Better Than Life

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Pete

If anything has become clear over the past years, months, and weeks, it is how wired for life we are. In the good times we seek to maximize it. In the not so good times we will go to great lengths to fight for it. Even as it ebbs away we will savor every last moment of it. Have being made in the image of God, the Author of Life, it’s in both our physical and spiritual DNA to desire life. Divine wisdom affirms that God has “put eternity into man’s heart” (Eccl. 3:11). And through the divine incarnation we are told that God lived among us so that, as His image-bearers, we could real life “and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

We are wired for life. Life is good–especially life lived connected to the Life-giver. But this morning the songwriter reminds me that there is something better than life.

Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.

(Psalm 63:3 ESV)

My Bible says that David wrote this song when he was in the wilderness. That his inspiration for the lyrics came when life was like “a dry and weary land where there is no water” (v. 1b). Living in a desert-like reality compelled him to earnestly seek His God. His soul thirsted for another encounter of the divine kind. His flesh longed to know again the touch of heaven. David knew relief could be found in seeing again that which he had seen in the holy place — “Your power and glory” (63:2). Why? Because he knew that God’s steadfast love, His unfailing favor, His over-flowing kindness, was better than life.

His steadfast love. The love that bought us. God sending His Son to pay the wages our sin demanded, conquering death so that life might reign.

The love that sought us. God, through the good news of the gospel, calling all to come and to receive the life-giving water which ultimately quenches all thirst.

The love that brought us. God, through His Spirit, drawing hearts to Himself, infusing the light of life where once there was only darkness.

It is a steadfast love. An unfailing love. An ever available love . . . even in the wilderness.

His love is better than life. Because life is no better than when lived in the shadow of God’s love.

And so, my lips will praise Him.

“So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips, when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night.”

(Psalm 63:4-6 ESV)

Wired for life. Worshiping the Author of Life and His steadfast love. Waiting for the life yet to be experienced when faith gives way to sight and we know face-to-face, in a whole new way, that love which is better than life.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Jesus Aware

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Pete

I suppose He might have seen the look on the faces of those who were offended and guessed what thoughts were running through their heads. Or perhaps during the woman’s display of extravagant worship He could have overhead the grumbling from those who thought that what she was doing was really an act of excessive waste. Or maybe, just maybe, He didn’t need to see their sour countenances or hear their disdainful words at all to know what was going in their hearts. Instead, being God and fully, Jesus was simply aware.

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to Me.”

(Matthew 26:6-10 ESV)

I love hovering over this account, my meditation informed but what I recall from John’s record of this over the top act of adoration (John 12:1-8). I imagine the hush in the room as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, interrupts dinner with a no holds barred demonstration of her desire. I wonder at what it would have been like as the house was filled with the over-whelming aroma of her sweet-smelling sacrifice to her Lord. I picture the pungent oil dripping from the head of the Master while His humble servant anoints His feet with her hair.

But this morning what catches my attention are the two words, “Jesus aware.”

He was fully present in that room. Able to intimately engage with those around the table as they broke bread and enjoyed abiding fellowship. Completely tuned in to the “beautiful thing” Mary was doing to Him–feeling the oil on His head, sensing the touch of her hands on His feet, aware completely of the devotion in her heart. And yes, even attuned to those who looked down their nose at the scene and murmured, “This is stupid!”

Jesus aware.

The Spirit reminding me this morning that He who died for my sin and rose for my justification has ascended to the Father’s right hand and even now is interceding for me (Rom. 8:34) . . . and interceding with full knowledge. Fully aware as to what’s going in my life . . . what’s running through my head . . . what’s impacting my heart. And this Jesus aware “is 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).

Jesus actively aware. Searching our hearts. Engaging our minds. Making well our souls.

Defending us against the attacks of our adversaries. Rebuking the trouble. Calming the storm.

Accepting whatever I’m able to offer as a beautiful thing.

Jesus aware. O blessed thought. Brings to mind this old hymn which recently was put back on my radar:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

~ Frank E. Graeff, 1901.

Jesus aware. A reminder of His great grace. All for His even greater glory.

