Fear Not . . . I Am With You

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Pete

I guess there are saviors, and then there are saviors. There are the super-hero saviors who swoop in to rescue and then, just as quickly, fly away. Those who deliver from immediate danger, but may be busy somewhere else when the next crisis arises.

And then there is the Savior who delivers eternally and still abides daily. The One who wins our greatest battle, saving us from our greatest enemy, and yet sticks around to provide help in time of need for the day-to-day conflicts. Fear not, says the LORD, for I am with you.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. . . . Fear not, for I am with you . . . ”

(Isaiah 43:1b-3a, 5a ESV)

Love this portion of Isaiah. “Behold My Servant,” the LORD declares in Isaiah 42. Meek and gentle at His first appearing. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench” (Isa. 42:3). Yet, He will bring forth justice. Initially through His sacrifice on the cross where He will give Himself as the justly demanded payment for men’s and women’s sin. And then, at a future day, when He returns to rule and bring forth justice to all nations.

Behold My Servant. The rescuer from sin. The conqueror over death. So fear not, says the LORD, I have redeemed you.

And redeeming you, He says, I will remain with you. Whether it be passing through deep waters or raging rivers. Even if it involves the flames of fiery trials, the heat of which seems unbearable. In the water, through the fire, I will be with you, says the LORD.

And not so that I might comfort you as you go under for the third time. Not to fan you as the flames consume you. But I am with you so that you will not drown as the waters rise. I am with you so that you might walk through the fire without being burned. That you might endure the furnace, not just emerging intact but coming forth refined as silver or gold.

Fear not, for I am with you . . .

I am the LORD your God. I am the Holy One. I am your Savior.

O’ what a Savior!

Eternal redemption through His once for all sacrifice. Day by day renewal as, by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit, He communes with us. Moment by moment relief as He sojourns alongside down all the paths before us.

And so, says the LORD this morning, fear not. Don’t be afraid of the difficulties. Don’t dread the unknown. Don’t be frightened because of the difficulty. Fear not, for I am with you.

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

I am with you. A pretty powerful promise of God. A pretty awesome Savior!

A reminder of His all sufficient grace. A reason to give Him everlasting glory!

Amen?

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Teach Me to Wait!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Pete

Kind of an “aha moment” this morning as I continued to read in, and meditate on, Isaiah. The “aha?” Waiting is not the same as doing nothing. In fact, when we wait for the right thing it’s re-energizing. When we pause to focus on the right stuff it’s empowering. When we linger in anticipation it permits us to rise up with supernatural strength. Oh Lord, teach me to wait!

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)

This past year has been one of truly learning what it means to take it “one day at a time.” These past six months especially have been consistently marked by thanking God for the day just experienced before we turn out the lights every night and, of becoming more and more aware of His “new every morning” mercies as we wake up each morning and head into the day before us. It’s kind of what you do when there’s not much else you can do. But, I’m reminded by Isaiah this morning, it’s doing a lot!

Waiting is not the same as doing nothing. Doing nothing is not the same as waiting.

Waiting is not default inaction when you’re wasted and wiped out. It is an intentional focusing on things above . . . the conscious act of putting the “here and now” in the context of the “there and then” . . . the purposeful application of the never failing promises of God toward dealing with the seemingly never ending concerns of today.

Waiting is doing something. When the waiting is on the LORD, then it is, in glorious reality, a refueling, a reviving, a renewing of strength. It brings power to the faint and strength to those with no might. That’s the promise of God’s word.

For it lies not just in waiting, but in who we purpose to wait upon. The LORD, Jehovah, is “the existing One.” He is the I AM. The everlasting God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. As such, He does not faint. He cannot grow weary. And the storehouse of His understanding of our condition is beyond exploring. So, out of the abundance of who He is, He is able to give liberally, and supernaturally, to those who wait. Power to the faint. Increased strength to those without might.

When our natural resources are depleted . . . when our own vitality, our own strength, our own positive energy is gone . . . when the marathon of life seemingly taps out our natural talents and training (and it will), then waiting on the LORD becomes our means to renewal. Abiding with Him, our revival. Lingering over His word, our reassurance. Remembering His promises, our refueling. Appropriating anew His power, our re-launching.

For then we take on wings to fly. Like eagles, we mount up above the troubles of the day. Able, by Him and through Him, to soar even when carrying a heavy load.

For then we’re given fresh legs to run the race. Drawing on supernatural stamina to keep on keepin’ on as we walk whatever road God has allowed us to travel.

