepers. But when asked by Pharaoh, “How’s life been treating you?” Jacob replies, in essence, “Could have been better.”

Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and stood him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the days of the years of your life?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years. Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their sojourning.”

(Genesis 47:7-9 ESV)

Few and evil. That’s how he summarizes the days of his life. Kind of sad in a way.

After all, he had such high hopes. And not just the “I wish I may, I wish I might” hopes. No, his hope was seeded by heaven sent, vision delivered, God spoken promises. The land was to be his. One day it would be occupied by him and his offspring. And his offspring? Well, they would be more than could be numbered. A great nation. And one that would eventually possess a far-reaching legacy–“and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 28:13-14).

But here he was. Not in the land of promise but in Egypt. Having left of land of his fathers because it was dead of famine. And he had walked into Egypt with only 70 people under his banner after 130 years and having fathered children through four wives.  70 people.  Pretty easy to do a headcount.  Nowhere near like trying to number the dust of the earth.

So when asked about his days, he says they weren’t as many as his father’s, Isaac, or his grandfather’s, Abraham. And those relatively few days had been hard and evil days.

He perhaps thought back to how he had schemed away his brother’s birthright and blessing and ended up a fugitive on the run. How he had served an uncle who was a hard taskmaster and just as deceitful as he was. How he had ended up in the middle of a jealousy war between unplanned two wives. How his daughter had been shamefully abused. How his boys constantly seemed to find a way to stir up trouble. And how a part of him had died inside when Joseph had been reported missing in action.

So here he was. Reaching the end at 130 years old, and not at a 175 or a 180 years old. With but a small clan, unlike the hoard his brother, Esau, was ruling over. Setting up tent in a foreign land . . . again!  Still a sojourner. Yet a pilgrim.

Few and evil. That’s how he described his days. Cup half empty. Heavy sigh.

Or was it really a cup half full?

How many people could say they had been visited by God? That the majestic sovereign God of all creation had made Himself known to them? That they were part of a pretty exclusive cohort who had been given promises by the God who cannot lie, One who possesses infinite power to make good on His pledge?

Bottom line was that Jacob had heard from God. He had wrestled with God. And all through his pilgrimage He had been assured by God, “I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (28:15). Not a bad place to be.

The best was yet to come. But in God’s timing. It would get tougher before it got better, but God’s presence would be sufficient. God would deliver, but Jacob wouldn’t see the final fulfillment this side of heaven. Yet, he still had the promise.

And so, “by faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff” because, like his fathers before him, “he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Heb. 11:21, 10).

The cups is always half full. Half full to overflowing. Because of the fullness of being in Christ, God’s blessed Son.

For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.

(2Corinthians 1:20 ESV)

Yes and amen!

By His grace. For His glory!

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Can You Hear Me Now?

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Pete

They’re presented as a two-volume set. Both are designed to speak to the souls of men–one more by how it is “tell-t”, the other by how it’s felt. Of the one, there are many translations and a myriad of ways it is packaged and presented. Of the other, only one copy, delivered every day in the same way. To enjoy the first, I most often hunch over my desk. To take in the other, I need to get outside and look up . . . look waaaayy up! And, it occurs to me, I tend to focus on the one and, for the most part, take for granted the other. And this morning, the volume I so often overlook, though it looks over me, seems to be whispering to my heart, “Can you hear me now?

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

(Psalm 19:1-4a ESV)

Ask me what I know about Psalm 19 and I’d tell you it is about the Word of God. The law of the Lord. His testimonies, His precepts, His commandments and rules.

And what about them? They are perfect. Sure and right. Pure and clean. True and righteous altogether. Sufficient to revive the soul, to make wise the simple, to rejoice the heart, even as they enlighten the eyes. More to be desired than finest gold, they also ignite the soul’s taste buds, “sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” And beyond all the Word’s intrinsic beauty and worth, in the keeping of it there is great reward. That’s what I most often would say Psalm 19 is about.

But that’s only one of two glorious ways in which, the songwriter says, God has revealed Himself.