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The Rock

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Pete

Sometimes morning devo’s are just about reading and reflecting. After taking a bite, you just want to chew on it . . . not necessarily create a post about it. That’s this morning. So, after some noodle time on Psalm 61 this morning I went back and read some of the thoughts I had “put to paper” in the past. Here’s something from a couple of years ago that puts into words some of what I need to remember this morning. Some musings from 2015 which help point me again to the Rock.

Situation assessment: You are at the end. The end of your options. The end of your resources. The end of your rope. You are as far away from where you want to be as you think you can be. What’s more, you are out of gas. Nothing left in the tank. Reserves depleted. Not physically necessarily, but emotionally. Your heart is faint. Overwhelmed. The fighting spirit is done. Situation assessment? Not so good. Recommended course of action? Commence prayer.

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings! Selah

(Psalm 61:1-5 ESV)

Hovering over the songwriter’s song this morning. Not let in on David’s situation exactly, but you’re thinking it’s probably one of those times when he’s in the wilderness. Far from home . . . far from the throne . . . far from the house of God . . . far from God’s holy hill. One of those times when he’s tired of being on the run. When he’s about done with being in hiding. One of those times when the promises of God are ringing a bit hollow . . . the blessings of God not overly apparent. He is as far away from “feeling God” as he can be . . . like being at the end of the earth.

But with what little emotional strength he still possesses, with the bit of holy determination he is still able to muster, he cries out to heaven, “Hear me, O God, listen to my prayer.”

Pretty simple prayer really. “Lead me to the rock!” That rock which is a strong tower . . . that rock which is an inhabitable tent . . . that rock which is a sheltering refuge. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

The songwriter knows of the rock. He has been on the rock. But He needs His God to guide him again to the rock . . . to transport him back to the rock . . . to carry him one more time to the rock. It’s a rock higher than he has the resources to ascend to. A rock beyond just “sucking it up” and “making it happen.” It’s a rock “higher than I.” But it’s a rock for the weary . . . a respite for the wandering . . . a refuge for the worn out.

And you don’t have to noodle very long on this before the r-o-c-k is spelled the S-a-v-i-o-r (-o-u-r for my Canadian friends).

I read of the rock higher than I and I think of the One who became lower than the angels for the suffering of death and is now crowned with glory and honor (Heb. 2:7-9). I think of the tent of eternal dwelling, and I think of all that it means to be “in Christ” . . . and of the grace that has “made us alive together with Christ” and has “raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:5-6). I think of the shelter of His wings, and the respite that is promised there, and I hear Him again inviting us, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29).

And so you look to the Rock . . . and with what seems like a last breath, you whisper heavenward, “Lead me there, Lord. Guide my storm-tossed ship to that harbor. Let my feet again know they are standing on solid ground.”

And He does. With all sufficient grace and a peace that passes understanding, even with circumstances unchanged, we are transported to higher ground. Reminded of our eternal dwelling. Comforted by His abiding shelter. Fortified against the attacks of the enemy.

All because of the Rock. The Rock that is higher than I.

And because of a loving Father who, with infinite patience and compassion, hears our cry and again leads us to the Rock.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Difference Adoption Makes

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Pete

From time to time there’s the temptation to fall back. To do what you’ve stopped doing. To respond the way you used to respond. To go where you no longer want to go.

Any number of things might trigger it, but the temptation’s lure is unmistakable. Its voice sounds something like this, “Sure you’ve known what it is to pursue holiness, but doesn’t this want to make you enjoy again the pleasure of sin for a season?” Or, “Ok, so washing other’s feet has been the right thing to do, but enough is enough. You’re in danger of becoming a doormat. Time to put yourself back on the throne for awhile.” Or maybe, “Rejoice in the Lord always? Really? Not in this. This is too much. Too hard. Let the grief numb you like others who have no hope. Stay in bed, no need to get back in the game. Let the sadness envelope you and wrap you in its listless cocoon.”

But though the temptation to fall back may rear its head periodically, we are told that God is faithful and that He will “provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1Cor. 10:13). And something I read in Romans this morning reminds me that at least part of “the way of escape” is the difference adoption makes.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

(Romans 8:14-17 ESV)

The opposite of a spirit of slavery which causes us to fall back is the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The remedy for retreat is the reminder that we children of God. The power to say, “Nope, not going there!” is the inner witness that we are kids with a future.

