Muckers

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Pete

Paul met them in Corinth but they were originally from Rome. Paul had come to Corinth to preach the gospel, they had left Italy because of persecution. And while they were all descendants of one of the tribes of Israel, what really bound them together was their occupation, as in what they did for a living, and their occupation, as in the focus for what did with their lives. They were all tentmakers by trade and they were all pursuing the kingdom of God by grace.

I’m wrapping up 1Corinthians this morning and the names of these co-workers of Paul are put on my radar again.

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.

(1Corinthians 16:19 ESV)

This morning I’m noodling on Aquila and Prisca, or Priscilla. Lesser known saints. But enough known about them to be inspired and encouraged. And enough known about them to be reminded that so often God uses “the muckers.”

Muckers. The term, for me, refers to those players on a hockey team who aren’t the stars . . . whose talent isn’t anything particularly spectacular . . . but who can be counted on, shift in and shift out, to put in a solid effort and do the non-flashy stuff in order for a team to win. They are the grinders. They are the hard workers. They are the ones that will go into the corner after the puck, again and again, and dig it out.

Their names are on the backs of their jerseys, but no one is going to pay a lot of money for their hockey card years from now. They’re the everyday, average players. Nothing special, but so needed and relied upon. They’re the muckers. And, I think, so were Aquila and Priscilla.

Tentmakers, but not just tentmakers. Tentmakers who opened their home, and their shop to Paul when he came to Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). Tentmakers who up and left any roots they had started to put down in Corinth in order to accompany Paul on his missionary journey (Acts 18:18). Tentmakers who knew the way of God well enough that, when they encountered a young upstart preacher who knew his Bible but didn’t really grasp the gospel, “they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Act 18:24-26).

Tentmakers who Paul considered “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” and who “risked their necks” for Paul’s well-being . . . to whom not only Paul was indebted “but all the churches of the Gentiles” as well (Rom. 16:3-4). Tentmakers who regardless of where they were “pitching their tent” opened their home as a gathering place for Jesus’ church (1Cor. 16:19).

Aquila and Priscilla . . . a man and wife team who sought to earn an honest days living while seeking first the kingdom of God.

Muckers. Not widely known on the earth, but highly regarded in heaven. They don’t have the place in the history of the church that Paul or the other apostles have, but their names are written in the book of life and their reward awaits them at the Bema seat of Christ (1Cor. 3:12-14).

Muckers. Not anything flashy but so inspiringly faithful. Not in it for the glory of self, but constrained by the goodness and grace of God to serve wherever and however God would have them. Not pulpit people, but people of the Word and the way.

Thank God for the muckers.

While many of us may never know the calling to public ministry, while for most of us the measure of grace given us in our gifting will never be considered extraordinary by man’s standards, might we be faithful to the call to be grinders for the kingdom . . . to be willing to earnestly venture into the non-glamorous work of the kingdom, even if others never notice . . . to run the race set before us steadfastly and with joy. Knowing that God delights in the muckers.

Because of grace. Always for His glory.

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Worthy

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Pete

They probably wouldn’t have seen one another’s profile on eHarmony.com. She was a young widow from the country of Moab. He was a bachelor of the clan of Elimelech of the tribe of Judah. She hadn’t much more than the clothes on her back. He was a man of great prominence and wealth. He owned fields. She worked in them. He was able to redeem. She was in need of redemption. But, based on my reading this morning in Ruth, there is one attribute that was a direct match for this least-likely-to-be-compatible couple. They were both worthy.

Now Naomi had a relative of her husbands, a worthy man of the clan of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz.

(Ruth 2:1  ESV)

And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman.

(Ruth 3:11 ESV)

The connection jumped of the page as I was reading. Not as evident in other translations where Boaz is described as “a man of great standing” or “a man of great wealth”, and Boaz’s characterization of Ruth is translated as “virtuous” or a woman of “noble character.” But it is the same word in the original used to describe both of them and so the ESV translators used the same English word, “worthy.”

It is a word that means to have strength, to be mighty, to have efficiency, to possess wealth. A word also used of those of with notable valor or virtue. So whether it refers to a physical strength defined by position and profitability, or of a strength of character evident by humility, loyalty and service, both Boaz and Ruth had a reputation of being worthy.

