More to Come

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Pete

There was more they needed to know, but this night wasn’t the night.

Though Jesus had given His disciples the full gospel, the implications of that gospel were yet to be fully realized — and that would have to wait until another time. At this time, their hearts were troubled (John 14:1, 27). For though He had said He would come again, they were still wrestling with understanding why He had to leave them in the first place. Though He promised them a peace unlike anything the world could give, at least right now, they weren’t feeling it. So, while there was more they needed to know, this night was not the night. And this morning, I’m chewing on the thought that what was true for them might just be true for me, as well.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” ~ Jesus

(John 16:12 ESV)

So much more to learn about the Law of the Spirit in relation to the Law of Moses. So much to learn about walls of hostility coming down between Jew and Gentile. So much to learn about faith and works and the relationship between the two.

So much more to know about walking in the Way. So much more to understand about following Jesus. So much more to grasp of what it means to bear one’s cross. So much more to realize just how slow sanctification can be. So much more to internalize the unbelievable nature of overflowing, abundant grace.

So much more . . . but not right now. ‘Cause right now, it would be too much more. More than could be taken in. More than could be carried forward. More than they could bear.

Thus, there would be more to come.

A principle well applied, I think, regardless of how long one has been following Jesus. That, regardless of how long we’ve been talking the talk and walking the walk, while we might know some things — maybe even a lot of things — we don’t know everything. In fact, there’s many things our Lord still needs to say to us. But not right now, for right now we cannot bear them.

Wouldn’t actualizing this principle save us from a lot? A lot of pride? A lot of judgment? A lot of misdirected zeal? I’m thinkin’ . . .

No, as I pause and reflect back over the years, I’m knowin’ . . .

There’s been more than a few of these “many things” said to me over the past few years in particular. So many, that it’s been kind of humbling. Yet so many that it has also been kind of exhilarating. Exhilarating because hearing these “many things” has meant repeated encounters of the divine kind.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth . . . ”

(John 16:13a ESV)

I’ve often referred to the lessons learned over these past several years as points of “clarity.” But this morning, I know they are more the active agency of illumination — Spirit-communicated lucidity. Lights going on. Dots being connected. Depths being revealed. Old truths appreciated to a new level.

I’m thinking that if anyone should be a “lifelong learner” it’s the believer. That if anyone should be prepared to be surprised by realizing how little they’ve known about what they think they’ve known really well, it’s the mere mortal indwelt with the eternal, all-knowing Spirit of truth.

So, I’m pretty sure there’s more to come. I’m thinking there’s still many things He needs to say to me.

Lord, give me ears to hear what You, through the Spirit, have yet to say to me. Set my heart towards being guided into all truth.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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The Bow Undone

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Pete

Read Job 29 and 30 together and it’s a dickens of a contrast — the best of times and the worst of times.

Chapter 29 is Job at his best, a force to be reckoned with. In his prime (29:4), people deferred when in his presence (29:7-10). He was a champion of the poor and fatherless, the widow’s ray of joy (29:12-13). He was a crusader for justice for the under-classed (29:14-17). He was the E.F. Hutton of the ancient world, “When Job talks, people listen” (29:21-22).

Yessir, those were the days. The days when “the friendship of God” was on his tent (29:4). His glory days, days of power when, as Job declares, “my bow [was] ever new in my hand” (29:20). Those were the best of times.

And then, those ominous words which open chapter 30 . . . “But now . . . ”

Now, for whatever reason, because of the collapse of his material empire, because of the calamity of losing all his children, because of a countenance so diminished by physical compromise, the world that once so respected him, now derided him. They laughed at him (30:1). They then recoiled from him and kept their distance from him. If by chance they should look upon him, it was only to spit at him (30:10). They blindsided him, tripped him up, and jumped on him, though he was already down. They threw every form of obstacle in his way, determined to ruin him, unwilling to lift a finger to help him (30:12-13 MSG).

And how come? What conclusion is Job left to draw? God has turned on him (30:21). And the bow that once was ever new in his hand, is now undone.

“They abhor me; they keep aloof from me; they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me. Because God has loosed my cord and humbled me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.” ~ Job

(Job 30:10-11 ESV)

Because God has loosed my cord . . . That’s the phrase that strikes me this morning.

God’s unstrung my bow. He’s slackened the string and so has rendered my weapon and its arrows useless. My vigor is gone, my defenses are removed. My power a thing of the past. And because God has disarmed me, those around me “cast off restraint in my presence.”

The end result? God has humbled me.

Suffering has a way of doing that, of humbling a person. Seemingly uncontrollable and unjust circumstances have a way of hamstringing our ability to justify ourselves. The evaporation of authority and ability — the emptying of the quiver of self-sufficiency — has a way of compelling us to want to hear from the only One who can make any sense of seemingly senseless situation. But even then, sometimes all we get from the Almighty is silence and a blank stare (30:20).