We are heirs . . . “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1Pet. 1:3-4). An inheritance awaiting us which is intricately intertwined with the inheritance awaiting the Son of God at the culmination of the age.

And so, because of our adoption, not only does our past not define us, neither does our present need to confine us. We have the power to resist temptation’s feeble attempts to enslave us again with fear and dread and despondency.

Because we are children with a sure future–the same Spirit of adoption being “the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (Eph. 1:14)–we need not fall back. Because we are led by the very power of Him who raised Christ from the dead, we can stand fast as we continue pursuing holiness, serving others, and not grieving like those who have no hope.

We can rejoice always.

Joyful in the hope . . . patient in tribulation . . . constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).

That’s the difference adoption makes. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Steadfast Heart

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Pete

Down in northern California for a couple of days checking out the new grandson. What a joy! But amid the joy, there’s still some sadness.

Not only have I heard it from my girls, but from others in our extended family as well, this week is turning out to be a tough week. Maybe week three is such a hard week because the need to get back to “doing life” increases the pressure to get back to normal . . . but normal has such a huge gap in it. Though the world keeps turning, there are so many indicators of the way in which the world has been turned upside down. Small things trigger large memories. And for every thought that wonders what Sue must be experiencing right now in Jesus’ presence, there are multiple reminders of what we are now missing because Sue is no longer in ours.

Maybe that’s why David’s admission, “My soul was bowed down,” catches my eye this morning as I read Psalm 57.

But while that may have caught my eye, it’s something else that has captivated my thoughts.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!

(Psalm 57:7 ESV)

A bowed down soul . . . and yet a steadfast heart.

David was in a cave as he continued to flee from the enemy. The storms of destruction raging (v.1). The days spent trying to keep on while in the midst of lions. The nights a battle as he tried to sleep among fiery beasts. Both of which seemed intent on consuming him (v.4). The traps had been set, the pit made ready (v.6). It was a lot to endure. So much so that it bowed his soul to the ground.

But if David had had Paul to read, I imagine he might also have said:

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

(2Corinthians 4:8-9 ESV)

How come? Because of a steadfast heart.

A heart that allowed David to respond to a bowed down soul with a lifted up cry to God Most High (v.2). That enabled David to work through seemingly overwhelming circumstances knowing that God had promised to fulfill His purpose for him (v.2). That reminded David of God’s unfailing faithfulness and of God’s unwavering love.

And because David really believed what he said he believed he could praise from the cave. The fruit of a steadfast heart.

Thank God for a steadfast heart. Not of my own making, but through the testimony of God’s living and active word. Not of my own sustaining, but with the help of God’s indwelling and ever-present Spirit. Not because I’m anything special, but based solely on the finished work of the eternal Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.

A steadfast heart. Sufficient to weather the day . . . and so much more. Sufficient also to restart the song for the day. To sing anew of His goodness. To make melody again of our hope. To awake the glory and give thanks to God among the people (v.8-9).

For Your steadfast love is great to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.

(Psalm 57:10 ESV)

All by His sustaining grace. All for His everlasting glory.

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Participation and Expectation

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Pete

No way! That’s Paul’s response to the question . . . no way! By no means are we to continue in sin so that grace may abound (Rom. 6:1). No longer should we play around in the muck just to show again and again how clean the blood of Christ can make us. We’re not to keep on pursuing the world and it’s realm of darkness so that God’s patience and kindness might repeatedly be redisplayed. To be sure, we will fail and falter, and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins because of Christ’s finished work on the cross, but we are not to presume upon it. That’s not grace’s end game.

While it’s true that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Rom. 5:20 AV), grace was never intended to be a perpetual counterbalance to sin’s ongoing dominion in our lives. Instead, grace abounded, it increased much more, so that it might redefine our lives. That now, grace would reign by the righteousness given through faith in Jesus Christ (5:21).

And what’s the power enabling grace to have governing authority over our minds and motives? Something I read in Romans this morning makes me think it’s tied to a participation and to an expectation.