Waiting is doing something. Lord, teach me to wait!

By Your grace. For Your glory.

(Chewing on this brought back a song from long ago. If you have a couple more minutes, check it out here.)

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Taking Off My Shoes

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Pete

Reading King Hezekiah’s story in Isaiah this morning. Most notable about this king? He received an extension . . . an extension on his life. Knowing that his days on earth were drawing to a close (because God had told them they were), King Hezekiah interceded on his own behalf and God said, “Yes.”

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.”

(Isaiah 38:4-5 ESV)

Pretty amazing if you pause to think about it. I don’t think God was “bluffing” when, through Isaiah, He told Hezekiah to set his house in order because Hezekiah would not recover from the sickness that had brought him to the point of death (38:1). I kind of think that Hezekiah had come to the end of the days God had written for him in His book–“the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Ps. 139:16). And yet, God tacks on another 5,400 days to Hezekiah’s earthly lifespan. Due, certainly, to God’s sovereign purposes. But also in response to Hezekiah’s impassioned plea. God heard Hezekiah’s prayer.

Says something about Hezekiah as a prayer.

It seems that when Hezekiah addressed heaven, heaven listened. When the King asked, he was heard. When he knocked, the door was answered. How come? Well I think, at least in part, due to the fact that when Hezekiah entered the presence of the Almighty, he first took off his shoes.

I make that observation based on another prayer of Hezekiah I read this morning. One that happened earlier in his life when he was out-numbered and being badgered by an arrogant Assyrian horde. And though the situation was desperate, though there may have been good reason to frantically start launching petitions heavenward, Hezekiah reminds himself of who he is about to address. He remembers who God is and that to enter into His presence, no matter how great the emergency is, is to stand on holy ground. And, when you are about to enter onto holy ground, taking off your shoes is just the right thing to do (Ex. 3:5).

. . . and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see . . .

(Isaiah 37:14b-17a ESV)

The enemy was at the gate, yet Hezekiah first reminded himself who was enthroned on high. They were almost 200,000 fighting men. Yet God is the God who alone is over all the kingdoms. They threatened to take over the city. But Hezekiah prayed to the One who made heaven and earth. No doubt Hezekiah approached the LORD with a great sense of angst over the situation, but He also approached with a great sense of awe as he looked up from the footstool of the Sovereign.

And I’m thinking this is part of the power in Hezekiah’s prayer life. A prayer life that repelled an enemies army and that moved the hand of God to grant 15 more years of life. A prayer life seemingly marked by an intentional awareness of the majesty, glory, and power of the One being petitioned. A prayer life marked by a recognition that to boldly approach the throne of grace is, in fact, to enter onto holy ground. A prayer life marked by first taking of his shoes before entering into God’s holy presence.

O how I need to be careful of “rushing in”, delivering my list of petitions, and then rushing out. How I need to recognize the holy ground I’m graciously permitted to stand upon and to make the time to take off my shoes.

Because of His grace. All for His glory.

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The Highway of Holiness

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Pete

It’s a prophecy concerning them, but it has been preserved for us. Depending on how you interpret it, it’s either been fulfilled or will be fulfilled . . . or, perhaps, was partially fulfilled and is yet to be fully fulfilled. But either way, I think it’s fair to say it pictures the believer’s unseen reality today. It’s about a journey. And it’s about a road. And that road is the Highway of Holiness.

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

(Isaiah 35:8-10 ESV)

A promise for God’s ancient people, Israel. The pathway for all God’s today people, the Church. Those who are “the redeemed.” “The ransomed of the LORD” who have been bought with great price by the God of Heaven through the finished work of the Christ, God’s own Son, on the cross. We are on that highway, the Highway of Holiness.

In a sense it’s a toll highway. Access is restricted, “the unclean shall not pass over it.” Yet it is available to everyone. Accessible to all who, by faith, seek to enter the Way believing Jesus has paid “the toll” in full–His shed blood sufficient to cleanse us from all sin (1John 1:7b).

It is the Way of Holiness. Not our own, but the holiness and righteousness of Another which has been credited to our account. What’s more, while having been set apart as holy, as we travel the way we are being made holy. The Way having a sanctifying impact on all who pursue it and keep on keepin’ on.

And there’s no getting lost on this road. Having entered, no one will go astray. Sure, there may be wrong turns along the way. Maybe a detour or two. But, having entered the Way based on the work of another, the Son of God, we journey along the Way with the guidance of Another, the Spirit of God. And “they shall not go astray.” The work started will be completed (Php. 1:6). The destination will be reached. Jesus “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).

