He Touched Me

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Pete

I think it was a heavenly encounter of the Divine kind. I think Daniel had a one-on-one with the pre-incarnate Christ. Can’t say that I’m really well studied in such things, but as I read Daniel’s description of the Man he encountered on the banks of the Tigris (Dan. 10:4-6), it reminds me a lot of the description of the man John saw on the island called Patmos (Rev. 1:12-16).

Can’t be dogmatic about it. After all, if it was a the Second Person of the Trinity, the Omnipotent God, then how could the demonic prince of Persia have withstood Him 21 days (or even 21 seconds) and why did He need an assist from Michael the archangel? Have a couple of thoughts, but gonna need to noodle on that a bit more. For now, though, I’m going with it was Jesus manifest before He was Immanuel.

And here’s what seals the deal for me this morning. Here’s the thrice-repeated thought that confirms it’s Christ. Daniel says, three times, “He touched me.”

Then I heard the sound of His words, and as I heard the sound of His words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. And behold, a hand touched me . . . When He had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. . . . I said to Him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lords servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.

(Daniel 10:9-10a, 15-19 ESV)

Not only does Daniel’s vision of “the Man” sound a lot like John’s description of the risen and glorious Christ in Revelation 1, Daniel’s reaction to the “the Man” is pretty much the same, as well.  For John too went facedown at the site of the glorified Christ on Patmos.  And as with Daniel, the majestic Son of Man also touched John with His right hand saying, “Fear not” (Rev. 1:17).

Pretty similar to when John saw the glorified Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. John, along with Peter and James, were on the mountain when Jesus’ appearance was transformed before them and they were given “the Daniel view.”  Jesus’ face “shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light” (sounds familiar?) and then a voice from heaven spoke. And upon their encounter of the divine kind, John & Co. did just what Daniel did, they go facedown “and were terrified.” And what happens next?

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

(Matthew 17:7-8 ESV)

The touch of His hand. That’s the third “witness” testifying that Daniel encountered the pre-incarnate Christ. The first witness is His appearance–awesome, as would be expected. Then, there is the testimony of His holy presence driving someone to their face–a natural reaction to such a supernatural encounter. Finally, there is the witness of the touch of the Master’s hand–unexpected, God up close and personal with man.

“He touched me,” Daniel says. “Amen, me too!” I echo.

Whether it’s facedown in reverent fear and worship, or bowed down because of trial and testing, when His people are humbled before Him, it is the oft-repeated response of the Shepherd, and the frequently testified to reality of the sheep, that He touches them.

Fear dispelled.  Lips open again to speak to Him and praise Him. Strength renewed in the inner man to keep on seeking and serving Him. Sometimes through other followers of Jesus, sometimes through the living and active word of God, sometimes directly through the active agency of His abiding Spirit. But always resulting in the fresh experience of His divine touch.

He touched me.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Me Keeping, He Keeping

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Pete

It’s a joint responsibility between me and God. It involves my pursuit but stands upon His promise. I make every effort because of great anticipation, He commits His active agency to ensure a great consummation. Mine is to pursue eternal life, He’s in to deliver eternal life. I’ve been given divine resources to keep myself in the love of God, and He, because of who He is, is able to keep me from stumbling and to present me blameless. When it comes to contending for the faith, Jude reminds me this morning that it’s about me keeping and about He keeping.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. . . .

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 1:20-21, 24-25 ESV)

I am to keep myself in the love of God. I am to carefully attend to remaining in Christ. I need to keep my eyes open and my head in the game. Through faith strengthening fellowship and teaching, by divine perseverance in prayer, and in anticipation of the Christ’s eventual return, I am to guard against the loss or injury of this most precious faith graced to me.

But, praise God, it’s not left to me alone. While my keeping is about my attention to my salvation, it seems His keeping is about guarding my salvation. Same English word, two different words in the original. While I might seek to feed my faith, God determines to fortify it. He sets a guard.  He keeps watch. Nothing able to snatch me from His promised outcome. Eternally safe under his undistracted eye.

Mine is to engage in the pilgrimage. His is to ensure I make it home. Mine is to seek the kingdom, His is to bring me safely into that kingdom. Mine is to get ready. His is to present me to Himself as part of the Bride of Christ, “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

Me keeping. He keeping. We keeping.

