Where Are You?

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Pete

It’s not the first use of the word “but” in the Bible. Nor is it the first time I’ve encountered the word combo “but God.” But it is the first occurrence of “but God” in the sense of God making a grace decision. The first occurrence of man’s rebellious action warranting one kind of just response from a holy God, “but God” extending another type of response. A response of grace. The grace of God asks, “Where are you?”

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”   (Genesis 3:8-9 ESV)

God had said, “Eat of it and you shall surely die.” The serpent countered with a seed of doubt, “Did God actually say?” The woman coveted the fruit that was “a delight to the eye” and wanted to believe the lie that she could “be like God.” The man did too. And so they ate, and so they were ashamed. And so they sought to hide from the presence of God.

The creation “experiment” seemed to have gone so, so wrong. Garden walks in the cool of the day had been short-lived and now there existed a chasm of sin between holy God and rebellious man. But God called to the man, “Where are you?”

As I think about it, there are other responses that might have been more fitting. How about start over? Like an etch-a-sketch give the heavens and earth a big shake, erase it all and begin again. This time maybe not so quick with the tree in the garden thing . . . or the temptation thing . . . or the free will thing. Or there could have been the “you made your bed now sleep in it” approach. They had rejected God’s word, they had settled for flimsy fig-leaf loin clothes, they had thought that hiding from God was sustainable.  Fine, let them hide. They had turned their backs on Him, there was no obligation that He should give them His face.

But God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Isn’t that amazing grace? Isn’t that wondrous love?

The spurned God of heaven seeks out sin-stained mortals of earth because they are those who God created to know His love. And love them He would. He would call their names. He would reveal His will and His ways. He would provide a covering for their nakedness. And He would so love them that He would provide the costly payment needed to restore the communion that had been shattered in the garden.

Where are you? The holy God, enthroned in majesty and dwelling in unapproachable light, stoops to enter sinful man’s domain when He could have instead destroyed it with righteous judgment. The all-knowing God who has shaped and formed all things in creation, asks a question when He could have instead justly washed His hands of those who had chosen the way that seems right to a man.

Our God seeks the lost. He calls out to the confused. And He loves those He created to know His love . . . while they were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8).

Hear the voice of God.  “Where are you?”

That truly is amazing grace! That of a certainty is wondrous love!

To Him be all glory and praise.

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An Either / Or Thing

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Pete

I don’t recall hearing them as often. Those pithy sayings from the pulpit. Those succinct and powerful statements of divine truth that penetrate and literally stick with you throughout a lifetime. Perhaps it’s because I don’t get around as much as I used to. It’s been years since I’ve been in the spring conference scene or the summer camp scene. Might be that, since I’m a little older in the faith, the super impressionable clay of those early days is a little more set and fewer of those forceful expressions are having a lasting impact. Or, maybe it’s because, being older, I’m not a sharp as I once was in the cataloging and retrieving of such memorable quotes.

But though I may not encounter them as much now for whatever reason, one of those powerful targeted observations, that I probably first heard decades ago, came to mind this morning:

“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”

The quote is attributed to D.L. Moody. But apparently John Bunyan, who lived centuries before Moody, is reported to have written something similar in the cover of his bible: “Either this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.” Either way, I didn’t hear it from those stalwarts of the faith. Rather, somewhere along the way it came from the lips of some faithful preacher and the Spirit firmly implanted it in my heart and mind. And it was brought to mind this morning as I read the first Psalm.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.    (Psalm 1:1-2  ESV)

Who wouldn’t want to head into the new year with the prospect of blessing in their lives. Apparently the original is a “plural noun” . . . the benefits promised here are manifold. And the promise of blessing pivots upon where we walk, upon what we stand, and upon where we sit.

True happiness will not be found in the advice and wisdom of those hostile towards God. It cannot come from joining the ranks of those who determine to pursue that which is contrary to holiness. Blessing, that is real blessing, will evade those who align themselves with the mocking of “sophisticated, learned men” who “who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).

To walk in their counsel, to prefer to hang with them in their surroundings, to join with them in their mocking of that which is not seen, is not the means to the gracious blessing God desires for His people.