And what is so remarkable about this match made in heaven is that they lived “in the days of the judges” (Ruth 1:1). Dark days when men and women did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). Chaotic days when, in general, there was little to distinguish the people of God from the pagans around them. Days of idol worship and depraved behavior. Days where seemingly not much could be described as “worthy.” But here are Boaz and Ruth, a worthy man and a worthy woman.

And there’s something about authentic character that brings a light to the darkness. Something about virtue that sparks a flame of hope in the midst of despair. Fact of the matter is, you quickly find yourself really liking Ruth and warming up pretty quickly to Boaz. You think on these two worthy people and it fans the flame of knowing afresh that God works even in the darkest times to fulfill His purposes.

And it causes me to think of another who is worthy. Not in kind with a Boaz or a Ruth but so much greater than either of them. And Paul’s exhortation comes to mind,

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

And so I do. Jesus is true and He is honorable. Jesus is just, He is pure and lovely and deserving of all good report. Jesus defines excellence and He is the embodiment of virtue. Jesus is worthy. Worthy of praise . . . “and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev.5:12).

Worthy.

Because of His great grace God raised up a man whom He deemed worthy to redeem a woman whom He deemed worthy. And in so doing, He painted a picture of a greater Redeemer who would one day pay a great price in order to purchase His Bride.  And He set the stage for a throne to be established.  A throne that one day will be occupied by this same Redeemer who is worthy beyond all description.

What joy, what blessing to think on these things.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Songless Sabbaths

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Pete

Psalm 92 is a song for the Sabbath. It’s to be sung when the choir is most aware of its rest. To be sung when the hustle and bustle of the week has subsided and one’s primary duty is to reflect not on their own work but on the works of God. When, as they cease their striving and consider afresh the deep thoughts of God toward His people, His people open their mouths with thanksgiving to their God. And as one who has entered into the greater Sabbath rest of Christ’s finished work (Heb. 4:9), it is a song for me.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy.

(Psalm 92:1-4 ESV)

It’s a good thing to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to His name. It’s good in that it is pleasant and enjoyable. It’s good in that it is appropriate and becoming of saints. It’s good in that it is a worthy and valuable investment of time. It’s good in that it is better than other stuff one could be doing.

Of all the downsides of our culture having minimized the value of, and need for, a day of rest, perhaps the greatest impact has been on the giving of thanks. That we have redefined “rest” as non-employment activities, that we have elevated recreation over rest, that our “days off” are as busy, or even busier, than our “work days” has, I fear, stolen time for much needed reflection and response. And so, for too many, too often, there are songless Sabbaths.

The songwriter anticipated declaring the steadfast love of God in the morning and then engaging in an encore at night, singing of His faithfulness (v. 2). There was no trying to find a spot on the Sabbath calendar for an hour or two of worship, worship WAS the calendar for the Sabbath. And not out of a sense of duty, but because “You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work” (v.3). And His work meant their rest. His tasks, their thanksgiving. His labor, their lute and lyre melody.

And, as I get somewhat nostalgic concerning simpler and less busy times and more (in number and in degree) consecrated first days of the week, I’m not really advocating a return to the time when you never took off your “Sunday best.” But I do think we, as the people of God, have robbed ourselves of a valuable life-rhythm if we lose that seven day cycle of rest, reflection, and response. And not to be too simplistic, but I wonder if songless Sabbaths aren’t directly related to simple and sickly saints.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.

(Psalm 92:12-13 ESV)

The righteous are meant to flourish. Those robed in the perfect nature of the Son of God through His finished work on the cross by the same power that raised Him from the dead are to blossom, to break out, and to fly! But too many remain withered, entrapped in sin, and never seem to get off the ground.

And again, not to be overly simplistic, I wonder if there isn’t some correlation to the low regard we have for the Sabbath principle. To the rejection of the value of putting worldly pursuits aside in order to reconnect with heaven. Or of the benefit of turning our thoughts from what needs to be done before Monday toward what already has been done for eternity. Or believing that placing the need for recreation below the need for reconnecting and responding on our priority lists will actually result in greater benefit and blessing.

Really, I’m not judging . . just reflecting on the possible impacts of songless Sabbaths.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High

Because of grace . . . for His glory . . .

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Do the Math!

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Pete

I read Psalm 90 and it caused me to do some math. The psalm is a prayer of Moses. An “oldie but goodie” that’s been preserved and included in this book of songs. It’s the only psalm that’s attributed to Moses. And the math I was compelled to noodle on? How many graves a day were showing up as the people wandered through the wilderness.