Isaiah’s vision is of a highway without danger–no lion, no ravenous beast. Our reality, however, is aware of an adversary that “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pet. 5:8) but one who has no power over us, an enemy defeated. When we set ourselves against him, he flees (James 4:7b)–no place for him on the Road.

And this Highway leads to Zion. To God’s holy hill. To the place where His throne is established forever. To the place where His glory dwells in its fullness. And there we shall behold Him! Faith’s journey having given way to a face-to-face reality.

Any wonder that we travel the road with singing? Is it surprising that given what lies at the end of the highway, gladness and joy have a way of displacing the sorrow and sighing? Everything that is encountered in the “here and now” is seen in the context of the “there and then” and, as such, everlasting joy envelopes every mile of the journey.

The Highway of Holiness. An ancient prophecy but my current reality.

All because of grace. All for God’s glory.

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Buy Truth

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Pete

Last night I worked on some budgeting with one of my girls. She and I sat together in front of a computer screen and an open spreadsheet–me typing, she telling me what to type as she looked on via FaceTime (gotta love technology!). It was time for her to get a handle on her income and expenses. Time to figure out required vs. discretionary spending. Time to understand what was left over at the end of a month as “disposable income.” And it’s got me thinking that what we’re wise to do, from time to time, with our money account, we’d be wise to do with our time account as well.

Only so much time gets deposited into the time account. Our monthly “income” of time is fixed. And there’s some non-negotiable “expenses” that we will have to pay out from our account. We need to sleep. The majority of us need to work. Then there are the withdrawals from the account that just come from doing life–eating, commuting, servicing family needs, and so on. But, I’m guessing for at least most of us, after we’ve accounted for our mandatory time expenses against our fixed income, we all end up with some amount of “disposable income.” We all have a certain amount of time that can be spent at our discretion.

Oh, what to do with whatever “windfall” we have left over?

Well, from my reading in Proverbs this morning, one investment opportunity jumped off the page. One suggestion (more of a command, actually) I’m chewing on as to where at least some of that disposable time can be tendered. Buy truth!

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

(Proverbs 23:23 ESV)

So where do we buy truth from? On the night of His betrayal, Jesus interceded for His followers before His Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). So let’s start there. If we want to buy truth, if we want to be marked by truth, we are going to need to spend some of our time account on God’s word.

Make no mistake about it, truth needs to be bought and the currency for making such a purchase is our time,  And, it’s more than just the time we spend being fed from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. I heard a preacher say years ago that sermons are but advertised truth and that, if you want to buy that truth for yourself, you need to spend time “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so” (Acts 17:11).

Man shall not live on three point sermons alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

(Matthew 4:4 (sort of) PLT (Pete’s Loose Translation))

The preacher can lay it out there. The teacher can set the table. But you can’t really be picking up what’s being laid down without a bit of investment and effort. No way around it, buying truth is going to require using up some of that “disposable income.” It’s going to demand that we direct some of our discretionary time to the word of God. But the returns on such an investment are pretty much beyond counting. The payback is transformation through the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2).

In fact, if we really believed that to be true, then the time needed to buy truth would no longer be viewed as an optional expense. What’s more, once we’ve experienced the “return on investment” of spending time to buy truth, we start budgeting for “the expense” under the “required” category along with sleeping, eating, and working.

Spend time on buying truth from the storehouse of God’s word. That’s Wisdom’s plea.

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

(Proverbs 23:12, 19, 26 ESV)

Reviewing our financial budgeting is just a smart and prudent thing to do from time to time. So is a periodic consideration of how we’re spending and investing our time account. Oh that God’s people would allocate generously towards spending time in God’s word.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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A People of Refuge

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Pete

When I read in the morning I’m on the lookout for a number of themes, each associated with a specific way I’ll mark my Bible. This morning it’s something I shaded in red that has me thinking–the color I use for observations about “the church” or, more generally, “the people of God.” Sometimes I’ll observe an attribute of the church or an affection of God towards His people. Sometimes it’s a “one another” command, other times it’s just a dynamic that seems to have marked family life. And, quite often, I’ll take note of how the people of God are referred to. The names or analogies used to describe God’s chosen inheritance revealing something of how God sees His children and how we should see ourselves.