But . . . and here’s the “either or” of David’s assertion, the pivot point of the songwriter’s assertion . . . But, delight in the law of the Lord and you will know blessing.  Desire it . . . long for it . . . find good pleasure in it . . . and the fountain of heaven’s favor is opened up. Then meditate on the Word of God . . . chew on it . . . think about it . . . noodle on it . . . let it ignite your imagination . . . and a joy and contentment that transcends anything this world has to offer will be realized.

Drinking deep from God’s revelation of Himself will so satisfy our thirst that we won’t want to look anywhere else. Desiring and ingesting the word will keep us from listening to the wrong people, giving allegiance to the wrong crowds, or joining in with the wrong intellects.

But, to be sure, listen to the ungodly voice of this world and it will keep you from the life-giving Voice of heaven.

It’s kind of an either / or thing. Either living in the way of sinners, or delighting in the law of the Lord. Either meditating on God’s word or embracing the world’s ways.

Oh that 2016 would bring renewed vigor for the Word of God. Not that we might simply gain increased knowledge. Instead, that we might know more of the blessing promised those who heed His counsel . . . and stand in His way . . . and seat themselves at His table. That the word of God would abide in us so that we might continually abide in Him.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Water from the Throne

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Pete

Wrapped up my reading plan for the year. And as I close the year, on the eve of the celebration of the birth of the Christ, I’m thinking about a river. The river of the water of life (Rev. 22:1-2). Bright as crystal. Flowing freely and abundantly. Running unrestricted through the middle of the street of the New Jerusalem. A river that brings life and brings healing.

A river flowed through Eden when the earth was created (Gen. 2:10). And a river will flow through the city of God when all things are re-created.

And it is a river available to all who need a drink of water.

And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.   (Revelation 22:17 ESV)

Water . . . offered to all who are thirsty . . . offered without cost. And all that’s required is that we come.

Come and receive water that can make people dead in trespass and sin alive to the things of righteousness and holiness. Come and receive water that can take a dry and barren existence and turn it into a purposeful and fruitful life. Come and receive water sufficient to bring strength through the weariness brought on by testing and trial. It is life giving water. It is available water. And it is water without cost.

But what’s particularly grabbed my attention this morning is the source of this life-giving flow. It springs not from a deep underground well. Nor is it the accumulative offering of snow packed mountain tops. But it is sourced “from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (22:1).

This water flows from the seat of God’s sovereign determination over all things. And this water is able to meet every need because of the Lamb.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

~ John the Baptist (John 1:29 ESV)

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”  

~ All of Heaven (Revelation 5:12 ESV)

The Lamb has come. He is the one proclaimed by angels to shepherds in the field. He is Immanuel, God with us. The One born to die, that He might be the Savior for all who believe.

And by His death on a cross He removed once for all the dam of sin and transgression so that nothing might stem the flow of heaven’s river. As such, He is the fountain of life giving water for all who are thirsty, for all who will come.

And this Lamb is coming again. And the life giving flow we receive through faith today we will one day, perhaps one day soon, realize face to face.

Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Until then, the river flows . . . and the water is abundant . . . and His grace is sufficient to satisfy every thirst.

To Him be all glory!

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Tear Removal

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Pete

I think I’ve observed this before . . . maybe even have written about it before . . . but this morning, as I’m reading Revelation 21 it’s tears that catch my eye.

There are so many pictures painted in this portion of Scripture as the new heaven and new earth are revealed to John. A holy city, representing the people of God, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (21:2) is the focus of the vision. The Bride’s radiance, like that of “a most rare jewel” is sourced in the glory of God (21:11). No need for a sun or a moon in the new creation “for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (21:23). But amidst the beauty of the Bride, under the light of the glory of God there is a wonderful promise. No more tears.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”   (Revelation 21:3-4 ESV)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. That’s the second time John has been impressed with that prophetic information (see Rev. 7:17). And this morning I’m thinking about the process of tear removal.

To be sure, the source of tears will be removed. Death, and the mourning, crying, and pain that come because of death, “shall be no more.”