The prevailing theme of the prayer has to do with man returning to dust (v.3) . . . of them being swept away as with a flood (v.5) . . . like grass that fades and withers (v.6). But these generations of Jacob are not “passing on” after a life under the sunshine of God’s countenance upon them. Rather, they are brought to an end by His anger, they die dismayed by His wrath (v.7). Their iniquities laid out before His eyes, their “secret sins” splayed in the light of His presence (v.8). Moses is lamenting over the people who are dying daily around him because they rebelled against God and refused to trust Him (Numbers 14:1-32).

And so I’m doing the math. About 600,000 men over the age of twenty, not including Levites, are counted as they leave Egypt (Num. 2:32). If two-thirds of them have a spouse, then we’re talking close to a million people over the age of twenty. And, says the LORD, “your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun” (Num. 14:29-30).

So a million people die over the span of 40 years, or about 14,400 days. That’s an average of 70 fresh graves a day for 40 years. Every time they “break camp” and move on they leave a cemetery behind them. Every day as they travel in circles they leave mounds of dirt in their wake as evidence of the judgment their sin deserved.

Heavy sigh! Not exactly a “picker-upper.”

No wonder Moses pens,

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

(Psalm 90:12 ESV)

But what if instead of wandering in the desert until you die, you are marching to the promised land in anticipation of life to the full? What if instead of waking up every morning under the cloud of God’s anger and wrath you arise to a fresh outpouring of His mercy and grace? What if your sins have been atoned for, once and for all? What if, day in and day out, you are dressed in the clothes of righteousness of the One in whom the Father delights?

What if, rather than a dirge, your song is song of victory?

Wouldn’t you pray the same prayer?

Teach us to number our days! Not just because they are short, but because they are a countdown. Cause us to reflect upon the graves of those who have gone before. Not because they have succumbed to Your wrath, O God, but because they have entered into Your presence. Give us a heart of wisdom. Not just to navigate this desert, but to invest to the max in the inheritance that awaits.

We are not desert dwellers. We are not under the wrath our sin deserved. No, we are on our way home knowing there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Far from backs bowed under life’s heavy loads, our faces are turned heavenward in the expectation of glory and joy everlasting. We are being escorted to the Father by the Son through the Spirit.

So Lord, help us to do the math. Teach us to number our days.

Because of grace. For Your glory.

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Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Pete

I’m reading 1Corinthians 12 and realize it’s an object lesson. Paul is taking something that everyone is familiar with and trying to make a point about something they still have much to learn about.

At issue is their ignorance around the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts. That there are a variety of gifts but only a single Source, the Spirit of God (12:4). That there are various manifestations of the Spirit’s enabling but that all are to be for the common good (12:7). That while these gifts are attached to individuals they are apportioned and empowered by “one and the same Spirit” (12:11).

And so, to convey this idea of many different parts but one divine purpose, Paul holds up the human body as an example. Look in the mirror, he says, and know that the church is like you . . . fearfully and wonderfully made.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. . . . Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

(1Corinthians 12:12-14, 27 ESV)

I’m reading through the detail Paul provides of his object lesson and for a moment I get lost in the object he is describing and lose sight momentarily of the point he is trying to make. Paul talks about the body. Many members. Each with a role to play. Each different, yet a vital part of the whole. Its beauty found in its diversity, without which it becomes grotesque–what would a body look like if all its members were an eye? Its purpose realized not as each part does the same thing, but as each part does that which God has ordained. Parts that seem weaker but are actually indispensable. Parts thought of as less honorable are held in high honor as they fulfill their role in the body. Parts, like the intestine, that you really wouldn’t show off, as you would your beautiful hair, but without which you’d die.

I’m reading Paul’s description of the human body and my mind flashes to Psalm 139 . . .

For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mothers womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

(Psalm 139:13-14 ESV)

And it hits me, when was the last time I looked upon the spiritual body of Christ with the same awe and wonder I experience when I pause and reflect on the human body of men. Sure, the church isn’t perfect . . . but, hey Pete, have a look in the mirror . . . there’s a bit of work to be done there too.

But the church, like our bodies, is God’s creation. As we consider the meticulous and miraculous way our bodies have been put together, we should also see the purposefulness and power with which Christ’s body is being formed. As we consider all that our bodily members do and how they work in concert, it should renew our appreciation of the diversity of enabling within an assembly of believers and compel to us to work together, in His power, to accomplish His purpose.