We had a young couple speak to our congregation last Sunday of their desire and leading to work with New Tribes Mission and to bring the gospel to an “unreached people group”–a group of people who have no access to the gospel. No access because their language is unknown outside their own group thus, no verbal communication possible of the good news, no written record of the God-breathed Scriptures, no fellowship of believers in the region to make disciples. I was so inspired by this young couple who are ready to dedicate their lives to bringing the gospel to the “end of the earth.” But while these hidden people may not have access yet to the one true gospel, a loving and self-revealing Creator has ensured that they have access to the one true God.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

(Romans 1:19-20a ESV)

The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship (NLT). And ours is but to look up. To hit the pause button on the multiple matters vying for our attention and to focus on God’s daily “I’m here” declaration. To hit the mute button on our cacophonous world and listen to that voice “not heard” yet speaks “words to the end of the world.”

“Can you hear me now?” asks every sunrise. “Do you get the glory?” is the call of every night sky.

A two-volume set. The heavens above me, the Bible before me.

“Creation reveals God as the Mighty One, the God of Power . . . His Word reveals Him as the One who enters into covenant relationship with His people. God’s works reveal His knowledge and power . . . His Word reveals His love and grace.”

– William MacDonald

Both make known a God who has gone to such great lengths to be made known–even taking on flesh. Both glorify the Creator who has withheld nothing in order to redeem His creation–even His own Son. Both invoke worship of Him who alone is worthy of worship and invites our offerings of praise–even opening wide the way into the Holy of Holies through the finished work of the cross.

The heavens declare. The skies proclaim. Mine is to look up and listen.

By His grace. That they might make known anew His glory.

Amen?

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Forgetful and Fruitful

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Pete

We don’t know exactly how many years there were between the two boys, but we do know that Joseph and his wife had to come up with two baby names within seven years. And it must have been quite a discussion.

After all, her name was Asenath, which meant “belonging to the goddess Neith”, and she probably wanted her boys to also have names acknowledging one of the many gods of Egypt. Deity-related names, as well as deity worship, ran in her family. Her dad, the priest of On, had been named Poti-Pherah, “he whom the Ra (the sun god) gave.”

But her husband had other ideas when it came to naming their two sons.

And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my fathers house.” And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

(Genesis 41:50-52 ESV)

Joseph wanted the boys to have meaningful names as well. But rather than exalt some inert deity’s fame, every time he called their names he wanted to instead call to remembrance the living God’s favor. And so he named them Forgetful and Fruitful.

There was a lot to forget. A lot to let go of. Enough past to fuel bitterness well into the future. It had been over 13 years since he had been defrocked and deported. Back then he was the favored child. He was the apple of his father’s eye and he wore the clothes to prove it. And back then he was living in the land promised to his great-great-grandfather by the God who had revealed Himself through visitations and visions. Back then life was going pretty well.

But his older brothers despised his favored status and so, when the opportunity afforded itself, they got rid of him. They shredded his coat. They sold his freedom. And they severed his family ties.

So Joseph grew up in Egypt. He came of age in a foreign land with foreign gods. His special status removed. His servitude compelled. But though taken out of the land of God’s promise, He never left the hand of God’s promise. And, after some seventeen years, Joseph ended up ruling in Egypt.

Despite the loss suffered in Canaan, despite the difficulties growing up as a slave in Egypt, God’s favor remained on this child of promise. Joseph could forget what might have been as he took measure of what was. As he daily determined to acknowledge God’s faithful provision and the unmerited riches that were his, even in the land of his affliction. And every time he hugged his boys in the morning and put them to bed at night, Joseph would be reminded of the joy and contentment that came from being forgetful and fruitful.

And I’m thinking that mine is not to dwell on what might have been, or on what I think should be, but to recognize the ever-present hand of God’s undeserved favor through all life’s circumstance. To know that, just as Joseph had been promised great things by God in a vision, I too am a child in possession of great promises delivered through His Spirit. And that I should avoid the temptation to waver concerning the promise of God. Instead, mine is to, by faith, give glory to God, fully convinced that He is able to do what He has promised (Rom. 4:20-21). Mine is to remember that, though it might not be the same physical and material blessings that Joseph knew, I too have known God’s great provision in the land of my affliction. And so, I too can worship the God who can make me forgetful even as He has caused me to be fruitful.

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

(Psalm 30:5b ESV)

Because of grace. For His glory.