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

(Romans 6:4 ESV)

That day when we confessed our need to be rescued from sin and believed that Christ had come to be the Savior from sin, we were united with Him. Just as He had died for our sin, by whatever measure of faith we had been given, we declared, though feebly perhaps, we wanted to die to our sin. That we were done with the old and were looking for something new. And so, just He was raised from the dead, we too were gifted with all we needed to walk in newness of life. Our participation in His death and resurrection becoming the enabling dynamic to walk free from sin’s dominion in our lives.

But beyond the promise of participation, what’s grabbed me particularly this morning is a promise which fuels a heightened expectation.

For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.

(Romans 6:5 ESV)

We shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. Future tense!

While it’s true that the believer currently knows something of resurrection power through the active agency of the indwelling Spirit of God, we ain’t seen nothing yet. ” For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (1Cor. 13:12).

Faith will give way to sight. Just as Christ anticipated being with the Father after His resurrection (John 17:11), we too live in the expectation of one day being absent from the body and present with the LORD (2Cor. 5:8). Just as Jesus reigns today through the power of an indestructible life (Heb. 7:16), we too, one day, will know the reality of doing life, real life, life to the full, as these natural bodies of ours are raised spiritual bodies. As that which was sown perishable, is raised imperishable. As that which was sown in dishonor, is one day raised in glory. As that which today is so weak, will eventually be raised in power (1Cor. 15:42-44).

Beyond the blessing of today’s participation in the life of Christ, we have been given the sure promise of tomorrow’s great expectation of being with Christ. Today, I am invited to lean in and to participate in the power of Christ’s resurrected life. One day, and perhaps sooner than I think, I have been told to look up and to expect being in the presence of His resurrected life.

Participation and expectation.

All because of grace. All for His glory.

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Let Grace Reign

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Pete

If we’re honest, though extending grace to others is certainly taking the high road, it’s not always the easy road. While being gracious might be the right thing to do, we don’t always feel like doing the right thing. While showing unmerited favor to others is something we know should mark us as believers, often we find that, though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. So how do we battle this reality? How do we let grace reign?

Something I read this morning in Romans provides a clue, I think.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one mans disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one Mans obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 5:18-21 ESV)

Grace reigns through righteousness. That’s what I’m chewing on.

Through Christ’s “one act of righteousness,” His obedience unto death, justification is available for all. The condemnation of sin erased for all who believe, as the wages of sin were paid in full on the cross. The debt having been forever erased. The ledger declared eternally clear. What’s more, by Christ’s obedience righteousness was imputed. His perfection credited to those who receive Him as Savior and acknowledge Him as Lord. The filthy rags of sin exchanged for the gifted garments of holiness.

Our right-standing before God having nothing do with our merit or works, but all to do with Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice. The righteousness we possess completely unrelated to who we are, but totally reflective of who He is.

And so, from that position of being justified and declared righteous, grace can reign.

Grace reigns through righteousness. Just as sin’s power of dominion is in the death it is certain to wield, so the power to extend grace is found in the righteousness that has been freely given through Christ’s victory on Calvary. As I recall the unmerited favor shown me, the high road just becomes the right road and I desire to extend to others what has already been extended to me.

Having been forgiven such a great debt, how I can hold other’s transgressions against me against them? Having been freely blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3) despite my past failures and present faltering, how can I not purpose to love others deeply, willing to let the divine love that envelopes me cover a multitude of other’s sins (1Pet. 4:8)?

“Freely you have received, freely give.”  ~ Jesus

(Matthew 10:8 NKJV)

It seems to me that the power enabling grace to reign is the perpetual reminder that I have nothing apart from what has been given to me and that I am nothing apart from who I am in Christ. The righteousness gifted me primes the pump of grace which can, by the Spirit’s enabling, flow abundantly to others.

Grace reigns through righteousness. Not my own, but His alone.

Let grace reign. That God might receive the glory.

Amen?

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Still Fully Convinced

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Pete

Fully convinced. Two words that always jump off the page when I read Romans 4.

Fully convinced. A defining attribute of Abraham, the first of whom God declares, “And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6).