But what of the tears shed before that day? How will they be removed?

By command? “Be gone,” and the tears, with their associated grief, simply disappear? By courier? God commands His angels, those “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14), to go forth with heaven-sized boxes of Kleenex to dry up the tears of their charges?

Or might the tears evaporate as eyes behold the glory of God and the light of the Lamb? Might there be something about what we see then that will act, as it were, like a soft cloth that absorbs and removes all that is associated with the sadness of “the former things?”

Or will God do it Himself? Might He actually, Himself, wipe away the tears? Will He who longs to dwell with His people somehow touch each eye? Will His people feel the hand of God as it brushes away the sorrow and the crying?

I don’t know. But I do know, because God’s promises are true, and because on that day He will somehow wipe away every tear from our eyes, that God cares about our tears.

And while there will be full and perfect tear removal in that future day, He also ministers to our tears today. Through the encouragement of the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4). Through the peace that passes understanding available through prayer (Php. 4:6-7). Through the comfort of the Spirit who helps us in our weakness (Rom. 8:26). And through the abiding presence of Christ who, because He Himself has shed tears (John 11:35, Heb. 5:7), is able to empathize and encourage those who also shed tears.

Tears. Because of them we can know, in some manner, the hand of God upon us as He deals with them. He will deal them on that day. The day John saw, when the Bride is presented to her Bridegroom in all her eternal glory, and our tears are wiped away forever. And God ministers to our tears today. The day for which His grace is sufficient as He who knows our tears, draws alongside that we might keep on keepin’ on through the tears.

To Him be all glory . . .

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Lord, You Know Everything

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Pete

After what had been a frustrating night, the morning was turning out to be perfect. They had gone fishing and had caught nothing all night. But then, as day was breaking, a Man on the shore tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat and BAM! All of a sudden the net is so full they can barely haul it in. But more than the realization of a bounty from the sea there was the realization of who spoke to them from the seashore. “It is the Lord!”

And Peter is excited to see Jesus and can’t wait to be with Jesus. And so, true to Peter’s nature, rather than get to shore the conventional way, as in, by boat, he “threw himself into the sea.” Soon, the dripping Peter, and the others are with Jesus around a fire having a breakfast prepared at the Master’s hand. It starts off to be a most excellent day.

And then, the conversation. Something I don’t think Peter saw coming at all. And what a great way to spoil an idyllic moment.

It begins with Jesus asking a simple, yet profound and probing question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” No brainer for Peter, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” And, had it finished there, it might have been the perfect ending to a perfect morning. But the conversation doesn’t end there.

Again, Jesus asks the same question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Again Peter answers, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” And then, the third time. Yet again Jesus asks the same question. And now Peter is grieved.

A cloud comes over the sunny morning. The food in his stomach turns over again and again. He chest becomes heavy, his voice softer and less confident. He may not have been sure what the Lord was driving towards, but it cast over him an uneasy sorrow. But again, though perhaps more humble than before, Peter repeats what he believes to be the honest expression of his heart,

. . . and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.”   (John 21:17b ESV)

Lord, You know everything.

The thrice repeated questioning of the Lord brought back a similar thrice-repeated questioning of just a few days ago when Peter was asked three times by random people if he was one of Jesus’s disciples. And each time, one, two, three times, he denied he even knew Jesus. And now, Jesus allows Peter to thrice-pledge his love for Jesus.

But the weight of his pledge lies not in his words but in that the Lord knows everything. While Jesus knew everything about Peter’s failure and denial, He knew too the earnestness and sincerity of Peter’s confession of adoration for the risen Christ.

Humbly, and somewhat confused by the repeated questioning, Peter stands before Jesus and acknowledges Him as the omniscient God. With contrition, and yet a confidence, he appeals to the One who operates in the secret places . . . the One who knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. And before Him Peter says, “You know that I love You. . . . Because You know everything.”

Sometimes, that’s our only appeal. When words seem to sound shallow. When our confidence in our motives is shaken by the voice of the accuser. When the weakness of our flesh fails the desire of our hearts. At those times, when we’re not sure what more can be said, we can say, “Lord, You know everything.”