As I chew on Job’s lament — his before and after heartbreak — I know that through it God has Job exactly where He wants Job.

God has . . . humbled me . . .

For blessed are the poor in spirit, because their’s is the kingdom (Matt. 5:3), and they are never more ready to see the King than when they are at the end of themselves. For He whose name is Holy, who dwells in the high and holy place, also abides with those “of a contrite and lowly spirit”, and will, in His perfect time and according to His perfect purpose, revive the low spirited and give new life to the crushed heart (Isa. 57:15).

Not that I’d choose the way of Job, not that I’d want to live the contrast he had to live. But also, not that I would change anything I have endured which has “loosed my cord and humbled me.” For it is when our bow is undone — when our self-sufficiency is no longer enough — it is then that we experience the all-sufficiency of His grace, and we experientially know that His power really is manifest in our weakness (2Cor. 2:9). It is when we are humbled that we are primed and ready to be lifted up (1Peter 5:6); to see the God who has for so long seemed to be unseeable; to hear the God who, for too long, had seemed to be silent.

I will extol you, O LORD, for You have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. . . . O LORD, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. . . . Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

(Psalm 30:1, 3, 5 ESV)

When the cord is loosed, when the bow is undone, get ready. For God will be known in a way He’s never been known before. (Just read the rest of Job)

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Betrothed!

Posted on November 29, 2024 by Pete

Reading in Hosea this morning and some repeated words hit me in a fresh way, waves of wonder crashing over me as I not only chew on them but hear them whispered to me again . . .

“I will betroth you to Me . . . “

If you know Hosea’s story, you know it’s not your conventional Hallmark love story. It’s not guy meets the girl of his dreams, guy and girl fall in love, guy and girl live happily every after. No, this is guy marries girl “of the streets”, guy and girl have kids (maybe not all his), girl leaves guy to go back to the streets, yet guy still shows his love for the girl by redeeming her from her enslaving lifestyle choices. Kind of an unbelievable love story, actually.

And yet, I’m reminded this morning of how much it is my love story. And no, I’m not the guy in the story. I’m the girl. Jesus is the guy. And why does He keep drawing on the price paid once-for-all on Calvary’s cross in order to repeatedly rescue me from myself? It’s because of those repeated words . . .

“I will betroth you to Me forever. I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.”

(Hosea 2:19-20 ESV)

Like the star-struck Shulammite of Solomon’s Song, this morning I hear the voice of my Beloved (Song 6:13, 2:8a), “I will betroth you to Me” — words He’s been whispering since I first started understanding the implications of my feeble yet faith-fueled “I do” to Him over 40 years ago.

I didn’t choose Him, He betrothed Me to Himself. I didn’t pick Him, He in sovereign grace decided to propose to me. And that we’re “still together” after more than four decades isn’t so much a testament to my faithfulness as it is to His and His abounding grace and the enduring atonement made for my propensity towards waywardness — all of it, past, present, and future. And how come? Because He has purposed, “I will betroth you to Me.”

Betrothed forever. Betrothed in righteousness — His righteousness. Betrothed in justice — the priced paid in full. Betrothed in steadfast love. Betrothed in mercy. Betrothed in faithfulness — not mine, but His.

Oh, the wonder of being the bride of Christ. To be His delight. To anticipate standing before Him in all the splendor and beauty and perfection He has purposed for us. The righteousness imputed to us. The righteousness imparted to us as, over a lifetime, He has made us more like Himself through the sanctifying work of the Spirit. And more than once through that time, He has rescued us from ourselves and our tendencies to want to go back and live like we used to.

“I will betroth you to Me . . .”

Thank you, Lord.

For Your grace. To you be the glory.

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Go Your Way

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Pete

Gonna rerun some thoughts from 2018, thoughts on the last verse of Daniel — the verse by which God is speaking to me this morning.

Lot of details in these last chapters of Daniel. I know that a lot of it maps to history, but not a lot really maps for me. That is, until I get to the last verse.

“But go your way till the end.” (Daniel 12:13a ESV)

As I chew on these last chapters of Daniel, I’m struck that it’s not necessarily about “getting it”, but about “doing it” — go your way.

It’s about remaining on the path God has placed before me, even when so many around me seem to be in a panic. About being faithful, even when so much about me is frantic. About seeking first His heavenly kingdom, even when the earthly rule I currently live under seems so chaotic.

It’s a command to obey . . . it’s the way of the follower . . . “Go your way.”

Till the end . . . Whether that be the end when I end, or the end when He returns. Either end, keep on keepin’ on.

Go your way.

Here’s how I processed it six years ago . . .

He understood the prophetic word he heard. He got the vision that was revealed.

That’s what it says of Daniel, in the opening verse of Daniel 10, about the revelation he received in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. And why shouldn’t he have understood? That’s what Daniel did.