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But You Said

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Pete

He had survived the going away party, but he was worried that he might not make it through the homecoming gala.

It had been angry uncle Laban and “his kinsmen” you had pursued Jacob and Jacob’s clan as they sought to quietly steal away from Haran and go find a home back in Canaan. But now it was brother Esau who was headed to out to “greet” him. The same Esau who, twenty years earlier, had his birthright extorted and his blessing stolen by dear brother Jacob. The same Esau who was so enraged then that he couldn’t wait until their daddy died so that he could take out his scheming brother. The same Esau who caused Jacob to so fear for his life that Jacob took off to find his fortune back in Haran. The same Esau who now was coming out to welcome him home. Oh yeah, and, he wasn’t coming alone.

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.” Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.

(Genesis 32:6-7a ESV)

Jacob was distressed. Ya’ think?!?!

Crazy angry uncle Laban now behind him, he was anticipating even crazier murderous brother Esau in front of him. I don’t know, I’m thinking I’d be declaring “bust” on our “Canaan or Bust” trek. I’m thinking it’s time for a hard turn left and let’s find somewhere else to settle. But Jacob determines to proceed.

He makes plans to mitigate loss in case Esau attacks his entourage. He devises his own homecoming parade in order to shower Esau with gifts to try and appease any decades-long simmering wrath. And he wrestles in prayer . . . literally! All because he’s going home no matter what.

How come? Why assume the risk? Why keep going down the rocky road? Why not try and avoid the hard stuff?

And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ . . . Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But You said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.'”

(Genesis 32:9, 11-12 ESV)

“But You said” . . . those are the three words that caught my eye this morning.

Jacob was leaving Haran because God had told him it was time. Jacob was heading home because God had said long ago that He would deed that land to his family. Jacob was putting his family at risk because God had promised he would multiply his offspring beyond number. So, though Jacob feared Esau and was uncertain as to why he’d come to meet him with 400 men, Jacob maintained his course.  All because of, “but You said.”

It’s the way of the people of God–always has been, always will be–to proceed based on the promise. That’s why our enemy has been calling into question God’s word since the beginning . . . “Did God actually say?” (Gen. 3:1).

When the going gets tough, His promises keep us going. Against the odds, despite the opposition, in the face of uncertainty, if God says journey home so I can bless you, you set your face to home.

Gonna be easy? Not necessarily. Gonna be scary? Likely. Gonna be worth it all? Absolutely! That’s the nature of God’s promise.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him” these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

(1Corinthians 2:9-10a ESV)

“But You said.” And so we’ll keep on keepin’ on.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Can’t Buy Me Love

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Pete

Still not sure that I have Simon pegged (Acts 8:9-24). It’s recorded he believed the good news, but did he really? Truly a sheep? Or a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Saved guy with just a heart problem? Or still a sinner guy with a heart of stone. The iniquity that binds him, due to him being but a babe in Christ and new to the ways of the kingdom of heaven? Or an indicator that he was still blinded by the ruler of this world and pursuing his kingdom?

What I do know is that Simon liked being the center of attention. He made a living with displays of apparent power. He was a self-promoter; if people couldn’t recognize it themselves, he wouldn’t hesitate to let them know that “he himself was somebody great.” And people bought it . . . literally! They paid him good money to be amazed by his magic and power. He had it all! Or did he?

Philip the evangelist came to town and Simon heard the good news proclaimed. He listened as the evangelist declared the kingdom of God and the power of Jesus’ name to save. And like so many in Samaria, he too believed, was baptized, and followed after Philip. So far, so good.

But then it gets interesting. Peter and the apostles come to Samaria when they hear that revival has broken out. And in order to confirm that this outbreak of grace-provoked belief was of God, they seal the deal just as it had been sealed at Pentecost–with the outpouring of the Spirit of God. The apostles lay their hands on these new believers and they receive the Holy Spirit. And it’s evident to everyone that great power has come down from heaven. Simon included.

And the magician sees the opportunity to add to his “Simon the Great” bag of tricks. Not only is the gospel good for his soul, but the power that comes with it might be good for his career. And so he makes Peter an offer. He offers the apostle a sum of money saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” And Peter’s response is swift and sharp:

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.”