Whether individuals are referred to as “brother”, “sister”, or “beloved” . . . or the whole is called ” the saints”, “the body of Christ”, or “the household of faith”, if every word I’m reading is God-breathed then every descriptor is carefully chosen and thus is there for my instruction . . . and for my meditation.

This morning it was such a reference that was shaded in red. A way of referring to believers that’s got me noodling. We are a people of refuge.

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

(Hebrews 6:17-18 ESV)

Context? The writer is addressing believers, particularly Jewish believers, who are having second thoughts about following Christ. It’s been hard, really hard. And there’s something tempting about going back to the more familiar ways, to the more culturally acceptable ways. But the writer to the Hebrews contends for their faith with one grand theme, “Jesus is better!” Not only is He better, He is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel. He is the deliver superior to Moses. He is the Sabbath rest foreshadowed since creation. And He is the “Yes” and “Amen” of the promises made to Abraham.

And God’s promises and purposes, like God Himself, are unchangeable. Thus, they are a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” And those who hold fast to such hope are those “who have fled for refuge.”

No doubt there is a allusion here to the cities of refuge (Numbers 35) established when God’s ancient people moved into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob–places where those who took another life accidentally could flee to avoid the “avenger of blood.” Jesus being the greater city of refuge.

Of those ancient cities their were six to increase the chances that someone could make it to safety before the avenger overtook them. Of the Christ there is but one, accessible by all, all the time, who call on His name. Only those who had committed manslaughter could avail themselves of the city, but Christ our refuge is available to all sorts of sinners, His shed blood sufficient to atone for all manner of transgression. For those who fled to a city of refuge, they were to remain in a manner of exile within the walls of the city. For us who have fled to Christ, we remain in Him only to find great freedom and liberty. Having fled to Him for refuge we have been released from the condemnation of sin and reborn to know true life, . . . abundant life, . . .  eternal life.

But beyond the picture of the city of refuge, there is a sense in this banner for God’s people of a ship that has sailed for safe harbor to escape tempestuous seas. Of those who have sought a haven of rest from the storms of life. And whereas the refuge of the city is a once for all fleeing to escape the debt of sin, the refuge of the port is available continually, as God’s people are beckoned to continually enter “into the inner place behind the curtain” (6:19b).

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

We who have fled for refuge are a people of refuge. Those who have found safety in the shadow of the cross. Those who have found sustaining grace in the arms of God. Those who have found sufficient strength for the day as we abide in Christ. Those who walk with abiding assurance through the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit.

A people of refuge . . . worth noodling on.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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We Wait

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Pete

So often what gets you wrapped around the axle with prophecy is trying to lock down the “when.” When will that happen? In ancient Israel’s day? During Christ’s first advent? At His second advent? At the tribulation? During the millennial reign of Christ? When the new heaven and earth come into being? And to be honest, for me at least, it can be kind of exhausting to try and figure out the “when.”

So this morning, I’m just chewing on the “what.” And then knowing that mine is to wait.

Glorious promise in Isaiah 25:6-8 this morning. A day when, “on this mountain” the LORD of heaven’s armies will host an over-the-top feast for ALL PEOPLES of the earth. A day when He will swallow up “the covering that is cast over ALL PEOPLES, the veil that is spread over ALL NATIONS”–a day when “He will swallow up death forever.” And on that day He will “wipe away tears from ALL FACES” and all shame and disgrace will be taken away from ALL THE EARTH.

Noodle on that for a bit. A day when ALL PEOPLE will be liberated from the bondage of death. A day when ALL NATIONS will know what it is to freed from sin. A day when tears are a thing of the past for EVERYONE.

A promise for “that day” but a promise which, for those who walk by faith, is known today in part, though seen as in “a mirror dimly” (1Cor. 13:9-12). Knowing that Christ’s death on the cross paid the price for sin once for all–our reproach removed. Assured through faith that His resurrection evidenced His conquering power over death–the veil removed and death swallowed up forever. His abiding presence supplying all sufficient grace so that even the tears dry up for a time as they are displaced by an overriding joy when we come into various trials and temptations.

But we have yet to see the promise fulfilled in its entirety. Still wrestling with sin, though there is forgiveness and restoration through the blood of the Lamb (1John 1:9). Still battling death, though we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Cor. 5:8). Tears still slide down our cheeks though we know the touch of the God of all comfort (2Cor. 1:3) and the reality of the peace that passes all understanding (Php. 4:6-7).

And so, we wait. Of that Isaiah prophecies as well:

It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

(Isaiah 25:9 ESV)

For now, we wait. And we wait with anticipation. Faith will give way to sight. The fullness of our salvation is nearer today than it was yesterday.

We have been saved from the penalty of sin through the finished work of the cross. We are being saved from the power of sin as we walk in the new man, clothed with Christ’s righteousness, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. And we live in expectation of a day when we will be saved from the very presence of sin when we are forever in the presence of our holy, holy, holy God. The shroud of death forever gone. The reproach of sin no longer even a memory. Tears of sorrow a thing of the past.

In the meantime we desire to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, submitting to God’s work in us, “both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Php. 2:12-13). In the meantime we labor for His kingdom until He returns. In the meantime we wait.

And in that day we will proclaim, “Behold, this is our God! Behold, this is our LORD! Let us be glad and rejoice in the fullness of His salvation!”

All because of His grace. All for His glory.

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A Connection

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Pete

There’s a connection, a vital connection. But for too many, that connection is never really made. For some, the Old Testament is considered irrelevant for faith today. For others, it’s seen, at best, as optional for the believer. But if God says that ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and profitable for growing up in the faith, shouldn’t we, at some point, become familiar with ALL SCRIPTURE?

To be sure, as babes in Christ we need to be started on the milk, and then the meat, of the New Testament. We need to lay the foundation of the love of God manifest in the Son of God. Of the Christ crucified for the sin of the world, of Him risen and ascended in triumphal victory, and of the power of the gospel to bring about a righteousness through faith. Of new life and new power. Of the abundance and sufficiency of grace to not only save but to sustain and to sanctify, as well. Of being called to a new walk as a new person enabled by the Holy Spirit. But at some point, if we want to get the full picture, we need to dive into the Old Testament.

The fullness of God, all His divine attributes, is made known as He reveals Himself to His chosen people. The sovereignty of God among all nations is clearly displayed as history is recorded from a heaven-sent point of view. And not only is there much to learn from the past, but much is said of the future. And in that, for those familiar with both the Old and the New, there is a connection, a vital connection.

Case in point, something I read in Isaiah and something I read in Hebrews.

In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.”

(Isaiah 19:24 ESV)

If there was any less likely coalition to be imagined, I’m not sure what it might. A three-strand cord comprised of Israel, Egypt, and Assyria is kind of like the U.S., Russia, and North Korea all embracing. Their borders thrown wide open. Their ideology aligned. Their worship unified. Hard to imagine.

But, so says the LORD through Isaiah, a day is coming when Egypt and Assyria will worship with Israel. Egypt, perpetually known as the people of Israel’s bondage, their captors. Assyria, recorded in the annals of history as those who destroyed the 10 northern tribes of Jacob’s legacy, Israel’s conquerors. But one day, these captors and these conqueror will become Israel’s companions.

And what really grabbed my attention, is that these former enemies of God’s chosen nation will one day not only be reconciled to God but will also be renamed by God. Egypt will be “My people.” Assyria will be known as “the work of My hands.” And they will be counted together with Israel as “My inheritance.”

And the question becomes how? On what basis could those who once opposed God now be received by Him? And then, through what means? What dynamic could possibly be powerful enough to turn enemies of God and His people into co-worshipers of God with His people?

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. . . . So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him who said to Him, “You are My Son, today I have begotten you” . . . Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

(Hebrews 5:1, 5, 8-9 ESV)

Christ the Son was made a high priest by God the Father to act on behalf of men, ALL MEN from all nations. He offered Himself, once for all, as the sacrifice for sin–not just for the sin of Israel, but for Egypt and Assyria also, and for all those who will receive His finished work on their behalf through the obedience of faith. And thus He became the source of eternal salvation to ALL who would believe.

He makes way for the enemies of God to be reconciled. For the least likely to worship to become worshipers. And in that, not only are they reconciled to God, but they are reconciled to one another such that, people from all nations can come together to bless the LORD. And they will be called, “My people . . . the work of My hands . . . My inheritance.”

That’s the connection between an ancient prophecy which seems so unlikely, and a current reality which is so incredible. A vital connection.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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You Coming?

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Pete

Chewing on Hebrews 4 this morning. A rest promised. God’s rest. The kind of rest God modeled at creation. A Sabbath rest. The “work is finished” type of rest.

But one that we need to strive to enter. That’s a little counterintuitive . . . exert yourself to enter into rest? But the rest being spoken of here is not an idleness. It’s not a kicking back and putting up of your feet. Instead, it has the idea of a calming of the winds. I picture the “striving” akin to steering a ship from the waves of open water into the flat waters of a protected bay.

And at the heart of this calm is resting from a sense that we need to keep doing in order for God to keep loving. Apparently easier said than done. Perhaps because of pride, in that the old man wants to boast of his efforts and secretly feel that God owes him a debt because of his self-righteousness. Or maybe it’s because of enemy-induced paranoia and uncertainty. That somehow my eternal destiny remains dependent on my current performance.

But the fact of the matter remains, as pertains to the things of eternity, “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (4:9b).

The price has been paid. Our sin atoned for, once and for all. Divine righteousness credited to the account of all who believe. Holy, declared as our standing before Him. And the curtain which once blocked the way into the presence of God’s glory has been torn in two, from top to bottom, and access freely made available. All because the work is finished.

And so know, dear saint, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

But a rest that is available is no rest at all if it is not entered into. So, you coming?

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

I’m reminded this morning that Jesus was not just our once-for-all sacrifice for sin, but is also our now-and-forever great high priest (4:14-15). He not only has made open the way into the holy of holies, He ever lives to lead us, by His Spirit, into the holy of holies–escorting us, as it where, into the calm of God’s presence. He knows the barriers we face to truly entering into such a Sabbath rest because He is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses”, having “been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Thus, having such a great high priest, I’m exhorted this morning to boldly draw near.

Openly, just as you are, come, says the Spirit. Because the work is finished and there remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

Without hesitation, freely, enter into His presence. Knowing that the Savior actively intercedes on your behalf at the Father’s right hand (Heb. 7:25, 8:1-2).

That’s the work left to us. To come. To draw near with confidence. To enter with assurance and boldness.

Not to a seat of judgment but to a throne of grace. Not to be evaluated but to receive mercy and find grace in time of need.

The work is finished. Our “striving” is to enter into His rest. Our work is to keep directing the ship into the calm of His safe harbor.

You coming?

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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It’s a Mystery

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Pete

Perspective. In addition to exhorting the pursuit of wisdom, in addition to providing gems of instruction in skillful living, sprinkled throughout Proverbs are sound bites of perspective. Sound bites concerned less about what I need to do and more about what I need to know. Reminders of the way things really work. And this morning I’m reminded that although I know what I have planned for today, I don’t really know what’s going to happen today. In actuality, it’s a mystery.

A mans steps are from the LORD;
how then can man understand his way?

(Proverbs 20:24 ESV)

I’ve got my plans, but God has His purposes. I have my schedule, but it’s subject to His sovereignty. I know how I want things to work out, He has determined how they will work out.

Flashback five years ago. We drove down to Santa Cruz for a wedding. Instead God knew we were going to get on a rollercoaster. The plans had been months in the making, but the actual steps had been determined in eternity past. How then can man understand his way? When all is said and done, everyday is a mystery.

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself,
that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. 

(Jeremiah 20:23  ESV)

It’s kind of a humbling perspective for those who are planners. It can be somewhat unsettling for those who prefer predictability. And, it can be downright frightening for those who need to think they are in control. Yet it is the way of the world.

Thus, while we might plan, we should not presume. While we might take hold of the wheel, we should not forget who’s really driving. Instead, our steps are from the God who declares, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). How then can man understand his way? When all is said and done, as I head into this day, it’s a mystery.

But this perspective is not intended to unsettle. It’s purpose is not to create paranoia concerning what a day might bring. Instead such perspective, when recognized in the context of the love of God, is intended to remind us of the only thing we really know for sure about this day. Something I read in Isaiah this morning captured it:

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

(Isaiah 12:2 ESV)

He who saved me will sustain me. Though I know not for sure my steps this day, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2Tim. 1:12 NKJV). While I may not be able to, with full certainty, understand my way, I know without a shadow of a doubt who is my strength and my song. Who has promised never to leave me nor forsake me. Who has promised that His grace is sufficient for whatever this day holds.

Though I may not like realizing I’m not really in control, I will trust and not be afraid, for God is my salvation. And I know that nothing will separate me from Him who gave His Son to redeem me. Whatever the steps are He has ordained for me, “If God is for us, who [or what] can be against us” (Rom. 8:31)?

The way of man. Not in himself. It’s a mystery.

The love of God. Manifest on the cross. Testified to by His Spirit. That’s another mystery.

That I am His and He is mine? That’s a reality! I will trust and not be afraid.

By His grace, for His glory!

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