Reach for the Fringe

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Pete

From other gospel accounts you know the woman was at the end of her rope. In Matthew it simply says she “had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years.” But Luke records that she had spent all her living on physicians and could not be healed by anyone (Lk. 8:43) And Mark captures the depths of her despair as he writes that she “had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse” (Mk. 5:26). Twelve years of suffering, twelve years of battling, twelve years and she was no better off but rather grew worse. And so she turns to Jesus.

But He’s not all that accessible. The crowds surround Him. Many important people are demanding His attention. Yet she has a plan. Given who the Master is . . . in light of all that she has heard of what He has done . . . she comes to the conclusion that all she needs to do is reach for the fringe.

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will be made well.”

(Matthew 9:20-21 ESV)

All she thought she needed was a bit of the hem. She’d knew that when it came to Jesus, that proximity to but the edge of His presence would be enough. And so this woman who was without health, and without wealth, and was less than even a face in the crowd, mustered up all the strength she had and pressed in to touch the fringe of His garment.

And I’m thinking that sometimes that’s all you feel you can do–reach for the fringe. Though invited to come boldly to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), you feel like all you can do is limp into His presence. You’re so dry, your words are but a whisper as you “with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Php. 4:6). But if this woman’s story is to be applied, she reminds us that even the fringe is more than enough.

Jesus turned, and seeing her He said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

(Matthew 9:22 ESV)

She reached for the fringe, He turned around and gave her His face. She was has content simply to brush His hem, He looked directly into her eyes. She was physically spent, He revived her soul. She only had a mustard seed of faith to plant, and He moved mountains and made her well.

All she needed to do was come to Him. In her current condition, in her frailty, in her desperation, all she needed to do was what she could do. And, in her case, it was to reach for the fringe.

Isn’t that what Jesus invites us to do when He says, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)? Whether He’s speaking to the guilt ridden sinner who can no longer bear the weight of their transgression, or extending anew the invitation to weary followers to find refuge in Him, He wants us to come, even if we feel like all we have left is the ability to reach for the fringe.

We seek but the hem, and we see His face. We desire just to touch His garment, and He shows us His love. We reach out believing His grace is sufficient, and we find rest for our souls. We want but to know a bit of His presence, and He shows us His glory.

This is amazing grace!

To Him be all praise!

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Who’s In the Boat?

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Pete

He rebuked them. Though they were following Him. Despite the fact that this storm was one for the record books, a great tempest, a water-topped earthquake. Seemingly not considering that while they bailed water, He appeared remarkably disengaged as He slept. Even though, as they justifiably feared for their lives, they turned to Him for their rescue. Ignoring for the moment that they were being swamped, straight up He called them on their “little faith.”

And He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

(Matthew 8:26a ESV)

It wasn’t that they over-assessed the gravity of their situation. But that they were gripped with fear because they had under-assessed who was in the boat with them.

Caught in a great tempest? Then bail with all your might–appropriate response. Overwhelmed by a raging storm? Cry out to Jesus–where else would you go but to the Lord. But be afraid? Be consumed with dread? Cower in fear? O you of little faith.

There’s no way around it. Diagnosis rendered, rebuked tendered. Faith wanting. Because you’ve forgotten who’s in the boat.

Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?”

(Matthew 8:26b-27 ESV)

Seeing the waves subside was but a secondary need for Jesus’ disciples. Their primary need was to see Jesus.

While they knew He was in the boat with them, they didn’t really know who was in the boat with them. Had they, though they would have still bailed, and though they would have still cried out, they would not have been overwhelmed with fear. For with them, in the boat and amidst the storm, was the Lord over the tempest.

In the boat with them was the Good Shepherd, the One who would lay down His life for sheep. The One who came to “give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). And though He seemed disinterested at the time of their perceived greatest need, He was not unaware of the trial, nor caught by surprise by the sudden upheaval, nor disengaged in their struggle. He was with them in the boat. He would speak when it was time to speak. Theirs was to trust and not be afraid.

I start my readings most mornings by praying, “Lord, open my eyes that I might see wondrous things in Your law” (Ps. 119:18) and “Lord, speak to me through Your word.” And honestly, I’m not really looking for a rebuke. Guessing that no one really likes to be called on behavior less than befitting.