Abraham believed God when told to leave his homeland and sojourn in a place completely unfamiliar to him that he might possess the land promised to him. He believed Jehovah when promised that, in that land, a great nation would rise up from his seed. And though his road took many unanticipated turns, though the way things played out often didn’t align with how he thought they’d play out, though, at times, it seemed things were going south when he was promised they’d end up north, through it all Abraham remained fully convinced.

The Spirit reminded me of this back in 2014. Those thoughts used this morning to again encourage this sometimes weary pilgrim as he embarks on a journey through uncharted territory.

Thought I’d rerun those 2014 thoughts . . .

He may not have known how it was gonna happen . . . but he knew it was gonna. To be sure, the timing became a bit of a stumbling block. A promise of children when you’re seventy-five and your wife is sixty-five . . . you gotta think it has to happen pretty quick. Apparently not . . . twenty-five years they waited. And I know, that in their impatience, they came up with an alternative way to “make it happen.” But the divine commentary of Scripture would seem to indicate that it was a plan born not so much out of a lack of faith in the promise, but of a confusion as to how it would be fulfilled given their barren circumstance. In fact, says the divine commentary of Romans 4, Abraham was fully convinced.

He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarahs womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

(Romans 4:19-22 ESV)

Approaching a hundred years old . . . a son and a maidservant reminding him of a “plan B” that kind of went south . . . a wife whose womb is more barren now than it was twenty-five years earlier when they had first received the promise . . . but, so says the Spirit through Paul’s writing, though Abraham was out of options and, naturally speaking, out of seed, he still trusted. In fact, though he had no idea how it could happen, Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised He’d do.

It says that he grew strong in faith. Maybe that’s what happens when you’ve tried everything you can think of and still nothing. When you’ve exhausted your bag of tricks, maybe then all you can do is believe that He who made the promise will be the One to fulfill the promise. Makes sense that if you’re going to keep on keepin’ on when you don’t know how . . . or for how long . . . all that you have left to draw on is faith in the One who is ever faithful to His word.

Fully convinced . . . fully persuaded . . . most surely believed.

That’s where we need to be as we wait for God . . . as we try and make sense of circumstances which make no sense . . . as we imagine a future that we’re not sure how to navigate. Fully convinced.

If we’re walking in the way we believe the Father has led and it becomes cluttered with unforeseen distractions . . . or obscured by unpredictable circumstances . . . or a detour appears where we never saw one coming . . . what’s left but to be fully convinced? As we walk with the Lord . . . as we look back and see His hand of leading . . . and yet find ourselves in a place that makes no sense . . . or things taking longer than we ever expected . . . or complications arising that we never imagined . . . what else is there to do but to trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, and to be fully convinced?

O to be fully convinced that God is able to do what He has promised. Despite our failures. Despite our errant plan B’s. Despite unwanted life circumstance.

Still fully convinced . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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Failure’s Response

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Pete

I know, I know . . . we’re all just sinners saved by grace. We’re not perfect, we’re still works in progress. God’s not finished with us yet. If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and make God out to be a liar (1John 1:8-10). I believe that. And I know that . . . boy do I know that! But, if you noodle on it for a bit, that King David fell as he did really is quite incredible, and disgustingly deplorable.

Hand-picked by God to sit on the throne over God’s chosen people. Having experienced repeated encounters of the divine kind, as God’s power came upon him more than once as he victoriously fought against both beast and giant. The Spirit of God having fallen upon him since the day Samuel anointed him as heir to the throne of Israel (1Sam. 16:13). Having known God’s protection through all his time of being on the run as jealous King Saul pursued him. Having received the unfailing promise of God to establish “the throne of his kingdom forever” (2Sam. 7:16). Victorious in battle. Untold wealth at his finger tips. He had it all–the best of both heaven and earth.

And so, to have taken another man’s wife into his royal chambers and then, as commander-in-chief, conspired to murder the man to cover his own sin really is unbelievable (2Sam. 11). To whom much is given, much is required. To the one entrusted with much, more will be demanded (Luke 12:48). So how could he? And how could it not have resulted in him being written off?

David’s sin was not some incidental mistake. Nor was it some momentary lapse of judgment. It was an epic failure. And what grabs me this morning as I read Psalm 51 is failure’s response.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned . . .

(Psalm 51:1-4a ESV)

When confronted with his sin, David appeals to God’s mercy. When convicted of his deceitful heart and treachery, treachery against God more than against man, David casts himself upon Elohim’s unfailing love. As he looks down at the garments stained with another man’s blood he turns to Jehovah in order to find washing and cleansing so that he might know renewal and restoration.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. . . . Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

(Psalm 51:7, 10, 12 ESV)

David has nothing to bring to the table. No way to make the wrong right. The woman is pregnant with his child. Her husband is dead. No undoing it.

What’s more, God has been betrayed. And simply increasing the number of animal offerings, simply engaging in more religious activity, won’t atone for the transgression. The only sacrifice acceptable in such a situation is a heart that mourns.

For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

(Psalm 51:16-17 ESV)

A broken and contrite heart. That’s failure’s response.

And, when that is our response for our failure, for any sin against a holy God is as David’s sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Abundant mercy blotting out our transgressions. Steadfast love purging us again with hyssop, applying afresh the blood of the Lamb that we might be washed of sin’s dark stain. Overflowing grace reaffirming that we are justified “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:24-25a).

And when that is the response for our failure, then we’ll know anew the response for God’s forgiveness . . .

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

(Psalm 51:14-15 ESV)

Our tongues will sing His praise!

Because of His unending grace. All for His unending glory.

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The Offering that Glorifies God

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Pete

It is the sacrifice that beats all other sacrifices. The offering which tops all other offerings. While the cost of such an offering is affordable to all, it appears that it is of unmeasurable value to God. The sacrifice of bulls, and rams, and birds pale in comparison to the offering of this treasure as God already owns every beast of the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills are His. But this offering is solely the offerer’s to give, rendered only as he or she determines. And while other offerings can be given mindlessly and solely out of habit, this sacrifice can only truly be given from the heart . . . a heart stirred of God to give to God . . . and thus, an offering that glorifies God.

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving . . . The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me . . .

(Psalm 50:14a, 23a ESV)

Through the songwriter of Psalm 50, the Mighty One, God the LORD, delivers some straight talk. It is God the judge who gathers His people around and says, in effect, Don’t think you can buy Me off with mindless good works. Don’t mistakenly think that your obedience, regardless of motive, somehow obligates Me to return the favor. Beware of thinking that I, the Almighty, am somehow pleased with rote sacrifice offered without thought. That I am moved by routine worship tendered apart from any heart engagement. Instead, it is the offering of thanks that truly honors Me.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been surprised a few times at the Spirit’s determination to move me towards thanksgiving. More than once, when the flesh just wanted to wallow in lament for what might have been, an unseen river instead flowed, washing away such self-absorbed desire and complaining, replacing it with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for what has been. And it hits me this morning, that in sending that living water, God in His kindness allowed me in some small way to glorify Him.

. . . give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(1Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)

I’m thinking that we are to give thanks no matter the situation because it evidences the reality of His sanctifying work in our lives. It’s not about somehow manufacturing some unnatural gratefulness. Instead, it’s about submitting to the supernatural moving of the Spirit as He gently provides context and orients afresh our hearts towards things above, invoking the mind of Christ in exalting His Father.

Giving thanks in all circumstances, offering thanksgiving as our sacrifice, glorifies God as it evidences the reality of His presence in our midst and His work in our lives.

No boasting in the offering of thanksgiving. For, while it is mine to give, it is sourced by His loving, gracious hand. Its genesis found in the cross and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Its beginning the unmerited favor of Father’s revelation and illumination of what it was for Him to give His Son as a once for all offering for my sin. Its prevailing presence a reminder that through the Spirit it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and that He lives always to glorify the Father.

Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.

(Hebrews 13:15 ESV)

What a privilege to be allowed of the Creator to bring Him anything that would delight Him. What a gift that He would provide such an offering through His abiding presence in all life’s circumstance. What joy when we are enabled to offer such sacrifice in His courts.

A sacrifice of thanksgiving . . . the offering above all offerings.

By His grace. For His glory.

 

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