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

(Jude 1:1-2 ESV)

What amazing grace. What anticipated joy.

To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ, be the glory.

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Right to the End

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Pete

Jesus knew that His time had come. This was it. Final countdown. T minus just a few hours. He had come from the Father into the world He created and soon He would return to the Father from the world He sought to redeem.

And He knew how it would all go down. He fully understood how the journey would have to be made. In just a few hours His sweat would be like drops of blood falling to the ground as He through anguished prayer anticipated what lay before Him. Shamefully abused at the hands of men. Painfully put to death on a Roman cross by the tide of rejection that would come from His own people. But more than that, He knew He would be forsaken by His Father. He readied Himself to see only God’s back as He who knew no sin would become sin for us.

A lot to anticipate. Hard to stay focused. But I’m reminded this morning that, despite what lay ahead, my Savior maintained a laser focus on those who had walked with Him.

Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved His dear companions, He continued to love them right to the end.

(John 13:1 ESV)

Right to the end. That’s how Jesus loves His own.

In these last hours spent with His disciples Jesus would wash their feet, leaving them an indelible reminder of the priority of being servants. He would reveal to them the coming and ministry of the Holy Spirit. He would exhort them to pursue spiritually fruitful lives through an abiding relationship with Him. He promised them He would come again for them. And He prayed for them: that they would be kept by God while in the world and that they would glorify God while in the world.

With all that lay before Him, Jesus still resolved to love His own . . . and to love them right to the end.

That’s how my Lord loves. Right to the end.

The work He has begun in those He has redeemed, He completes. The promises He makes to those who are of His flock, He keeps. The many rooms He prepares for those who by faith pursue His heavenly calling, He fills them all. The glory that’s His to behold, He will reveal.

The provision needed to partake in the divine nature? We’ve got it. Mercies new every morning? Count on them. Grace sufficient for the day? Flowing without measure.

That’s how our Savior keeps His own. Right to the end.

And we will praise Him. And, by His grace and enabling, we will serve Him. And one day, perhaps not too distant, we shall behold Him.

Loved right to the end. Saved to the uttermost. Not because of who we are , but because of what He’s done. Not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 1:24-25 ESV)

By His grace.  For His glory

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The Most High Rules!

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Pete

Kind of amazed at how the rock dropped into the pond last Tuesday night continues to make waves. The ripple effect still apparent. Calm waters nowhere in sight. To say that last week’s election continues to dominate the news cycle would probably be an understatement. Though some might think it’s time to move on, apparently not.

Maybe that’s why my reading in Daniel hit me in a way I’m not sure it’s hit me before. Maybe that’s why the ancient story of a great king who was humbled as a lowly beast has captured my thinking this morning. Maybe that’s why, despite all that’s going on in our world, my “pond” can be calm. Because I’m reminded that when it comes to the kingdoms of men, the Most High rules!

Don’t know what Nebuchadnezzar’s eating before he goes to bed at night, but whatever it is God was using it to get his attention. Daniel chapter four records another dream of the leader of the not-so-free world. Though he was at ease and prospering in his palace (4:4), one night when the lights go out another show comes on–a horror show. As he lays in bed he sees a dream that makes him afraid. He has a vision that alarms him.

He sees a great tree. Tall and strong. It reaches to the heaven, visible to the end of the whole earth. Providing food and protection for all brought under it’s towering branches. Magnificent. Nothing on earth surpassing it. But then a holy watchmen descends from heaven and orders, “Chop it down!”

How come?

“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”

(Daniel 4:17 ESV)

And the great king will hear heaven’s explanation for such a humbling two more times.

First, from Daniel when Daniel explains the dream and reveals the tree represents Nebuchadnezzar and tells the king he will be humbled “till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (4:25).

Then when, on a night when Nebuchadnezzar is bloated with pride and glorying in his own might and majesty, he himself hears the voice of heaven cry, “Chop it down,” and the king is brought low. Driven from among men. Dwelling with the beasts of the field. Eating grass like an ox. “Until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to who He will” (4:32).

And though I may not be the brightest bulb in the box, repeat something three times and I can start picking up what’s being laid down. God wants the living to know that the kingdoms of men, even our kingdom, is ruled by the Most High. He gives the seat of power to whom He will. Even setting over it the “lowliest of men” . . . the least likely of candidates.