And He does.

With abounding grace . . . for His eternal glory.

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The Crescendo of Heaven

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Pete

Some thoughts from 2010 that stirred my soul this morning . . .

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
(Revelation 19:9 ESV)

And with that declaration Revelation 19 stirs the heart and the imagination.

Christ is presented in His conquering glory (19:11-16) as He is beheld on a white horse bearing the name “Faithful and True!” He leads the armies of heaven with eyes like a flame of fire. On His head are many crowns. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called “the Word of God.” On His robe and on His thigh are written another name, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” And He executes final judgment upon the earth. He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

And I’m reminded this morning that this Awesome One has called me to His marriage supper.

Far from fearing His coming wrath, I’m reminded that the day awaits me when I will be “rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready” (19:7). That I will stand (or, more likely, be facedown) in the midst of His glory and be overwhelmed at my calling to His table. And what will I do? I will do what heaven does. I will worship. I will declare His praise. I will be part of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Revelation 19 is the only place in the New Testament where we find the word “Hallelujah!” Four times it echoes throughout heaven, each time echoing as well within my soul. If “holy, holy, holy” is the rhythm of heaven (Rev. 4:8), then this will be the crescendo of heaven.

The volume of heaven will steadily increase until “a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven say, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.” (19:1)

. . . as they rejoice over the putting down of the enemies of God, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” (19:3)

. . . as a sound like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, cries out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns!” (19:6)

. . . as the twenty four elders and four living creatures again go facedown and worship God sitting on the throne, saying, “Amen! Hallelujah!” (19:4)

And who is spurring on this “Hallelujah Chorus?”

And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.”   (Revelation 19:5 ESV)

A voice from the throne of God. Not God’s voice for He is the subject of the exaltation. Perhaps it is the voice of the Lamb in the midst of the throne (Rev. 5:6) who, as a Son, purposes in all things to bring glory to the Father. Perhaps it is the voice of the seven-fold Spirit of God before the throne (Rev. 4:5) who desires only to magnify the Father and Son. Or, maybe it’s just the “natural” calling heard by those who find themselves in the presence of God as “Praise our God, Shout Hallelujah!” burns within their hearts.

The apostle John is so overwhelmed by all he sees and hears that he falls down at the feet of his escort angel. As John tries to digest it all he feels compelled to humble himself and worship something . . . anything!! And the angel directs John to the only object worthy of adoration, “Worship God!” (19:10)

What else is there left to do amidst such a wondrous sight . . . before such an awesome God . . . called by such a Wonderful Savior?

And right there, in the middle of it all, there I’ll be!!! Part of the bride of Christ, the wife which has made herself ready! Amazing!!

By the grace of God I have been invited. By the love of God the price for my admission has been paid. By the gift of God I have received the faith to RSVP, “Yes! I’ll come.  O Lamb of God, I come!!”

How overwhelming to imagine the marriage celebration which awaits and to be part of the crescendo of heaven.

How I look forward to being part of that choir. To falling at His feet in worship and adoration. To singing at the top of my lungs, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” And again, “Hallelujah!”

All because of amazing grace . . . all for His unending glory.

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The Difference a Day Makes

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Pete

Reading in Zechariah this morning. A lot of prophetic imagery to work through. Some I think I get, some I’m not so sure about. Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend some extended time in the book with some good “helps” at my side. But as I wade through it this morning, in chapter three I find some familiar terminology. And as I hover over it, I can’t help but think of the difference a day makes.

The vision in chapter three is that of a dirty priest. His name is Joshua and he is seen “clothed with filthy garments.” I’m guessing that it’s symbolic of the rough state of the priesthood contributing to Judah’s exile to Babylon. Those who had been called to be holy before God, allowed themselves to be defiled among men. Those who were to atone for the people instead joined the people in their spiritual infidelity and their sexual immorality. Their garments are filthy. They’re stained. Stained with sin, iniquity, and transgression.

And in this vision, next to Joshua, there is Satan, “standing at his right hand to accuse him.” Of course he is, where else would the accuser of the brothers be but before those who were to be God’s best pointing out how corrupted they were.