But sometimes you need the sting of correction in order to focus again on the Savior. You need a word that turns your gaze away from the tempest and causes you to marvel afresh that your “traveling companion” is the sort of Man that even the winds and sea obey Him. You need the rebuke in order to be reminded who’s in the boat.

And then you marvel. The fear subsides as the awe sets in. And you worshipfully declare, “What sort of Man is this?”

Because of all-sufficient grace. Always for His everlasting glory.

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The Hand of the Lord

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Pete

Finishing up Acts 11 this morning as part of my reading plan. As is my habit, as I’m reading I’m coloring. It’s my way of slowing down and observing what’s in the text–underlining or shading parts of the text with different colored pencils. So with red I underline references to the proclaiming and the power of the gospel as I read of the scattered disciples “speaking the word”, and “preaching the Lord Jesus”, and of “a great number who believed and turned to the Lord.”

But I also noticed that between the preaching and the believing there’s an unseen dynamic at play.

But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

(Acts 11:20-21 ESV)

Between preaching the Lord and turning to the Lord there is “the hand of the Lord.”

And almost without thinking I reach for my “sky blue” pencil crayon (that’s Canadian for colored pencil) and underline “the hand of the Lord.” My observation? This is the active agency of the Holy Spirit at work. Though His name is not mentioned explicitly, you know the power to save is through Him.

And isn’t that often how the Holy Spirit operates? Incognito? Not drawing a lot of attention to Himself but to the member of the Trinity He has purposed to glorify, the Son? Not seeking to make a name for Himself but delighting to accomplish the Father’s will as He illuminates the Father’s word to men and women? Not concerned about making Himself known as the member of the Trinity who makes dead things alive, instead only concerned with providing the power?

Faithful preaching results in authentic conversion only as the Spirit makes alive souls to the truth of the gospel.

. . . He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior

(Titus 3:5-6 ESV)

If Jesus is the arm of God (Isa. 53:1), then the Spirit is the hand of the Lord. Through Him the fingertips of God touch this earth.

Through Him the Father raised the Son from the dead. By Him souls are not only saved, but men and women are transformed as the Spirit works to conform their nature to that of Jesus’ nature.

Almost imperceptibly, He reveals the deep things of God as He illuminates the Word of God. What’s more, He will bring to mind the truths of God when we need to draw on them.

The hand of the Lord is upon us as the Spirit dwells within us. The power of God is at work in us because the Spirit has sealed us.

Though He seeks no recognition, thanks be to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

By our Triune God’s grace. For our Triune God’s glory.

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Who’s Talkin’ To Who?

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Pete

I don’t to it every morning, but often, after reading the passages in my reading plan, and while I’m noodling on what I’ve read, I’ll go back through my online journal and see what thoughts have come to mind in past years. Sometimes it’s because I’m feeling full and I’m curious as to how that fullness overflowed in the past. Sometimes it’s because I’m feeling somewhat dry and I often find a thought from the past has a way of ministering to my soul. This morning, feeling a bit dry and so I’m “thumbing” through the archives. And this thought from back in 2008 has been good for me to chew on.

=====

So, kind of an interesting one-two punch from the Word this morning between Matthew 7 and Acts 10. A one-two punch is where the boxer sets up his opponent with the first punch and then delivers the second to the exposed area. The “set up” was a familiar reading in Matthew.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 7:7-8 ESV)

Pray. Ask, seek, knock. And you’ll receive, find, and have entrance. Just ask Him!

So, the set up is a reminder of how important prayer needs to be in my life and that I need to take time to talk to God.

Then to Acts 10. And what do I read of in the first few verses? Prayer.

Cornelius, a Centurion . . . aka a Roman . . . aka a Gentile, was a man who “prayed continually to God” (Acts 10:2). And then I read of Peter going up on a housetop to pray (Acts 10:9). And at first, my reaction is, “How cool. Acts 10 reinforces Matthew 7. Yeah, prayer is important.” But then I see something that makes it even cooler. Who’s talkin’ to who?

Cornelius is praying like he always does — asking, seeking, knocking — and then BAM!!! An angel appears to him in a vision. Peter thinks he’s about done talking with God — asking, seeking, knocking — ’cause he’s getting hungry and then BAM!!! He falls into a trance and heaven is opened up to him and he has a thrice repeated argument with the Lord of heaven.