Heaven rules.   (Daniel 4:26 ESV)

True in the political front. Equally true on the personal front.

What a gift Almighty God gave to the less-than-as-mighty-as-he-thought-he-was Nebuchadnezzar. What grace was extended to such a despot. Delivering him of his self-aggrandizement and revealing to him the true Potentate, the King of kings, the God Most High. And not to him only, but to all the living who have ears to hear.  That they too might know the Most High rules!

When we get that and believe that, no matter how big the rock dropped into the pond, the waters, though disturbed momentarily, will soon again become calm as glass. Because we turn our eyes upon the Most High . . . look full in His wonderful face . . . and the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

And the waves of worship then roll:

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored Him who lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

(Daniel 4:34 ESV)

Blessed be the Most High who rules.

What grace! What glory!

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Head in the Clouds

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Pete

Reading in Daniel this morning. Love the guy! Have always wanted to be like him. The model of what it means to be in the world but not of the world. Honors God at a young age by determining not to defile himself even though he is in the king’s court. Honored by God at a young age as he is given favor in the sight of his handlers and then enabled with talents and abilities that will propel him to places of power in the king’s court. Faithfully serves his “employer,” faithfully serves his God. But when the requirements of his secular job conflict with the responsibilities of his divine calling, no contest–divine calling wins. Even if it costs him everything (Daniel 6).

Like I said, you gotta love the guy!

And what grabs me this morning is that this guy is so grounded on earth because he so has his head in the clouds.

The repetition is impossible to miss in Daniel chapter two. It creates an underlying rhythm, a sort of cadence, that serves as a back beat as the drama plays out. Though things seem to be unraveling, it is obviously the anchor. Five times the phrase is repeated. Five times the reality is made clear. Our God is the God of heaven.

A crazy king has a crazy dream and makes a crazy demand of his advisors. Daniel tells his friends to pray and to “seek mercy from the God of heaven” (2:18).

Daniel stands before the crazy king concerning the crazy dream. The king demands, tell me what you know. Daniel says, I know nothing. “But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (2:28).

Daniel interprets the dream. A dream of kingdoms rising and falling. A dream sent to inform the crazy king that he is only king over his powerful nation and a king of kings because the God of heaven has given him “the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory” (2:37). A dream given to reveal to the king that while his kingdom and all subsequent kingdoms will eventually fall, “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed . . . and it shall stand forever (2:44).

And so Daniel, though dealing with the troubles of earth, has his head in the clouds.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise . . .”

(Daniel 2:19b-23a ESV)

Times and seasons may change on the earth, but it is all by the hand of the God of heaven. Kings will come and go, and this is by the sovereign determination of the God of heaven. Wisdom is given to the wise, and knowledge to those with understanding, but this too is sourced according to the will and purposes of the God heaven.

Want to make sense of the affairs of man? We need to be like Daniel. Long to make sense of our own affairs at times? Being like Daniel will help there too. We need our head in the clouds, knowing afresh that our God is the God of heaven.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

(Colossians 3:1-2 ESV)

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

(2Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)

Being so heavenly minded that, by God’s enabling, we might be of some earthly good.

Blessed be the God of heaven!

Because of His unfailing grace. All for His unfading glory.

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Worn Out Yet Worshiping

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Pete

What a contrast between two of my readings this morning. Job is overwhelmed by his many sores, his mental anguish, and his miserable comforters, and so says, “Surely now God has worn me out” (Job 16:7a). Mary, on the other hand, is overcome as she sees Martha serving while Lazarus is reclining, and so responds with over-the-top, extravagant sacrifice (John 12:1-3). Job’s face is red with weeping (16:16). Mary’s house is filled with the fragrance of worship.

To be worn out. To be worshiping. That’s what I’m hovering over this morning. At first it seems to form a continuum with worn out on one end and worship on the other. Each lying opposite to the other. But as I chew on it a bit I realize it’s anything but a continuum. You can be worn out yet worshiping.

Job didn’t know up from down. All he heard from his comforters was, “Blah, blah, blah!” And what he heard from heaven was nothing. No reason for God’s seeming determination to turn His wrath upon Job (16:9). No explanation as to why God had abandoned him to the ungodly (16:11). No clue as to God’s apparent resolve to break him with breach upon breach (16:14). Heaven was silent, God was nowhere to be found.

