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 . . .

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in John, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Uncategorized, Zechariah | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 . . .

Posted in Haggai, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 . . .

 

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Habakkuk, Revelation | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Where Are You From

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Pete

Some re-worked thoughts from 2012 . . .

He was full of questions. As the “Jesus problem” escalated, you sense that Pilate didn’t know what to do. It seems he was growing increasingly frantic. The mob was getting ugly and more demanding. And, bottom line, the Prisoner shouldn’t have even been here. So the governor ping-pongs back and forth between accusers and Accused with question after question. “What’s the accusation?” . . . “Are You the king of the Jews?” . . . “What have You done?” . . . “What is truth?” . . . “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:28-40). Back and forth, forth and back.

Pilate doesn’t know what to do with this situation. Maybe if he has the Man beaten, roughs Him up a bit, and gives the crowd some blood, maybe that will settle them down. But it doesn’t. They want Him executed. They want Him hung on a cross. And they want it now! “Fine!” says Pilate (sort of), “if that’s what you want, then go do it yourself! I find no guilt in Him” (John 19:6). Whatever the crowds accusations have been to the point, no fault. No guilt. No reason to be doing to the Man Jesus what they have been doing.

But then, they level an accusation against Jesus that strikes fear into the heart of wishy-washy Pilate. And it leads Pilate to on more question. The question which, it seems to me, is the defining question when it comes to Jesus.

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law He ought to die because He has made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.   (John 19:7-9 ESV)

“Where are You from?” Talk about your question for the ages.

Pilates “masterful” examination of the situation finally reveals “root cause.” The religious leaders were bent out of shape, and had incited a riotous mob, because Jesus made Himself equal with God. And if Pilate was getting frantic before with what to do with an innocent man, he was now even “more afraid.”

There had been something about this Jesus which Pilate had encountered in no one else before. Something about Him that had intrigued Pilate. Something so different about Jesus that Pilate sensed he was talking to a man unlike any man he had ever met. It was that same something which had caused Pilate’s wife to warn her husband to “have nothing to do with that righteous Man” (Matt. 27:19). And Pilate knew that what his wife said was true. He knew deep within that this was, in fact, a righteous Man.

And now he hears this, He claims to be the Son of God. What?!? Could it be true?!? Talk about your game changer!

“Where are You from?”

Not a bad question to ask. An even better question to honestly seek to answer.

But that’s where Pilate tapped out. Too much pressure from the crowd. Too much potential for a career limiting, if not life limiting, decision. So rather than deal with the question, he tries to wash his hands of the whole situation (Matt. 27:24). And he turns his back on the flogged, beaten, ridiculed Man of Galilee. And he let’s the question fall to the ground. And he shrugs his shoulders, turns to the crowd, and says, in essence, “Whatever.”

But for those who will ponder the question and pursue an answer . . . for those who will sincerely ask . . . and honestly seek . . . and earnestly knock, they will be answered with insight . . . and they will find the truth . . . and to them the door leading to eternal life will be opened.

And really, is there a better time of year than this time to ask again the question, “Where are You from?” When our focus is directed toward a manger? When we think about a baby, against whose birth we mark time? When we consider afresh a story of immaculate conception . . . of angels reportedly visiting . . . of shepherds apparently praising . . . and of wise men persistently inquiring? Is there a better time to quiet our hearts seek again the answer? Thinkin’ not!

Even for those of us who, by God’s grace, know the answer, and have have believed and received the truth, it is a question worth asking anew. Pondering afresh, in awe-filled wonder, that He is truly the Son of God sent from heaven to rescue those in bondage to sin. Responding with worship, offering again ourselves to the King who is worthy of all honor and praise. The King from heaven.

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
  when Thou camest to earth for me;
  but in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room
  for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
  there is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word
  that should set Thy people free;
  but with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
  they bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
  there is room in my heart for Thee.

(Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, Timothy R. Matthews, Emily E.S. Elliot)

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

 

Posted in John, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

No Place for Him

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Pete

Our minds are hopefully increasingly getting focused on that old, old story. The story of a baby born. Not just any baby, but the Son of the Most High. Many familiar aspects to the story. An angel appears. A virgin is found with child. Shepherds have an encounter of the divine kind. Wise men follow a star.