What if, when we walked into our various gatherings this Sunday, we paused, looked out at our brothers and sisters in Christ and were blown away by these Spirit empowered members of Christ? What if we took just a moment, considered the church, despite all her imperfections and opportunities, and whispered, “Fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Would it not remind us of His abundant grace? Would it not, in some measure, bring Him much deserved glory?

I’m thinkin . . .

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For the Common Good

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Pete

Yesterday morning, when I was reading in the latter part of 1Corinthians 11, the words that jumped off the page were “when you come together.” Not because I had some profound insight concerning them but because they are repeated again and again. Five times in eighteen verses Paul uses the phrase. If you learn anything from the passage it’s that “coming together” was just what a local body of believers did. If you said you were part of the church at Corinth then people knew that, whatever else you did as a body, you at the very least were coming together. However, Paul says of these believers, “When you come together it is not for the better but for the worse” (12:17). And he proceeds to instruct them on how to come together in a way that is honoring to the LORD and beneficial for the body.

This morning, reading the first part of 1Corinthians 12, I’m reminded of how the body can come together for the common good.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

(1Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV)

No one should be busier at a Sunday morning gathering of saints than the Holy Spirit. When we gather to exalt the Son to the glory of the Father it is the Spirit who should be, in a manner of speaking, breaking a sweat as He enables the deployment of all the spiritual gifts. And after we’re done meeting and head home to every day living, when the body serves the body outside the building, then too the Spirit should be active as He powers these “varieties of gift.” No Sabbath rest for the Spirit it seems to me. Instead, active empowerment of what Jesus has graced to every believer (Note: EVERY BELIEVER). And all for the common good.

How we deprive the body of common good when we don’t show up. How we stifle the family’s growth when we are not contributing. How we miss out on knowing an encounter of the divine kind when we are not in a place or position to be the conduit of the Spirit’s power through the gifting given us. How we fail to know the touch of God when we cancel on the opportunity for Spirit gifted brothers and sisters to minister to us.

Hard for these gifts of the Spirit, given for the common good, to have an effect for the common good if we don’t come together.

I wonder if it would be different if we really believed what we say we believe . . . that a divine gracing has been “given to each one of us according to the measure of Christs gift” (Eph. 4:7). And that “all these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills” (1Cor. 12:11). Beyond just the responsibility of the stewardship implied from having received a gift from Christ, what of the anticipation of seeing that gift energized by the Holy Spirit and the satisfaction of knowing God Himself has determined it for the common good.

I’m thinking the people of God need to be coming together more. I’m thinking that, as individuals, we miss out when we remove the opportunity for our Spirit powered gifts to flow through us and to others. I’m thinking the Bride of Christ misses out when members of the bridal party have gone AWOL and are MWA (missing without action).

For the common good. It’s our common calling. Enabled by anything but a common dynamic.

All because of grace. All for His glory.

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A Heavenly Birth Certificate

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Pete

It’s kind of a cryptic song. For me it’s a little hard to completely piece together. But I do know it’s a song about Zion. The city on the holy mount founded by God Himself to be the place where His glory is known and where the throne of His rule is established. And what is obvious is that the LORD loves the place . . . “more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.” What’s more, through His prophets glorious things have been spoken about the city of God and about its future role upon the earth.

But what grabs me this morning in this song about this city, though I know I’m not fully picking up everything that is being laid down, is the emphasis placed on keeping birth certificates.

And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High Himself will establish her. The LORD records as He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”   Selah

(Psalm 87:5-6 ESV)

The LORD Himself will keep a special record of those who are born in Zion. The Most High Himself who establishes the city will take note of those who found life in the city. And while I’ve got a lot more studying to do on Psalm 87 before I can really speak with conviction, it seems the birth being referred to here isn’t just an initial physical birth. It appears that peoples from other nations will also be born there. Those who know the LORD from Rahab (Egypt) and Babylon, from Philistia, Tyre, and Cush,–of them it will be said, “This one was born there” (v.4). There is a sense, it seems, in which it will be a spiritual birthplace for many among the nations. And of those, there will be kept in heaven records of this second birth.

When Messiah returns, when His throne is established on the earth, Zion will be the home of His glory, the seat of His power, and the place where people come and find a new birth (Isa. 2:2-3). And it will be recorded in heaven, “This one was born there!”