Mary’s world was so right. A sister doing what she did best, showing hospitality. A brother who, given that he was doing anything at all, was a living, breathing miracle beyond miracles. Once he was dead–literally dead . . . four days in the tomb dead–and now he was alive. And in their midst, was Jesus.. Heaven manifest in the flesh. God in the room.

Job could do nothing but sigh at the footstool of heaven. Mary was compelled to break open the best and anoint the feet of Jesus. Job had nothing but questions. Mary gave everything without question. And yet there is a connection between Job’s despair and Mary’s delight.

“Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high.” ~ Job

(Job 16:19 ESV)

Even in his confusion Job was confident that he had an advocate in heaven. Though heaven was silent, Job was never in doubt that heaven wasn’t unaware. He had a witness. He believed there was an intercessor, an advocate. He longed to know the mediator who could place his hand on both Job and God and plead Job’s case (Job 9:33). His miserable comforters had not spoken on his behalf, but he longed for a heaven-sent friend who would.

That friend sat around the table in Bethany while Martha served, Lazarus reclined, and Mary worshiped. Heaven’s divine Advocate was being made perfect by fully entering into the human experience on earth (Heb. 4:14-16). He too would know great suffering though He did nothing to deserve it. He too would experience heaven’s silence and know God’s back (Matt 27:46).

And having been worn out, He would also worship. He would offer His body as a living sacrifice. He would pour out His life, as Mary had poured out her perfume, as a sweet smelling aroma to heaven — the offering of atonement to end all offerings of atonement.

And He would rise from dead. Defeating despair. He would ascend to heaven. Taking His place as our forever High Priest, seated at the right hand of God, “able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25, 8:1). Infusing hope and renewal in times of confusion and silence.

And so, even when we’re worn out there is worship. In the silence reflecting on those times when we have sat around the table like the siblings in Bethany. Such memories sustaining us in times of trouble and reminding us of our Witness in heaven. Confident that there is One who testifies on our behalf on high.

“Blessed be the name of the LORD.”   (Job 1:21 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Hit

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Pete

It’s not like they had never thought of it before. Not even like they had never even tried to do it before. But now their determination was formalized. Now it went from what had been at best spontaneous reactions of rage to a clearly articulated proactive plan of intent. The high priest said it must be so and that it would be so. Jesus must die. Caiaphas put a hit out on the Man who claimed to be the Messiah.

So the chief priests and the Pharisee gathered the Council and said, “What are we to do? For this Man performs many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” . . . So from that day on they made plans to put Him to death.

(John 11:47-50, 53 ESV)

The irony of the fact that it was the resurrection of Lazarus that sealed the deal for these religious leaders never ceases to amaze me. Unlike their questioning of the man born blind in John 9, they never tried to cast any doubt that it was the same Lazarus who had verifiably died and had lain in the tomb four days who was now alive and walking again among them. There was no disputing that Lazarus was a living miracle. And it only stood to reason that living miracles have a way of drawing people to the One who performs such miracles. And these men had too much to lose for that to happen.

And so, they make a call: Jesus must die. They put a hit out on the Author of Life (sounds weird just saying that). And just as unbelievable, they also resolve to get rid of “the evidence.” “The chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus” (John 12:10). Crazy!

And as I’m chewing on the bizarre, hard-hearted, self-serving determination of these “men of God” I’m drawn to John’s Spirit-led commentary of what was really going down. Of what was really putting out the hit on Jesus.

[Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.

(John 11:51-52 ESV)

Jesus would die, not so these stiff-necked legalists could retain their position and stature, but so the lost sheep of Israel might be redeemed. So that those called to be children of God, Jew and Gentile, might be brought into the family. To make it real personal, Jesus died not because of the dark determination of these men, but because of the daunting debt owed due to my sin.

Sin separates from God. The wages of sin is death. So, in order to gather a people to Himself, God determined to pay the debt by His Son. Jesus died for the nations that God might redeem to Himself a people. It was my sin that put out the hit.

Jesus . . . the Lamb of God . . . crucified upon a cross at the hands of men. But not by the will of man. Instead by the loving determination of a sovereign God who so greatly desires fellowship with His creation that He would pay for our sin.

Jesus . . .the once-for-all atoning sacrifice, shedding His blood so that I, once dead in trespass and sin, might be made alive. That I, like Lazarus who was loosed from his grave clothes, might be freed from the bondage of sin and death.