Now, I don’t think Cornelius was on his knees saying, “May I talk with an angel, please.” And, I’m pretty sure Peter wasn’t knocking on the door to heaven asking for something that would turn his world upside down, as in”Gentiles are people too,” or, “God desires to save them just as He desires to save the children of Israel–so don’t call anything unclean.” So, again, I ask, who’s talkin’ to who?

And it makes me think that I should be prepared for the possibility of a similar dynamic to occur in the context of my prayer life. That is, don’t be surprised if, when you’re talking with God about your world, that He ends up talking to you about His.

Now, I’m not saying that we should expect visions frequently. I’m guessin’ those are pretty rare. And I’m not saying that every time we close our eyes we’ll “hear His voice.” But, I guess I am saying we at least should be listening for it. I think we should expect that sometimes we are going to come to God with our prayer list and He’s going to change the subject and talk to us about His plans for our lives or the lives of those around us. Kind of adds an exciting dimension to prayer, doesn’t it?

Father, I desire to know more the fullness of communion that prayer can bring. Help me in finding the time and focus to go to my “roof top” and ask and seek and knock in prayer. And, Lord, as I’m talking to You, help me to be attentive to Your voice and recognize when You’re really talking to me.

For my continued growth in Christ . . . and for Your glory . . . Amen.

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My Right Hand . . . His Right Hand

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Pete

We know the sixteenth psalm is a messianic psalm. Both Peter and Paul provide Spirit-led divine commentary on portions of the song indicating that, beyond whatever David had intended in writing it, God determined that it should speak of His Son (Acts 2:25, 2:29-31, 13:35-38). The question then becomes, is there any part of this inspired song that I can take for myself? Though it is about Jesus, the perfect man, is there something for me, the imperfect man, for which He is my perfect example, to apply to my walk today?

Not that I would seek to supplant the Lord Jesus as the primary focus of all Scripture and, specifically, the Yes and Amen of this passage. But, to be honest, these days especially I’m listening more than ever for something from God which was written in “former days” for our instruction, “that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). So while I know it’s about Him, I’m on the lookout for something to encourage me. And I think I found it as I’m led to consider my right hand and His right hand.

I have set the LORD always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

(Psalm 16:8 ESV)

You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(Psalm 16:11 ESV)

Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Because at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore, the path of life He has graciously made known to me will lead to fullness of joy.

As discussed last night in our men’s Bible study, mine is to set my mind on “the things of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:5). Mine is to not enter my day with eyes to the ground, but to look up, fixing my thoughts on things above, looking to the throne of heaven (Col. 3:20). “From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1b-2).

As, by faith, I set Him before me so that He is at my right hand, I will not be moved, overthrown, or dislodged. Afflicted? Maybe. But not crushed. “. . . perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (1Cor. 4:8-9).

Whether I look to the suffering Savior who is able to sympathize with my weakness because He “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15) . . . or look to the risen, exalted High Priest who is even now in the Father’s presence interceding for His own (Heb. 7:25) . . . or consider the soon to return King of Kings who will one day usher in a new day absent of sin and death’s destruction (Rev. 21:1-4) . . . or wait for the Good Shepherd who is even now preparing a place for His own that we might, one day, be where He is (John 14:1-3) . . . However I set Him before me, through His Spirit, I can know the LORD of heaven and earth at my right hand.  And in that, I will not be shaken.

And then, I need to ask my resident Illuminator to remind me of what is at His right hand. That He would set my eyes on the prize. That He would help me avert my gaze from the ground immediately in front of me and look down the path of life He has so wonderfully and graciously placed my feet upon. So that, in anticipating the joy of being in His presence on that day, I might know His presence even now and the joy that comes with it. That while the pleasures of that place are beyond imagination, even now I am in the palm of His hand and that, in and of itself, brings delights only experienced in the depths of my soul.

He at my right Hand. I at His.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Who Gets Invited to Dinner?

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Pete

The songwriter opens his lyric with a question. Actually, with two questions. I think I’ve said it here before, but it’s true that good questions can open the door to important insights. Good questions, pursued thoughtfully and truthfully, have a way of clarifying reality. And so, imagining David looking upon the ark as it resides in its home at Jerusalem, his song starts with these questions,

O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent?
Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

(Psalm 15:1 ESV)

God’s tent. The home of the ark. The place where the glory dwells. God’s house.

And where’s it located? Jerusalem, God’s holy hill.