(Acts 8:20-21 ESV)

Was Simon still in a state of “perishing” or was Peter using words that would adequately indicate the degree to which he abhorred this baby believer’s sin? To be debated.

But was is beyond debate is this: Money can’t buy me love.

The gift cannot be purchased. Not the gift of the Holy Spirit. Nor the gift of God’s eternal salvation of which the Spirit testifies.

Not that our salvation is without price. In fact, it has been purchased at great cost.

. . . you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

(1Peter 1:18-19 ESV)

But the love God offers to a lost world is beyond the means of any man or woman to afford, even the richest of the rich. To think otherwise is to think foolishly. To act otherwise is to act wickedly. To reason that we can offer anything or do anything to merit God’s favor is an indicator of a “heart not right before God.” To entertain any thought that we have any means with which to bargain to profit from God’s abundant grace is a heart-attitude to be repented of. It is sin to be confessed that it might be sin which is forgiven.

Having believed, beware lest we somehow think that anything we have to offer God might obligate Him to bestow greater power or prestige.

Instead, let us rejoice in the gift. Free to all man, secured at great cost by Almighty God.

Let us walk in the power of the Spirit. Freely imparted. Our means of adoption (Rom. 8:15-16). Our agency of sanctification (2Thess. 2:13). Our guarantee of ultimate deliverance (Eph. 1:13-14).

And let us bow down and worship the Giver of every good gift.

By His grace. For His glory.

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. . . You’ll Fall for Anything

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Pete

Chewing on Stephen’s no-holds barred defense before the council. Less a defense perhaps, and more of a spanking. He is “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) and stands before the religious elite falsely accused of speaking “blasphemous words against Moses and God” (6:11). And Stephen takes these learned men of the word to school. He gives them a Reader’s Digest recap of God’s working among their people from Abraham to Moses and to the prophets. And, rather than defend his teaching, he lays bare their hard hearts.

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.”

(Acts 7:31 ESV)

Stephen makes clear the propensity of man to resist the provision of God. The sons of Israel were jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt (7:9). The tribes of Israel, though in bondage, were suspicious of Moses their deliverer, rejected him, and forced him into exile (7:29, 35). The delivered of Israel, even after having walked out of Egypt under Moses’ mighty hand, refused to obey him, turned their backs on him, “and in their hearts turned to Egypt” (7:39). And so, points out Stephen, these leaders of Israel continued in the way of their gene pool. Threatened by Jesus, refusing to recognize the power of His deeds and the truth of His words, they rejected Him as the promised Messiah. They betrayed and murdered the Righteous One.

Truth hurts! It cost Stephen his life.

But what grabbed me this morning in particular is the reminder of the dynamic created when God and His provision are rejected. The fact that to turn your back on one thing, is to turn your face to another. The reality that our hearts are not designed to be a vacuum; empty them of one thing and they will fill up with another. Stephen reminded his accusers that God has been in the deliverer-providing business since the beginning. But the natural inclination of the sin-infected hearts of men is to deny their need and reject His provision. And if you reject that, then you’ll fall for anything.

“And they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands.”

(Acts 7:39-41 ESV)

Really? A calf? Sure, it was a golden calf, but still, a calf? That’s what they wanted to call their god? This is what they chose to rely on to go before them as they headed into the wilderness? This was to be the object of their worship? The source of their rejoicing? Did they really think that any work of their hands could be worthy of the allegiance of their hearts? Apparently.

Reject Almighty God and you’ll fall for anything. Despise His revelation and you’ll believe anything. Trample under foot His great provision and you’ll follow anything.

A calf. Behold your god. Unreal!

But it is real. And not just for ancient Israel. But for modern man, as well. Saying, “Pass,” on heaven’s eternity, leaves only embracing earth’s futility. Failing to acknowledge the One who made us, leaves only self-actualizing what defines us. Rejecting the God who desires to dwell among us, leaves only our feeble abilities to try and manufacture something to satisfy us. Something fashioned from our own resources, built with our own hands. A calf. Really?

Oh that God’s people would beware of refusing the fullness of God’s provision. That we would guard our hearts from the temptation to turn again to Egypt. For if we fall for that, we’ll fall for anything.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.

(2Corinthians 2:14 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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What’s He Thinking?