And as I think about that future day when Messiah is lifted up in glory and power, though my thoughts are clouded due to how little I understand of all that it will entail, I also reflect on a day past when on another hill the glory of the Messiah was manifest as He was lifted up in shame and apparent defeat. On that hill, far from inhabiting a throne, He was nailed to a cross. The power of the King of Heaven masked as He was mocked and derided as the wannabe king of the Jews. But to that hill, just as to Zion one day, many have come from the nations. And there “one was born.”

They have come believing that before Messiah comes as the conquering King of Heaven he first had to come as the sacrificial Lamb of God. That before He could own a people as His subjects, He first must make eternal atonement for their sins. Before He could stand upon Zion’s hill, He needed to die for His creation’s rebellion, be buried, and then rise on the third day according to the Scriptures. And for those who come to that holy hill in faith, it is recorded in heaven, “This one was born there. This one was born again there!” For all those who own Jesus as Savior and Lord, there will be, in a sense, a heavenly birth certificate.

But Gods firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His.”

(2Timothy 2:19a ESV)

God loves the hills He establishes. He loves the hill of Calvary, though upon it He endured the pain of inflicting His Son for our iniquity. And He loves Mount Zion, for there He will see His Son reign in all His majesty and power. And God knows those who find new life at those hills. Their rebirth is marked, a record is kept. Praise God for a heavenly birth certificate.

All because of His grace. All for His glory.

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Flee!

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Pete

Gideon is a kind of an enigma for me. Seems to have, for the most part, run the race well but then gets tripped up at the finish line. He has an encounter of the divine kind with the angel of the LORD and obediently risks his own life to tear down an altar of Baal owned by his father and worshiped by his town. Having proven faithful in this “small thing” God entrusts to him a “bigger thing.” Bigger, as in deliver your people from the Midianites. Bigger as in take an army out numbered 450-to-1 and see what the LORD can do with those who are faithful and available. And Gideon nails it!

Gideon takes his micro-army of 300 men and attacks the Midian camp at night and eventually routes the entire Midian fighting force of 135,000 solders. “Exhausted yet pursuing” (Judges 8:4), Gideon and his men relentlessly press the battle as the LORD fights for His people and delivers them from Midian oppression.

Good on Gideon! All praise be to God!

And it gets better. After the victory the men of Israel say to Gideon, “Rule over us . . . for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” Gideon refuses. He knows who did the saving and so responds, “I will not rule over you, . . . the LORD will rule over you.” Yeah! Good on Gideon again. He would not be king, there is but one King.

But then, the wheels come off (Judges 8:24-28). While refusing a throne for his part in the victory, he does ask for treasure. While refusing to be king, he’s willing to play with being priest. He is given 1,700 shekels in golden earrings and makes them into an ephod, the apron like vest that was to be worn by the sons of Aaron when they came before the LORD. Though the house of God was at Shiloh, Gideon set up the ephod in his own city.

And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.

(Judges 8:27 ESV)

Like father, like son. The pagan idol of Baal torn down, the religious idol of the ephod set up. And a man who had run so well gets tripped up at the finish line.

And so, having just read of Gideon, I was kind of primed for my reading in 1Corinthians this morning . . .

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.      (1Corinthians 10:14 ESV)

The Corinthians wanted to “partake of the table of the LORD and the table of demons.” To have the bread and cup that reminded them of Christ’s sacrifice and also the meat that they enjoyed though it was sacrificed to pagan gods. One hand raised to the King of kings and the other reaching out to the things of this world. And Paul says, “Flee!”

Take flight, protect your heart from divided allegiances! Shun the temptation to share the glory of God with another. Beware lest you provoke the Lord to jealousy (10:22).

Gideon serves as great example of bold faith in a great God. But he also serves as a dire warning for those who would divide that faith and place it in other gods of their choosing.

That God would show us our divided allegiances. That in His kindness He would lead us to repentance. That the all sufficient blood of Christ would cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And that we would have no king but Jesus.

By His grace. For His glory

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Highways of the Heart

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Pete

The songwriter regards the place as lovely. For him it is a destination of delight, a magnet for his heart’s affection. Just thinking of the place creates such a hunger and thirst within him that it almost saps his strength with longing. It is a place of singing and of great joy. It is a place of refuge and rejoicing. To be there but a day outshines a thousand anywhere else. It is the place where God’s glory dwells. The courts inhabited by the living God. The altars of the LORD of hosts. And blessed are those who have set towards that place highways in their heart.

Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

(Psalm 84:5-7 ESV)

Even a casual reading of Psalm 84 exudes the passion the psalmist has for the presence of God. Where God is, the songwriter wants to be. Who God is, the songwriter desires to know. For what God has done, the songwriter seeks to declare by breaking forth in song at the top of his lungs.

And the songwriter knows that to get to where he so longs to be, it’s going to be a journey. And so, he writes, blessed are those in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

Blessed are those whose internal GPS has been programmed for the dwelling place of the LORD of hosts! Blessed are those whose inner being is locked and loaded on the courts of the Most High God.

And there is no delusion that the road traveled, in order to be where the glory dwells, will be an easy road. In fact, the pilgrim to Zion should expect to go through the Valley of Baca. Baca is a Hebrew word for “weeping.” Those who set their hearts toward knowing God’s glory will encounter the Valley of Tears on their way. Times will be tough. Seasons will seem dark. Weeping may last for a night. But joy comes in the morning! (Ps. 30:5)

Not only do they survive the Baca valleys, there is a sense in which they thrive. Rather than Baca sucking the energy out of them, “they make it a place of springs.” The valley doesn’t define them but they bring life to the valley. In the land of tears the grace of God brings life-giving, life-sustaining rain so that, far from just getting by day-by-day, they in fact grow in vigor as “they go from strength to strength” in anticipation of the surety that “each one appears before God in Zion.”

Though no one wants to travel Baca’s valley, it is not to be dreaded but anticipated. For there too God’s presence is known. There too God’s glory is manifest. There too can be known the joy of resting in His promises.

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!      (Psalm 84:12 ESV)

Might the highways of my heart always be set towards the courts of the LORD. If but only to be there as a doorkeeper, would I so long for doorkeeping that everything else falls in line behind the desire. Even knowing that the Valley of Weeping is inevitable, might I be so sure of the promise of dwelling in His house that, even now, songs of praise cannot be restrained.

All because of grace. All by His grace.

All in anticipation of the glory. All for His glory.

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The Triumph of Faith

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Pete

At first glance it seems he failed to fully step up. First impression is that he was willing to play second fiddle when, in fact, he could have conducted the entire symphony. And, to a degree, that’s true. Barak from Kadesh-naphtali had been commissioned by Deborah, judge of Israel, to deliver Israel from Canaanite oppression. What’s more, Barak the son of Abinoam had been called by Deborah, prophetess of God, to lead an army into battle. But Barak with feet of clay said, “Only if you go with me.”

[Deborah] sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabins army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand’?” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”

(Judges 4:6-8 ESV)

But here’s the bottom line. Barak did lead 10,000 men into battle in the name of the LORD God of Israel.

Sure, he needed a bit of encouragement at his side. True enough that he passed on the glory that could have been his from taking out the commander of the enemy’s army (4:9). But once Deborah said she was all in, he was all in. And as I noodle on that this morning, seems to me that’s the triumph of faith.

It doesn’t lie in the man, but in the God the man is willing to follow, even if reluctantly at first. Victory not sourced in natural bravado, but in supernatural belief.

Though Barak wavered at first, when all was said and done he wholeheartedly led an army of foot soldiers against the commander of a formidable force of 900 chariots of iron that had cruelly subdued an entire nation for 20 years (4:3). Not because he had a superior strategy that would offset the imbalance, but because he heeded the word of a sovereign God who said, “I will give him into your hand.” That’s the triumph of faith.

Barak of Kadesh in Naphtali would lead an army of 10,000 into battle, but it would be the God heaven who would cause the rains to fall (5:4), and the chariots to be mired down. Though Barak would be at the front of the pack as they chased down the fleeing Canaanites, it would be the God Most High who would cause the Kishon river to rise and sweep away the fleeing enemy (5:20-21).

The triumph of faith is not found in the man but in the man’s obedience. The triumph of faith is not about how quick the man is to believe, but in who the man is willing to believe in. It might not come with the most glory, but it always results in the glory that is due. It might come at potential great cost, but it eventually results in great reward.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. . . . of whom the world was not worthy . . .

(Faith’s Hall of Fame – Hebrews 11:32-34, 38a ESV)

Oh to know the triumph the faith . . . even if it’s playing second fiddle.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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