I read about Him in Micah 5 this morning. The eternal aspect of His birth. Foretold by a prophet centuries in advance . . . coming forth from of old, from ancient days . . . One who would be ruler in Israel . . . One who would one day stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD from His holy hill . . . One who came to bring peace. And this One would be born in nondescript Bethlehem. But on the night of His birth in Bethlehem, as the old, old story reminds us, there was no place for Him.

I also read about Him in Revelation 12. The cosmic side of His birth. A great red dragon in the heavenlies ready to devour the Child. But this Child who was born to “rule all the nations” is “caught up to God and to His throne.” And the dragon is defeated. He and his angels are thrown down. “And there was no longer any place for them in heaven” (12:8). And this morning I’m struck by the fact that there’s no place for the dragon, either.

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!”   (Revelation 12:10-12a ESV)

No room for the accuser in heaven. No place for Him because he has nothing to say concerning the “brothers.” No accusation to bring against those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and have born witness of the kingdom of the Christ.

I’m reminded that the devil has a lack of material when it comes to accusing God’s people.

He has nothing to say. Not because we have paid the price for our iniquity, but because Jesus has, once for all, at Calvary. Not because we, in ourselves, are without stain, but because His atoning blood wipes clean every stain.

No accusation left for the devil to bring. Not because of our perfection, but because of our Savior’s. Not because of any righteousness of our own making, but because we have been robed in His righteousness.

The carpet has been pulled out from underneath the feet of our enemy, the accuser. There’s no place for him.

And this, because of the Christ.  Who, on that night in Bethlehem, was born a Redeemer, though there was no place for Him either.

O come let us adore Him!

What wondrous grace. To Him be all praise and glory.

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

From Fear to Fear

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Pete

Apparently there’s fear, and then there’s fear. Reading Jonah this morning, and in the opening act of this well known story it’s the fear factor that’s caught my attention.

The first thing I noticed was Jonah’s “national fear” or his “ethnic fear.”

Jonah’s shipmates are going crazy. The world is turning upside down around them . . . kind of literally. The seas have been thrown into chaos. They’ve never experienced anything like it. It is so severe that they know this is not just a natural weather pattern. And they eventually discern that somehow their tempest is related to their traveler, the guy asleep in the bottom of the boat. And so they grill Jonah, “Confess. Why this disaster? What is your work? Where do you come from? What country? What family?” (1:8 MSG). And Jonah’s response is kind of humorous.

“I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”   ~ Jonah     (Jonah 1:8-9 ESV)

Really, Jonah? You fear God? God told you to go left and you went right. God commanded you go to the great city and you headed for the wide open seas. God told you to go public and, instead, you went hermit. God said, do my will. And you tried to flee from His presence. Yet, you say, “I fear the LORD.”

So, it seems to me that, in this case, fearing God is less about an attitude of Jonah’s heart and more of an attribute attached to his religion. That the “fear” he has because of his heritage is more of a banner that he wears than it is a behavior which he exhibits.

But then I notice another example of the fear of the LORD. Not just a religious fear. But a God inspired, awe-filling, boot-shaking, action-taking fear.

Therefore they called out to the LORD, “O LORD, let us not perish for this mans life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.   (Jonah 1:14-15 ESV)

These poor mariners are frazzled. It has not been a good day for them.

They start off being afraid because of the raging seas that have whipped up around them–unlike anything they had encountered before, causing each of them to cry out desperately to whatever god they were familiar with (1:5). Then, when they find out that Jonah is a prophet on the run, and that the tempest they’re in is the Creator’s way of pursuing His AWOL servant, they become “exceedingly afraid”– as in double afraid, as in terror-filled afraid. And then they are cornered into throwing a man of God overboard as a last ditch effort to save themselves . . . can’t image the fear they felt at that point.

So they toss Jonah overboard. And the sea’s calm. And the light goes on. And they now know the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, reigns. And their desperate fear becomes directed awe as they bow before the LORD God, the Maker of heaven and earth. And they worship. And they resolve to worship more. And their fear of the LORD isn’t just some lip-giving platitude, but plays out as a new life-altering response.

So, apparently there’s fear, and then there’s fear.

Might we, as God’s people, fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. And that it would be more than a slogan we utter, but would be manifest in a sacrifice we would willingly offer.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   (Romans 12:1 ESV)

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

Posted in Jonah, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment