Abundant Goodness

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Pete

It’s not the conclusion that the world would expect. Add it all up, and those outside the kingdom wouldn’t understand the songwriter’s math. The cause and effect equation just would not compute for most. But for David it wasn’t as much about what was seen but what was unseen. His state of mind less dictated by the chaos created by the circumstance but formed more through the calm available by knowing who was in control. So even when his world was kind of crashing down around him, the psalmist could still extol God’s abundant goodness.

Don’t know exactly what was going on in David’s world that inspired Psalm 31, but there was a lot!

As David takes inventory in his song he recounts how he is getting hammered from all sides. He writes of great affliction from without and of an equally great distress of soul within (31:7). He is spent with sorrow, overwhelmed by sighing. His strength is failing as if his bones are wasting away(31:10). He’s a reproach to his neighbors and an object of dread to his acquaintances. When people see him on the street they walk in the opposite direction (31:11). Externally, his adversaries plot against him (31:13). Internally, the weight of the knowledge of his own iniquity crushes him (31:10). Add it up and we’re talking what seems to be an unbearable mess. But David goes to a different place.

Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You and worked for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of the children of mankind!

(Psalm 31:19 ESV)

Abundant goodness? Really? Yeah, really!

Not just about what was happening. But David takes stock of life’s reality in the greater of context of God’s immensity. His God was a God of refuge, thus David would own Him as rock and fortress (31:3-4). His God had proven Himself as unfailing redeemer and so David would commit his spirit into God’s faithful hands (31:5). He cried out to God, asking Him to incline His ear, because He knew that His God saw his affliction and was not unacquainted with his grief (31:7).

He could trust in His God during this trial because he had been “wondrously shown His steadfast love” in previous trials (31:21). David had known before that feeling of, seemingly, being cut off from the Almighty’s sight. But he also recalled how, in fact, heaven had heard and responded to his previous pleas for mercy and cries for help (31:22).

And so, it does add up. It does compute. We can “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2) because we know our Father has stored up abundant goodness for those who fear Him. We can “consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” because “nothing will separate us from the love of Christ” and that in “all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:18, 35-37).

Do the math and the result is always the same: abundant goodness!

Love the LORD, all you His saints! The LORD preserves the faithful . . . Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

(Psalm 31:23:a-24 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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Do Not Fear the Fear

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Pete

They are standing at the base of a mountain that seems to be exploding before their very eyes. A cloud hangs over the mountain creating a thick darkness. The ground trembles under their feet, as the thunder reverberates over their head. The light show atop the mountain is unlike anything they’ve ever see–hard to tell whether the peals of lightning are descending upon it or ascending from it. As they look up all they can see is smoke atop the mountain. It envelopes everything while it ascends as if from a kiln. The whole upper portion of the mount seems to be on fire. And then, there’s that sound out of nowhere. A trumpet sound that grows louder and louder and louder. So what is it? It is the presence of God.

God had told Moses to gather the people, consecrate them, and have them stand at the base of the mountain on the day “the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all people” (Ex. 20:11). And so he did. And they did. And God did. And the experience was beyond awe inspiring. It was downright drive you to your face terrifying.

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”

(Exodus 20:18-19 ESV)

Understandable response, I’m thinking. Kind of sensory overload, I’m thinking. A sense of the Almighty’s holiness and my lack thereof, I’m thinking. A mediator makes sense, I’m thinking. Moses, you go and we’ll stand way over there, I’m thinking.

And how does Moses respond? Do not fear the fear.

Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin.”

(Exodus 20:20 ESV)

Do not fear. Really?!? Is that the best Moses has for them? Forget that the mountain is exploding under your feet. Ignore the fact that heaven is descending before your very eyes. Relax!

And yet, Moses says, God has orchestrated this so that you’ll learn to fear. Ok, that’s not making a lot of sense. Or is it?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10) and it is a fountain of life (Prov. 14:27)–real life, abundant life, eternal life. So whatever God does that helps “instill a deep and reverent awe within you” (MSG) is of great benefit. The fear of the LORD turns one away from evil (Prov. 16:6), it quenches the innate propensity to sin. And while we could never atone for our sin–our sin ultimately having been dealt with once and for all through the cross of Christ–where sin’s temptation is refused, access into the presence of God is maintained.

 And so, says Moses, fear not that which God uses to test you so that the fear of Him might be before you.

God is love. He is perfect love. And perfect love casts out fear (1John 4:18). And so, through this passage this morning, I’m encouraged to not be afraid of any trial or testing that God uses to further reveal Himself. I am to refuse to run and hide from whatever struggle is permitted that I might be reminded afresh that He is all-powerful and I am not, that He is all-knowing and I am not, that His steadfast love and faithfulness are sufficient even when my own resources are not. I’m not to fear that which reminds me He alone is awesome.

He wants us at the base of the mount. He wants us to behold His glory as we abide in His presence. Sometimes it may involve some shaky ground and a lot of scary stuff. But we are not to fear the fear.

The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

(Proverbs 19:23 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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My People

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Pete

If I had lived back then, and known then what I know now, I probably would have distanced myself from them.

If they were the only church in town back then, I’d probably have either started my own church with those of “like mind” or just worshiped at home with my family on Sundays.

If they weren’t the only church, then I’m pretty sure I’d go to a church where my church would never have invited their congregation over for an inter-church potluck fellowship. Where their elders wouldn’t have been asked to participate in the local ministerial. Where their bloggers wouldn’t have ended up on my feed.

In short, I’d probably wouldn’t have wanted to be associated in any way with the people from that church, the First Church of Corinth.

Thank God I’m not God. ‘Cause God calls them My people.

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. . . . And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are My people.”

(Acts 18:1, 8b-10 ESV)

We know from Paul’s letter to the believers at Corinth that those saved in Acts 18 eventually became pretty much a textbook church. A textbook on how NOT to do church. How not to maintain unity, creating partisan schisms within the church. How not to maintain purity, overlooking sin under the banner of grace. How not to maintain good visibility in the community, as they sued each other in pagan courts of law.

And the list goes on. Dabbling with idolatry in the world. Recklessly promoting drunkenness and derision around the Lord’s table. Though they were to be one body with many gifts coming together for one purpose, instead, during meeting they acted as self-promoting lone rangers creating chaos and confusion. Like I said, probably not a gathering I’d want any association with, much less want to attend.

But as I read in Acts this morning I was struck by the Lord’s instruction to Paul. Stay with these baptized believers, the Lord says. Hang with these redeemed souls who, by faith, have believed and received the message of the Christ crucified. Instruct those forgiven through the once-for-all atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

Paul, there’s no more important place for you to be over the next 18 months (18:11). No greater work you could be doing than to love on them and teach the word of God among them.

Why? Because they deserved it? Because of how well they’d turn out in a couple of years? Because of how they’d model the victorious Christian life? Nope! None of these. But because, says the Lord, they are My people.

Paul got it. He leads with it in his letter.

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus . . .

(1Corinthians 1:2-4 ESV)

This rag-tag bunch of slow learners were the church of God. They had been set apart as holy, robed in the righteousness of God’s Son. They didn’t need to earn their stripes, they were already called saints, already adopted as children, and already sealed with an eternal guarantee that what God had begun in them God would complete in them. It was grace that brought them safe thus far and grace would lead them home.

For all their faults they remained faultless in Christ. For every blunder, for every insane maneuver, for every cockamamie implementation of how the church should function, they remained the bride of Christ. One day to be presented to their glorious Bridegroom “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

Not to say that they were given a pass on growing in faith and maturity. Not that they would be excused from bearing witness for Christ in how they gathered. In fact, they were corrected. They were rebuked. They were disciplined.  Some even “slept” and had been taken home. But even that, because God had already, at great cost, claimed them as His own. Declaring them to be forever more, My people.

O that the church would love the church . . . the whole church. Those who get it and those who we think not so much. Those who align with our systematic theologies and ministry philosophies and those who don’t. Those who do Sundays like we do and those who do it different.

Maybe, because God has claimed all believers, even those like the Corinthians, as My people, perhaps I too need to see them more as my people.

Because of grace. For God’s glory.

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Looking in All the Wrong Places

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Pete

Paul was nothing if not bold. It was one thing to proclaim the kingdom in a synagogue. Another to take it to the streets and engage people in discussion in the marketplace. But to stand in front of a crowd of full-time philosophers would, I imagine, take things to a whole new level. To address those who did little but hang out and listen to the TED Talks of the day could have been, I think ,a bit intimidating. And then, choose the topic “Making the Unknown God Known?” Well, like I said, Paul was nothing if not bold.

So having spent a bit of time walking the streets of Athens, his heart becoming increasingly vexed as he saw the city full of idols, Paul accepted the invitation to the Areopagus, to Mars Hill, philosopher central. But rather than speak against all the inanimate objects of worship he had encountered, he chose instead to speak in defense of one of them. He drew attention to an altar bearing the inscription, “To the unknown God.” And Paul, in effect, says, “Let me tell you about Him.”

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”

(Acts 17:22-25 ESV)

Religious men, focused on the divine. Seeking men, ready to hear whoever they thought might have the latest insight on connecting with the deities. Yet blind men. For all the gods they had discovered, there remained One who was still a mystery. For everything they had learned to bow before, there was still a hole, still something missing. Something they sensed might be filled by an unknown god.

So how come? How come these askers weren’t finding any real answers? Why weren’t these seekers finding? Why, though they kept knocking, did the door remain shut? Because they were looking in all the wrong places.

They thought God was something that they needed to discover rather than Someone who had purposed to reveal Himself. That somehow He had to be defined within what they could conceive. That He’d be happy to dwell wherever they determined to build Him a house. That, though God, He somehow needed them to meet His needs. Thus, they made gods fashioned after their own imagination and wisdom. Having set themselves as the center of the universe, they looked out from themselves to find the divine–looking in all the wrong the places.

Instead, they needed to look around and ponder, “Who made the world?” They needed look in the mirror and ask, “What manner of creative power enabled me to be so fearfully and wonderfully made?” They needed to look up and wonder, “Who rules as Lord of heaven and earth?” And, having done so, they’d have realized that a god who is truly God has no needs. That a god who is truly God cannot be represented by anything made with human hands. That a god who is really God doesn’t need mortal men to service Him. That a god who is really God “makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make Him” (MSG).

And what grabbed me especially this morning is that while this unknown God patiently waits to be known His overflowing grace pours out from heaven as “He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Even while mankind determines to worship idols of their own making; to follow the religions of their own convenience; and to service gods who in the end they hope might benefit them. Even to these, God extends abundant common grace.

Because my God is a longsuffering God, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2Peter 3:9). Ready to take His place as the unknown god beside myriads of lesser gods while His Spirit moves through His ambassadors to call men and women to Himself.

My God seeks to be the known God. His existence made known through creation. His nature made known through His Incarnate Son. His love made known through the cross. His redemption made known through the gospel.

Our is a God who has gone to great lengths to reveal Himself and be known. We just need to stop looking in all the wrong places.

And that too, will be by His grace.

So that in all things He might receive the glory.

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The Bereans

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Pete

In the circles I traveled as a young believer they were lifted up as the gold standard for sermon follow-up. Though their time in Scripture’s spotlight was pretty brief, they’ve had a long lasting impact when it comes to being an example of what to do with teaching that sounds new or, perhaps, doesn’t quite align with what you’ve believed. What to do when somebody opens the word of God and seems to shed some light you haven’t seen before. They are the Bereans.

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed . . .

(Acts 17:10-12a ESV)

Paul and Silas ended up in Berea because they weren’t welcome in Thessalonica. In Thessalonica, those who thought they had a handle on God’s revelation hit the wall after three Sabbaths of meetings with Paul the itinerant rabbi . That’s all, three weeks. Three weeks of listening to Paul and Silas reason and explain from the Scriptures why the Messiah had to be a suffering Messiah and why the Jesus they proclaimed was the promised Anointed One. Three weeks during which some believed and received the gospel’s message and started following Christ by following Paul.

But also three weeks of growing jealousy among those who thought they had the corner on truth and that they should be the ones being followed (17:5). The religious elite didn’t like an alternative view presented to the way they had divided the Scriptures. And they really didn’t like that their influence was being undermined by these strangers with their strange teaching. And so they ran Paul and Silas out of town.

Enter Berea. That’s what Paul and Silas did, they entered Berea. And there too they went to the place where the Scriptures were revered and taught. There too they proclaimed the gospel. There too they reasoned from the Scriptures concerning the Christ. And there too some believed.

But there in Berea, unlike Thessalonica, the Jews, the religious leaders of Berea I take it, took a different approach to what was being taught. A “more noble” approach the Holy Spirit says. A higher approach based on a lower self-image. A more fair-minded approach unencumbered by trying to protect some sense of self-worth. A more open approach unrestricted by self-righteous know-it-all-ism. There they patiently tested the teaching rather than arrogantly trashing it.

The Bereans eagerly received the word as it was opened before them. They were open to what these traveling preachers were proclaiming. More than that, they were jazzed to consider afresh what it was the prophets were trying to foretell. And so, they leaned in. They took notes. And then? Well, it’s the “then” that makes these Bereans the gold standard. Then they opened up the Word and investigated the Scriptures themselves to see if what was being taught was something worth being caught.

Though the passages being preached were familiar, they didn’t consider that they knew it all. While they held their own convictions concerning God’s revelation, they were humble enough to recognize that they may not have had the full counsel of God completely figured out. Though this new teaching on the nature of Messiah’s deliverance didn’t quite align with what they’d always thought, they were open to taking it in and then working it out. And so, they’d go away and, with open eyes and open hearts, they’d open the Scriptures and trust the Holy Spirit to open their understanding.

How we need to be like the Bereans. Not that we should expect new revelation, but that we might be open to different interpretation and/or application. That when the word is preached in a way that maybe doesn’t quite align with what we’ve always believed, unless there’s a reason to suspect the preacher or teacher, we eagerly receive the proclamation of God’s word and then take it away and do our homework to see if perhaps God has graciously provided another gem for us to mine and place in our Scripture treasure chest.

To be sure, there are some foundational truths for which we too need to be ready to run people out of town if they proclaim a lesser Christ or a different gospel. But maybe for many of the things we tend to stop our ears at, we’d be better off to be like the Bereans even if it doesn’t alter our opinion. To humble ourselves. To recognize the propensity for bias and cry out, “Word of God speak.” To examine the Scriptures for ourselves to see if these things are so. To be like the Bereans.

Because of God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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My Father’s House

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Pete

Not gonna lie . . . kind of like our place. I like coming home. I like hanging out in our house. I like the floor plan. I like how it’s been furnished. I like how it’s been decorated. I think that, while it’s nice, it’s certainly not ostentatious. In fact, I like it cause I think it’s pretty practical and functional. And, it’s always felt warm and welcoming to me. A place where I can relax and recharge.

Yeah, I like being at home. Few places I’d rather be. But David nails one of those “few places” in his song this morning.

O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory dwells.

(Psalm 26:8 ESV)

I love my Father’s house. I like hanging out where the glory of His presence rests.

Every time I enter, it too feels like I’m coming home. A warm and welcoming place. A safe haven. A place where strength is renewed.

Has nothing to do with the floor plan, the furniture, or the features. But has everything to do with the foundation and the materials used to build it.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

(Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV)

My Father’s house, the place where His glory dwells, has nothing do with “sacred buildings.” Has nothing to do with brick and mortar. Not about the color of the windows or the stuff on the walls. Nothing to do with some inanimate structure, regardless of how ornate it might be.

Rather, it’s a living structure. Its centerpiece the living Son of God. Second Person of the Triune God. God incarnate. The promised Messiah. The suffering Servant. The one and only Savior. The Christ who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

According to the Scriptures . . . note that. While Christ is the living cornerstone of my Father’s house, the Scriptures are its living foundation. The word of the apostles and prophets. Not just ancient writings preserved on paper and ink (or cell phones and tablets). But the living word of God. Alive through the active agency of the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who is able to take the Scriptures and awaken the dead souls of men and women through them. To open wide the hard hearts of sinners with them. And to plant a living seed. A seed which, upon finding good soil, will grow and bear much fruit.

Yeah, my Father’s house is a living house. Built upon it’s living Head, founded upon His living Word. But what really makes it feel like home, is that it’s made with living stones.

. . . you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house . . .

(1Peter 2:5 ESV)

That’s why I love the habitation of God’s house. Because the glory is found in a place made up of people like me–sinners saved by grace, infused with the Spirit of God. Imperfect building materials deemed holy and made righteous in Christ. A place decorated with living trophies of grace, of all sizes, shapes, and different dispositions, yet all reflecting some facet of the manifold wisdom God. A living, functioning body, each member with differing gifts in differing measures, but all serving to build the house where God longs to dwell. A family growing together making up Abba’s abode. Brothers and sisters, crazy aunts and uncles, sometimes hard to get along with siblings, but all being made ready to be presented as a spotless bride before her adoring Bridegroom.

Living stones. All being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

That’s my Father’s house. That’s where the glory dwells.

O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house . . .

Not gonna lie . . . kind of like God’s place. Kind of like coming home.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Friend of God

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Pete

“Taste them again for the first time.” This Kellog’s Corn Flakes slogan from the 90’s was mentioned from the pulpit on Sunday as a way of introducing the sermon. When it comes to the word of God, God’s people would do well to heed the call.

Six years ago I started reading the English Standard Version of the Bible. So it’s become somewhat familiar. But looking back on past posts this morning I was reminded of the “freshness” that often emerged from reading passages where the ESV translators sometimes used very different words than what I had become used to in other translations. Reading these differences back then resulted often in a pleasant surprise and provided a fresh, frequently awe-inspiring twist to the “old old story” I had become familiar with. Thought I’d “re-run” some thoughts from 2011 on encountering one of these differences that caused me to taste, again for the first time, and see that the LORD is good! (Ps. 34:8)

—————————————–

This year I switched Bible translations for my morning devo’s. I’ve been a New King James (NKJV) guy for quite a few years. This year though, I decided to use the English Standard Version (ESV) as I work through my reading plan. Not a big departure really from what I’m used to, but I do find myself coming across phrases or ideas that I’d never “discovered” before in my reading. Little surprises. Unexpected aha’s. And in the case of this morning’s unanticipated discovery, a bit of a “Thanks be to God!” blessing.

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.

(Psalm 25:14 ESV)

Friendship with the Lord. Now how’s that for a phrase to noodle on. In the NKJV and NASB it’s rendered “The secret of the LORD.” In the NIV it’s “The LORD confides”.

The idea behind the word is that of being part of an inner circle . . . a council of familiar conversation . . . an assembly of familiar friends. It speaks of those who are confided in . . . those who are privileged to be “brought into the know”.

You can see where both translations are accurate, though each emphasizes something a bit different. The NKJV emphasizes the evidence of the relationship, the “secret.” Whereas the ESV emphasizes the relationship itself. The secret being for the inner council, those who know “friendship” with the LORD.

Friendship with the LORD. Friendship with Jehovah. Friendship with “the existing One”. A friend of God. That is the intimate relationship available for those who fear Him. For those whose sins are remembered no more (25:7) because of redeeming grace. For those who have been pardoned of their great guilt (25:11), having been justified by faith. These are the ones brought into intimate relationship with the Alpha and Omega, the One who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8).

To those who fear Him, our God confides as to His promises. He makes known to them His ways. He teaches them His paths. He faithfully leads them in the truth (25:4-5).

“Who has understood the mind of the Lord?” asks Paul. “We have the mind of the Christ,” comes the response (1Cor. 2:16).

Brought near through the blood of Christ, we have entered the inner council, and thus, the inner counsel of Jehovah . . . of I AM . . . of the Creator of all things. His secrets, to the degree He has chosen to reveal them to men, are made available to those who believe and have ears to hear. And we are not left to ourselves to decipher the high and holy ways of a God who is beyond our comprehension. Rather, we have been infused with the very Spirit of God as a permanent, resident instructor concerning the things of the secrets of the kingdom of God.

Knowing the secret things. Yeah, that’s a pretty good indicator of true friendship.

And while the secrets are evidence of the friendship, the relationship goes far beyond just Revealer / receiver. More than Teacher / student. Deeper than Master / disciple. Ours within this inner circle, is that of a close fellowship. Of sitting together at the dining table abiding in intimate communion. Knowing a heart of God to heart of man connection. He fully knows our frame (Ps. 103:14), and is familiar with our frailty and weakness (Heb. 4:15). We increasingly come to know His heart and the full dimensions of His love for us (Eph. 3:18-19). And so, the relationship grows, as do all healthy relationships.

Oh, to be a friend of God.

Not to presume on the relationship, but to ponder the privilege. To respond with a holy determination to remain faithful by His power and provision. To bow down and worship with a thankful heart.

By His grace. For His glory.

 

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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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