So if that’s the place where God is to be found, if that’s the place where God is to be known, if that’s the place where God is to be communed with, then “who gets invited to dinner?” (MSG)

That’s the nature of the questions being asked. Who may “turn aside from the road” and lodge as a guest in the tent? And having been invited in for a meal, who then might hope to stay permanently, abiding, as a normative experience, where God is known?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.

(Psalm 15:2 ESV)

That’s the short answer. Blameless walk. Does what is right. Truth in his heart. Not about talk, not even just about walk, but about thought as well–that’s what’s considered before someone knows the divine welcome of abiding in the presence of God.

And as I read through the rest of the psalm, while I’m not surprised that a holy, holy, holy God can only permit at His table people who are holy, I also realize afresh the impossibility of anyone meeting and sustaining those entrance requirements in and of themselves.

While I might walk in integrity a lot of the time, I know when my heart has failed me. While I might try to do what’s right, even if I think it’s most of the time, I confess that too often I’m prone to compromise. And then, start rummaging around in my heart, and that kind of seals the deal. If left to my own righteousness, who gets invited to dinner? Not me.

But what if I bear the holiness of Another? What if I am counted blameless, declared righteous, and spiritually re-wired to desire and know truth in my inner being? What if, beyond my account being credited with the perfection of Another, I’m also equipped to walk in a manner worthy of a such a calling? What if I have been enabled to participate in the divine nature through an indwelling Helper who brings with Him heaven-sent power? And what if when I fail–and to be sure I fail–provision has been made for that too?  That if I confess my sin He is faithful and just to forgive my sin through the once for all shedding of blood on my behalf?

So what if I meet the qualifications, because of Another?  What if the song describes me because of the gospel?

Then, who gets to rest in the tent? And who gets to commune at His table on the holy hill? Who gets invited to dinner?

I do!

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

Let’s eat!

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When No One is Looking

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Pete

It was a one-on-one encounter of the divine kind. It happened at night. It happened when he was alone. And it happened when no one was looking.

I imagine there must have been chaos in the camp as Jacob prepared to meet Esau (Genesis 32:13-21). Esau, the brother whose birthright Jacob had extorted. Esau, the brother whose blessing Jacob had stolen. The brother who, last time Jacob saw him, was so mad he was ready to kill Jacob. This Esau, along with 400 of his closest fighting friends, was on his way to welcome Jacob home . . . or not. Jacob didn’t know what lay ahead. All he knew was that God had said, “Go home,” and that now he had a big crowd coming for dinner and that preparation had to be made. And I imagine it was pandemonium as Jacob tried to get everything ready.

Jacob the schemer is packaging up a multi-tiered offering for his brother. He’s culling out herds of livestock as a peace offering. He’s conscripting his most loyal, trustworthy and brave servants to drive the herds directly towards Esau & Co. He’s arranging and planning a multi-phased parade–wave after wave of gifts to appease the unknown disposition of an unknown brother.

Can anyone say, “Stressful!”

That’s what’s happening in the camp. That’s the activity that has everybody’s attention. But then something happens to Jacob when no one is looking.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

(Genesis 32:24 ESV)

Jacob wrestled with God when no one was looking. And Jacob prevailed (v.28) when no one was looking.

God who knew what was going to happen the next day came down the night before and laid hold of Jacob. A hip was put out joint . . . a blessing was earnestly sought . . . a new name was given. And all this at night. All in the secret. All when no one was looking.

That’s often kind of how my God operates. I was reminded of that in another reading this morning . . .

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  ~ Jesus

(Matthew 6:6 ESV)

The Father “who is in secret” rewards those who give to the needy (6:3-4) . . . when no one is looking. The One “who sees in secret” will acknowledge those who sincerely seek Him in fasting (6:16-17) . . . when no one is looking. And your Father, who “knows what you need before you ask Him” (6:8), hears the cries of His people . . . when no one is looking.

He is the God who is often encountered in hidden places. The God who, most times, determines to work in the background . . . chooses to operate under cover . . . opts to interact with His own inwardly. Not that anything is hidden from Him, but that in the secret, when we’re alone, He might make Himself known to us . . . and sometimes even engage us in a bit of a wrestling match.

It’s in the secret, away from the chaos of dealing with whatever we fear may come our way, that we are reminded that our God is present.

Now to Him who knows all things and see all things, to the Father who is in the secret place, to our God who often visits when no one is looking . . .

. . . to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 1:25 ESV)

 

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From Sighing to Singing

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Pete

Re-running some thoughts from 2012 . . .

You don’t have to read very far into Psalm 13 before you not only sense the desperation, but also find some connection in which you relate to the despair. Anyone who’s ever gone through an extended time of testing or trial finds themselves, I think, saying, “Been there.”

Four times the psalmist cries out to heaven, “How long?” You’ve forgotten me, Lord . . . how long? You’re hiding Your face from me . . . how long? I’m consumed by sorrow . . . how long? My enemy is winning . . . how long, O Lord, how long!?! Deep sigh! But you keep reading and the sighing turns to singing.

Not exactly sure what’s happening in David’s life as he writes this. Perhaps it’s that season when he’s on the run from King Saul. Crazy King Saul, set on destroying David, relentlessly pursues him. Not only does David not really have the resources to repel the king and his army, but David is also constrained by his loyalty to “God’s anointed” and to the anointed’s God. Even on those occasions when David had opportunity to do Saul in, he refuses to harm the one set on the throne by God. And so, it goes on and on and on . . . day in, day out . . . same trial, new twist and turn . . . a roller-coaster ride . . . a ringer he’s being run through. How long, O Lord, how long?

“Consider me,” David cries, “Answer me . . . Light up my eyes . . . or I’m done . . . and my enemies win.” David just needs to know that God’s got him on heaven’s radar. He wants some indicator that God’s engaged in his situation . . . he needs something to restore his physical strength, something to restore his inner strength.

And so he asks. He lifts his eyes towards God’s throne . . . He looks above while everything is coming apart below . . . and he simply asks. He engages the God of the universe in his struggle on earth. And, in that simple encounter, a mind-blowing dynamic kicks in . . . the sighing turns to singing.

“But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

(Psalm 13:5-6 ESV)

Though it might be yet a little while before God deals with the Saul thing, in that moment of supplication, the Spirit of God intercedes with the spirit of David and David’s “how long” morphs into “how amazing!” The Spirit shores up David’s soul as He assures him afresh that the faithfulness of God’s steadfast love, which David has known in the past, is the same steadfast love David can trust in for the future. The Comforter reminds David that the salvation David has already known is just a deposit on the salvation that God says is yet to come. That the work begun will be completed. That the call placed on his life, will be fulfilled.

And so amidst his “how long” despair, a pilot light is lit in David’s heart. In the presence of God, his heart starts to rejoice at every recollection of the faithfulness of God known in the past. The Spirit floods David’s mind with every blessing he has received and David is reminded that a bountiful past is a deposit on a beyond imagination future. And the pilot light of remembrance and encouragement becomes a flame of praise and worship. And David finds himself singing to the Lord.

Been there. Others have too. Sighing that turns to singing.

Not because of anything that has immediately changed as a result of prayer’s pleas, but because in that moment of quiet despair . . . in the time of being still, and knowing that He is God . . . just in the privilege of being able to “dump” before God in the holy of holies and ask repeatedly “how long” and plead with Him for some help . . . just in that encounter, God so often responds with an inner calm.

And the still, small voice of the Spirit applies the balm of remembrance and of reassurance. And the promise that God is present, and that God knows, speaks into the soul that the “how long” will not be forever. And in that encounter there is a joy . . . a rejoicing . . . and, yes, sometimes there’s even singing.

I will sing to the LORD!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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A Bit Standoffish

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Pete

Perhaps part of the wide-felt connection to the Psalms is that sometimes the songwriter often says what we are afraid of saying. That his divinely inspired lyrics often put into words what we find ourselves thinking but not comfortable openly articulating. Such is the case, for me at least, as I read the tenth Psalm this morning.

Why, O LORD, do You stand afar off?
    Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?

(Psalm 10:1 ESV)

Times of trouble. Experiences of distress. Occasions of feeling in dire straits. Why, O LORD, pens the songwriter, why do You seem to conceal Yourself in those times? Why, when I’m thinking I need You the most, do You seem so distant? Where are You, when I need You?!?

And the psalmist looks beyond whatever his particular “time of trouble” and observes that, in general, God’s absence is also perceived when one focuses on the extent of prevailing wickedness that goes seemingly unchecked in the world.

Arrogant people hotly pursuing the poor (v.2). Greedy people wickedly boasting of their gain as they curse and renounce God (v.3). Defiant before heaven, they prey on the helpless of the earth as they mock the Almighty in their heart saying, “God has forgotten, He has hidden His face, He will never see it” (vv. 6-11). In their pride, so many have no desire to even entertain God’s existence, “all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God'” (v. 4).

Where are you LORD? Why do you veil Your eyes at what’s going on in this world? What’s more, where are You when I need You?

The questions resonate. They have a familiar ring to them. I’m pickin’ up what the psalmist is laying down!

But the other connection with the psalms is that they also articulate what we know to be true despite what we may feel.

But You do see, for You note mischief and vexation, that You may take it into Your hands; to You the helpless commits himself; You have been the helper of the fatherless. . . . The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from His land. O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear . . .

(Psalm 10:14, 16-17 ESV)

Though God may seem to have turned a blind eye, He hasn’t. He does see.

Though it may feel like God is content to remain behind a curtain in the wings, His ear is inclined to the drama that plays out on life’s stage. He hears the cry. He is intimately familiar with the circumstance. And He is actively engaged, though often in ways we are unaware of.

He is the King and one day He will reign on earth and bring justice to the fatherless and oppressed “so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more” (v. 18).

Until then, He patiently and graciously woos and waits for men and women, dead in their trespass and sin, to respond to the good news that Jesus is ready, willing, and able to save. And for those who have trusted in Him, He establishes His rule and reign in their hearts. Though  He may seem far off, He reminds us of His abiding presence and strengthens the heart of the afflicted.

While at times He may seem to be a bit standoffish . . . though it may feel like He’s playing hide-and-seek with us . . . His Spirit testifies with our Spirit, sometimes through songs like this song, that we have a faithful High Priest who hears our cry and leads us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16).

To Him be all blessing and honor and glory forever and ever!

Amen?

 

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Heart Speak

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Pete

To our way of thinking, Abraham’s approach to finding a wife for his son was, to say the least, unconventional. Isaac is ready to get hitched. But not to anyone on “this side of the Jordan.” Abraham has discerned the perils of Isaac taking a wife “from the daughters of the Canaanites” and has determined that Isaac’s bride needs to be from his own family line.

But he’s also resolved that his son is not to leave the land God has promised them. And so, Abraham sends a trusted servant back to Abraham’s homeland to find a young maiden from Abraham’s family line and convince her, and her family, that she should go with some random stranger to a foreign land to marry a man they’ve never met. Not quite ChristianMingle.com, but it’s a plan.

And what’s grabbed me in reading this account in Genesis 24 is the absence of the supernatural–at least overtly. Though its evident that God’s hands are all over this, and though Abraham tells his servant that the God who promised Abraham to give this land to his offspring will “send His angel before you”, there’s no angel.

Unlike other encounters of the divine kind in Genesis, there’s no apparent visitation from heaven-dwellers. No divine manifestation taking counsel with the servant on a game plan. No taking hold of the servants hand by one of God’s heavenly servants and leading him to just the right place at just the right time. Rather, there’s just a no-name servant trekking to a foreign land to find a women whose identity is unknown so that he can ask her to go back with him to marry a man she’s never seen or met. There’s no angel.

But there’s heart speak.

Abraham’s servant arrives at his destination and prays,

And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham.”

(Genesis 24:12 ESV)

And the servant lays out before the Lord his plan for identifying Isaac’s bride-to-be. And the Genesis account then states,

Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abrahams brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder.

(Genesis 24:15 ESV)

And later in the account, when the servant is telling his story to Rebekah’s family, the servant puts it this way,

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.'”

(Genesis 24:45 ESV)

Speaking in my heart. That’s it. That’s the extent of the supernatural in this account.

Though God is moving mightily . . . imparting divine wisdom to Abraham . . . moving Abraham’s servant to faithful obedience . . . prompting the girl at the well to respond to the servant’s request for water by offering to water his camels as well . . . leading Laban to believe the servant’s story and release his sister to him . . . assuring Rebekah in her heart that not only is it ok to leave her family for some unknown suitor, but that it’s God’s will . . . Though God is moving mightily, no angels, just heart speak.

Talk about the power of prayer. Talk about how speaking in the heart ties a person to the purposes and dynamics of heaven. Talk about God’s attentiveness to what we say to Him in the inner man that prompts Him to act in the outside world even before we’re finished speaking . . . even before we know ourselves what we should ask.

Talk about the supernatural impact of heart speak.

All by God’s grace. All for God’s glory.

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