But heaven will have none of it and Satan is rebuked.

And then a command is given concerning Joshua, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And a word is spoken to Joshua, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you and I will clothe you with the pure vestments.” Has a familiar ring to it, doesn’t it?

And the prophecy reveals that Joshua and his “friends” are but a foreshadowing, a sign or symbol, of a greater work that God will do.

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.     (Zechariah 3:8-9 ESV)

The LORD”s servant, the Branch arrives. Described as “a single stone with seven eyes.” And through Him, God will remove the iniquity of the land in a single day. O, the difference a day makes!

Jeremiah refers to Him as “the righteous Branch” (Jer. 23:5, 33:15). Isaiah sees Him as a “young plant” and ” a root out of dry ground” having “no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2). And that this Branch is the Lamb of God is confirmed in His eyes . . . “

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.    (Revelation 5:6 ESV)

And through the Branch, upon the Stone, because of the Lamb, God justly and fully and eternally removes the iniquity of the land in a single day. What a day!

As much as we celebrate the day of His birth, it is the day of His death that makes all the difference. To be born a Savior would have been meaningless had He not submitted to the Father’s will and died as the once for all sacrifice. To be exalted by angels would have been but a superficial production if He had not humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. While His birth might have become the pivotal point for our calendars, it is His death that has impacted the eternal destiny of men and women throughout the ages. O, the difference a day makes!

To Him be all praise!

All because of wondrous grace! All for His everlasting glory!

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The Latter Glory

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Pete

Glory. That’s what makes the temple, the temple. Without God’s glory it’s really just another structure. Be it the portable tabernacle in the wilderness, built according to God’s specific instructions, or Solomon’s magnificent structure built and arrayed with seemingly unlimited resources, what makes the temple the house of God is His glory.

And as I read Haggai this morning, I’m reminded of the latter glory.

And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.   (Haggai 2:7-9 ESV)

For those who had returned to rebuild the temple after the Babylonian exile, though the temple was taking shape, it really didn’t look like much. And so, it was easy to get discouraged and distracted. Easy to have their attention diverted to looking after their own houses rather than attending to God’s.

For those who had seen the house in its former glory, what they were piecing back together wasn’t looking anything like what once was. But what they were remembering and focusing on was the beauty of the structure. And while it might have been impressive and gold-covered, it was but the shell. And that is an empty glory, really, if the building isn’t filled with the presence of God. The glory is what makes the temple the temple.

And through the prophet’s message to the people to keep on attending to the house of God, a promise is given. A promise of a day when God will shake the heavens and the earth, when He will shake the nations and unlimited treasures will again be available for the structure.  But more importantly, a day when He “will fill this house with glory” and “the latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former.”

The latter glory. That time when beyond the cloud that descended upon the tabernacle in the wilderness . . . and beyond the smoke of heaven that filled Solomon’s temple and ran everybody out . . . God Himself fills the temple in the person of the blessed Son.

A foreshadow of that glory was seen 2,000 years ago when Jesus, called Immanuel, God with us, was brought into the temple by His parents. Though most missed it, Simeon caught it,

” . . . for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”     (Luke 2:30-32 ESV)

And while the glory resides today on the earth by His Spirit through the church, the company of the redeemed joined together, growing into a holy temple in the Lord . . . being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Eph. 2:21-22), many still miss it.

But a day is coming when Jesus will return to the temple. This time as King of kings and Lord of lords, and every knee will bow, “in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php. 2:10-11). And the glory in its fullness shall return. And the latter glory will be greater than the former.

Might we live in anticipation of the latter glory . . .

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What They Deserve

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Pete

Seems to me there’s a number of ways to read Revelation. One way is to read it with curiosity. To take an investigative approach as one looks for clues concerning the end times and tries to match them with current events. I suppose another way to read it is with anticipation. Working through the unsealing of seals, and the blowing of trumpets, and the pouring out of vials, all the while just wanting to get to the part where the marriage feast occurs and every tear is wiped away and the new order is established.