It was my sin that determined His death. That one Man should die for the people, that all who believe might not perish.

O the love of God! O what a Savior!

Thanks be to God for His unfathomable grace! Praise be to God for His eternal glory!

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Did I Not Tell You?

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Pete

Whether you consider yourself on the winning side, the losing side, or on no side at all, I can’t imagine that anyone is not in a bit of shock and awe this morning. I didn’t stay up to watch the results. Instead I went to bed last night saying a prayer. And this morning I woke up, checked out my tablet, and started with a bit of prayer. And, not gonna lie, I was kind of anticipating hearing something back from heaven as I opened my Bible and went to my reading plan this morning. Here’s what awaited me . . .

“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”   ~ Jesus

(John 11:40 ESV)

And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us.

(1John 3:23 ESV)

The messenger sent to Jesus by the sisters came and spoke with a sense of urgency. Their brother, Lazarus, was sick . . . really sick! And though “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” He didn’t spring into action. He didn’t respond the way the sisters thought He should. Instead, He saw no need to change His plans. He remained where He was. Then, after two days, He purposed to make the two day journey to return to Judea. But by then He knew that Lazarus had already died. But this too, was according to plan.

“This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” . . . “and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.”   ~ Jesus

(John 11:4, 15 ESV)

Fast forward and Jesus is standing in front of a tomb, a cave, its entrance covered by a large stone. Inside the cave is the decomposing body of the man He loved. And Jesus says, “Take away the stone.” And at first there’s confusion and hesitation. If it made little sense to them that Lazarus should die, it made even less sense to now disturb his resting place. But, says Jesus, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

And that’s what John says we are called to do as God’s people. Believe. Believe in the name of God’s Son Jesus Christ. By faith get ready to see the glory of God.

How many of us have brushed up on our “government verses” over the past several months? Romans 13:1, “there is no authority except from God.” 1Peter 2:13-14, “Be subject for the Lords sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor or to governors as sent by him.” So “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25). “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1Tim. 1-2 ESV). “Did I not tell you,” says the Living Incarnate Word of God, “that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” Ours is to believe those God-breathed exhortations. Ours is to have faith.

Believe in the Son. One blog Sue and I read reminded us that Jesus wasn’t running for president because He already rules the universe.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through Him and for Him.

(Colossians 1:15-16 ESV)

All things created for Him. All things. The White House is for His sovereign purposes. The House of Commons (for my friends in the homeland) part of His divine plan. “Did I not tell you, that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

Believe in the Son and love one another. Regardless of what side we’re on this morning, what an opportunity for the church to be the church. Whether we consider ourselves among the winners, or the losers, or just the observers this morning, we are the manifestation of God’s multifaceted wisdom in heaven and on earth (Eph. 3:10). We rise above the politics and love on the people–first loving on those of the household of God and then, as heaven’s ordained ambassadors, those in need of heavenly citizenship. We transcend governments in order to shine forth the gospel.

“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

Yes You did, Lord! I believe; help my unbelief.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Amazing Grace . . . Not Arbitrary Grace

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Pete

Monday’s are my Sabbath. They are my down day. No alarm, rarely a schedule. My day to recoup, renew, and “rejoice in the wife of my youth” (Prov. 5:18). Thus, on most Mondays, while I will read, I usually won’t write. I’ll check off a day or two in my reading plan, but normally won’t spend the time to capture some thoughts in my journal. Consequently, anything that “grabs me” on Monday most often stays with me. But not this Monday. Yesterday I chewed on something that is still tasting pretty good this morning. A bit of an “aha moment” that I want to capture. A fresh realization that while grace is amazing, it certainly isn’t arbitrary.

A few years back while preaching in Genesis on Sunday mornings our pastor introduced the concept of inclusio to us. It’s the bracketing of a passage of text with the same set of words at the start and end. A way of identifying a unit of thought. A way of emphasizing the big idea of what’s enveloped by “the bracket.” I think I encountered an inclusio yesterday while reading a well known passage in Ezekiel 36.

Ezekiel 36:24-30 is God’s promise to Israel of a day when they will be re-gathered and regenerated. Through the mouth of the prophet, God promises to take Israel from all the nations where they have been scattered and bring them again into their own land. He also promises that He will cleanse them from their sin and idolatry. What’s more, God covenants to put a new heart and a new spirit within them–to remove their heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh.