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Pete

If I’m picking up what David is laying down this morning, then God sees me. Not just in some macro sense, as in, if God sees everything and knows everything then of course He sees me. Rather, it seems that God’s preferred method of looking upon “the children of man” is not through wide-angle binoculars, but with a pin-point focused microscope so that God actually sees me! The Almighty sees each person, as Spurgeon puts it, “as much and as perfectly as if there were no other creature in the universe.”

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORDs throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous . . .

(Psalm 11:4-5a ESV)

It was years ago when I first made the observation that God has eyelids. And through them He scrutinizes and thoroughly examines those made to bear His image.

His glory filling the heavens, He reigns supreme from His throne over all the earth. And yet, with His eyelids pressed together, He peers into the heart, soul, and circumstance of individuals. He inspects their actions and words. Intently, it’s like He squints to observe the unobservable, to know the thoughts and motivations of the heart.

Kind of intimidating, ain’t it!

So, what’s He thinking?

If God knows me so intimately, if He examines me so closely, how do I know how He’s processing these detailed observations?

. . . the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

(Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV)

The God-breathed Scriptures are my way of knowing what He’s seeing. My Bible is my microscope into His. Every time I open His Word, something of His ways are opened to me. Something of His thoughts are revealed to me. I can see, though dimly, what He sees. I can know, through the active agency of His Spirit, what He knows about me.

Still pretty intimidating. But at least I know, in some measure, the outcome of God’s scrutiny and the results of His testing.

But what do with it? What do I do when the dross becomes evident? When it’s been revealed that the old man is not as dead as he should be? When sin becomes evident?

Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

We hold fast our confession. His thorough examination not a reason to run and hide. Not intended that we’d be so discouraged we would cease and desist. Instead, we stand fast knowing that He who tests us with His eyelids has also provided for us through His Son. A great High Priest who knows our frailties and failings–tempted as we are, yet without sin. And through Him, because of His finished work on our behalf, when we’ve known the intense scrutiny of our God, we boldly approach the throne of grace. The throne of grace found at the foot of the cross.

That God knows me intimately is intimidating. That I can know what He knows through His Word can, at times, be somewhat demoralizing. But, that I can go to a place where grace abounds and forgiveness is again found through the blood of Christ, that is quite energizing.

O worship Him whose eyelids test the children of man.

Know His grace. Declare His glory.

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What To Do When There’s Nothing Else To Do

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Pete

I get the psalmist’s cry.

Why, O LORD, do You stand afar off?   Why do You hide yourself in times of trouble?

(Psalm 10:1 ESV)

Less a complaint based on facts, more on feeling. The head knows that a God who is omnipresent and omniscient is always present and aware of our circumstance. But the heart wonders why it feels so alone. Why God seems so remote and disinterested. Not quite sure what it should expect to feel but pretty certain it should be more than the seeming silence that it’s experiencing.

But I’m thinking it’s in such times–times when it feels like God has concealed Himself in some distant place–that you need to double-up on what you know to be true rather than how you feel about what’s happening. And I’m guessing that’s why something else penned by the songwriter in another song strikes such a chord this morning.

And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.  

(Psalm 9:10 ESV)

Though God might seem to be AWOL, He has not forsaken those who seek Him. Though it might feel like He has given us His back, He has not wavered from His plan to show us His face. Though we might feel on our own, His Son continues to beckon us to abide with Him. Though He might seem so far away, we can still draw near and trust Him.

And isn’t that what we need to do when there’s nothing else we can do? Trust Him? Trust in His Name?

The past has proven His faithfulness. We have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. We have known His power. Experienced His presence. Partaken of His provision.  Thus, we have committed ourselves to Him for our future.  And so, we take refuge in Him now as we navigate our present.  Maybe feeling a bit alone, but never alone.  His steadfast love never ceasing, His mercies new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).

Words tend to be few when we feel like nobody’s listening. We don’t know what to pray that we haven’t prayed many times before. And so, we depend increasingly on the Spirit within us to be groaning on our behalf before the throne of grace because we no longer know what to pray (Rom. 8:26).

But this we can say when we don’t what to say, “O LORD, I trust You.”

. . . for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

(1Timothy 1:12 NKJV)

Through His all sufficient and ever-abundant grace.

For His all deserving and everlasting glory.

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