But this morning, I’m thinking you can also read the book with a sense of dread if you choose to hover over the parts where God unleashes His wrath and gives the unrepentant what they deserve.

The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are You, O Holy One, who is and who was, for You brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!”    (Revelation 16:4-6 ESV)

The full wrath of God’s judgment is being unleashed. In another reading this morning, Zephaniah describes it as a bitter day when the mighty man cries aloud. That day of wrath being “a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Zeph. 1:15). And all the more amazing is that men who endure that day will not repent though they know that God is the source of such great affliction. Three times in Revelation 16 it says men will curse God and refuse to repent or give Him glory. And so, nothing more is left but to get what they deserve.

“It is their just due” (NKJV). They receive their “just reward” (NLT). And I can’t think of a more frightening thought than to stand before a holy, holy, holy God and get what we deserve. It’s a death sentence. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . and the wages of sin is death(Rom. 3:23, 6:23).

It’s the antithesis of grace. Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve.

Not that the just due for our sin was left unpaid. But that it was paid by Another in full. Jesus came so that He might take upon Himself what we deserve. The wrath of a holy God poured out on His holy Son for an unholy people. The judgment required for our transgression applied fully to His account that our debt might be wiped clean. Jesus, the Lamb of God, come as the substitutionary sacrifice so that, on that day, men and women might not live in dread of receiving what they deserve.

And so, while the dread of these final plagues grips me, the wonder of grace lifts me. While I can’t imagine people still cursing God in that day, I marvel that He has given me a song of praise to sing for this day.

Not that I deserve any of it. That’s the whole point. I no longer live in the fear of getting what I deserve but in the joy of possessing that which I do not deserve.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight . . .    (Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV)

Lavished upon. According to the riches of His grace. Not what we deserve.

To Him be all glory . . .

 

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Global Warming

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Pete

I’m probably connecting two dots this morning that perhaps aren’t intended to be connected, but they’ve got me thinking about the glory of God and what encountering that glory might be like. Two verses from two of my readings, coming together in my mind and causing me to think about “global warming” in a whole new way.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.   (Habakkuk 2:14 ESV)

. . . and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.  (Revelation 15:8 ESV)

In Habakkuk, God responds to the prophet’s concern that God has chosen the wicked and ruthless Chaldeans to judge, in Habakkuk’s mind, the “not-as-wicked-as-them” people of God. Habakkuk didn’t doubt the need for divine intervention to deal with the downward spiral and increasing infidelity of God’s people. He just hadn’t seen the Chaldeans as the solution. And so God responds, that judgment awaits the Chaldeans as well for their arrogant and violent godlessness.

And in that prophetic word, God says that it points to a future day, a day when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.” God’s glory will be known by experience, it will be encountered up close and personal. And I left my reading in Habakkuk wondering what will it be like when the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth? And then my reading in Revelation.

In John’s vision, preparation is being made for God’s final judgment on rebellious earth. Those who have conquered the beast, at the cost of their lives by the blood of the Lamb, are before the throne singing the song of Moses (15:3). All who will repent have repented and received God’s salvation. God’s patience, thus, has run out. And as “the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven” is opened, seven angels emerge with seven plagues (15:5-6).

And as the heavenly holy of holies is open the glory fills the sanctuary. And with that glory, there’s smoke. And where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Just as, when the glory of God led the people out of Egypt, it was a pillar of smoke by day and column of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). As when the glory of the deliverer God descended upon Mount Sinai and the mount “was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire” (Ex. 19:18).

So, as I ask myself, what will it be like when the earth is filled with glory of God, I come up with global warming.

The fire of God’s glory manifest. Not a consuming fire, instead a fire that brings true light. A fire that is manifest by the King of kings and infuses the inhabitants of all the earth as they will know the glory, receive the glory, and live out the glory. Not a climate change, but a people change. The King reigns, and His subjects emit the warmth of His glory.

What will it be like on that day when the His glory fills the earth? Don’t really know. I can only imagine.

Until then, let’s live in the hope and anticipation of that day of global warming.

By God’s grace . . . for God’s glory.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

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