And then, beyond any expectation, the LORD declares that He will put His Spirit within them, empowering them to walk in obedience in a way they’ve never been able to do in their own strength. He assures them, as was intended when He first called Abraham, that “you shall be My people, and I will be Your God. And I will deliver you from your uncleanness.”

That, my friends, is amazing grace! Unmerited favor. Made possible by a yet to be realized provision–the finished work of the cross of Christ. God sending Messiah, His own Son, to take on flesh that He might die as an atoning sacrifice for their sin (and for the sin of all who believe). Grace . . . God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense . . . Amazing grace!

And so often, as we marvel at the abundance of God’s grace we can’t help but focus on how blessed we are as recipients of grace. That God would choose to rescue a sinners such as us is beyond understanding. That He would determine to remove our transgressions from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12) is beyond reason. We’re just glad that if God was going to extend such amazing grace that we, by His grace, got in on it!

But here’s where the inclusio comes into play. The difference the bracketing phrase of God’s jaw-dropping promise to Israel made as I read and wondered over it–the same promise appropriated by all who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God. The reminder that, while it might be amazing grace, it certainly isn’t arbitrary grace.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate My holiness before their eyes. . . . It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD.”

(Ezekiel 36:22a, 32a ESV)

Not for your sake. That’s the inclusio.

Not for your sake, but for the sake of My holy name. Not just for your blessing, but for My reputation. Not just for your good, but more importantly for My glory.

God’s grace is given to reveal God’s goodness. His inexplicable leniency is to show forth His infinite love. His unmerited favor, to evidence His unsurpassed faithfulness. Recipients of grace are to reflect the holiness of God.

. . . not for your sake . . . but for the sake of My holy name . . .

Amazing grace? To be sure!

Arbitrary grace? God just looking for some way to love on someone? Not at all! But grace abundantly given so that God’s blessed and holy Name might ever be set apart.

That’s why “by grace” is only and always for His glory!

Amen?

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A Shepherd

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Pete

Thirteen times. That’s how many times the LORD God refers to His people as “My sheep” in Ezekiel 34. And it kind of grabbed my attention.

Ezekiel is called to prophecy against the shepherds of Israel. He is given words to indict those who should have had concern for the people of God. Those who were called to care for the flock of God. Those who should have tended to “My sheep.”

But they didn’t. My sheep are scattered, says the LORD. My sheep have become prey. My sheep have not been searched for. My sheep have not been fed.

And so, says the LORD, I will rescue My sheep. I will deliver them. I will save them. And I will give them a shepherd.

And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.

(Ezekiel 34:23-24 ESV)

Certainly not all who bore the banner of Israel were of God’s flock. He says that He would separate His sheep from the fake sheep, that He would “judge between sheep and sheep” (34:20-22). But for those who were His own, for those who He had called to be His people, He said He would rescue them and that He would provide for them a shepherd in the line of David and like David. What David had been to some degree, this promised prince would be to the fullest extent. A man after God’s own heart. A king. A shepherd.

One who would feed God’s sheep. One who would search for them when they strayed. One who would protect them from being preyed upon by the “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” One who would keep them safely together and lead them to green pasture. My sheep, says the LORD, will be shepherded by My servant.

And then my reading plan took me to John 10 and Jesus speaks.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand. I and the Father are one.”

(John 10:27-30 ESV)

That Ezekiel’s prophecy looks beyond Israel’s immediate rescue from captivity is clear. That the prophet’s assurance of deliverance is intended not just for the fleshly seed of Abraham but for all who are Abraham’s children because of faith is foreshadowed. That the prophetic promise of a Prince after the line of David coming to gather God’s chosen people and caring for them to the end should be fulfilled in Jesus was testified to by the Son of God Himself. “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:14).

And that He is my Shepherd is again this morning my comfort. I hear His voice, He knows my lot. By grace I seek to follow and He promises to lead. I love Him because He has first loved me.

“My sheep.” How God loves His sheep. What glorious provision has been made through His Servant, the greater David. What promise has been assured because of the finished work of the cross. What pasture there awaits when faith gives way to sight and we are forever with the Lord.

Safe in the arms of a shepherd. The good Shepherd. Our great Shepherd.

All by His grace. All for His glory.

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