From a youth, as a rookie in training in the king’s court, God had blessed him with “understanding in all visions and dreams” (1:17). Throughout his political career he received notoriety as he repeatedly had been called on to be the conduit through which the “God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (2:28) would speak to rulers on earth who really knew nothing.

Then, toward the end of his life, it was Daniel who was having the dreams. Daniel who was troubled by terrifying mind pictures. And God Himself, through heavenly emissaries, who revealed things yet to come.

But as I read these final chapters of Daniel which began with, “he understood the word and had understanding of the vision”, I notice it concludes with Daniel’s self-admission, “I heard, but I did not understand” (12:8). Daniel understood . . . but only mostly. He knew it . . . but just in part. He got it . . . except for the stuff he didn’t.

Isn’t that the way it is with things concerning the end times? For as much as we think we know, when it comes to Jesus’ return, there is still much shrouded in mystery. A lot we don’t know. A lot left for debate. Maybe that’s why the closing verse of Daniel’s prophecy grabs me this morning. Why it is such an encouragement and comfort as I chew on the command and the promise.

“But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

(Daniel 12:13 ESV)

To this senior saint, one who had served many kings well, and had served the King of kings faithfully, the command is given, “Go to the end.” Forget about hangin’ up a shingle on your life’s door that might read, “Closed, Gone Fishing.” But keep on keepin’ on.

Go your way. Be about your business. Walk in the paths I have for you yet to walk in. The paths I will show you, just as I have faithfully shown you over the decades.

Don’t be distracted by visions and mysteries partially revealed. But live according to the revelation you have received.

Don’t be entangled in the affairs of the kingdoms about you, but set your mind and heart fully on the kingdom yet to come.

And this because of the promise. You shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days. Whenever the end times occur, however the last days might play out, “you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you” (NLT).

What is now seen imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, what is now but partial and incomplete knowledge, will one day–perhaps soon and very soon–be seen with clarity and known completely. What is now by faith, one day, will be face to face.

So much we have learned. So much we don’t know. So much we think we get. So little, sometimes, we think we understand. But this we do know, His grace has brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, 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 24, 25 ESV)

I shall stand with Him on that day. That’s the promise to believe.

Until then, by His enabling, I will go till the end. That’s the command to obey.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Keeping Keeps Keeping On

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Pete

Last Friday I reran a post from 2020 on the thought of being a “kept man.” This morning, as I finish up in Jude, the keeping keeps keeping on.

Jude would have liked to have written to those “called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (1:2) about their “common salvation” (1:3). Yet, among those who were “kept” had come those who had “crept” — ungodly people who perverted the grace of God (1:4). Thus, among the believers there were some pretty questionable behaviors.

Yeah, there it was . . . among the believers. In the church. The way of Cain, the error of Balaam, and the rebellion of Korah (1:11). Hidden reefs, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, wild waves, wandering stars (1:12). All within the church. Talk about your tares among the wheat (Mt. 13:36-43)!

And within that context, for the kept the keeping keeps keeping on.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. . . .

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 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 1:20-21, 24-25 ESV)

Keep yourselves. God, our Savior, is able to keep you.

Guard yourself. He will guard you.

Watch yourself. He will keep watch over you.

Attend carefully to your steps with Jesus. He will attend carefully ensuring you stand firm in Jesus.

Me and He. That’s how the keeping keeps keeping on.

Though with flaky flesh without, and despite an obstinate old man within, I purpose with holy determination to pursue the kingdom in the King’s way by the King’s power. I keep myself in the love of God. But thank God it’s not left entirely to me.

For God, with steadfast love, new mercies every morning, and grace abounding also keeps an on me and is able to keep me from stumbling. Able to finish the work He begun in me (Php. 1:6). Able to present me to Himself as part of His glorious church “not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

I head into the day mindful of keeping myself. I head into the day confident of His ability to keep me until the day I see my Savior face to face. I head into the day resting in the reality that it’s not just up to me, but up to “we” . . . for it’s “no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). So, we will keep the keeping keeping on.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Kept Man (2020 Rerun)

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Pete

Okay . . . honestly I’m a little unsure about that title. While it’s catchy and perhaps an appropriate play on words given what I’m chewing on this morning, the cultural idea of being “kept” is kind of shady. A “kept woman”, or “kept man” for that matter, is someone granted a certain lifestyle in exchange for certain “favors.” But the word “kept” is the word that’s in my Bible. And, not just in my ESV translation, but in every translation I referenced other than the KJV where it’s translated “preserved.” So, call me a bit of a risk taker, but I’m staying with the title, . . . and the thought, . . . and, I submit, with biblical language. This morning I’m noodling on the blessing of being a kept man.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

(Jude 1-2 ESV)

Sometimes, when overwhelmed by the way things are, it’s prudent to pause, be still, and remember who you are. And this morning I’m taking such a pause, reflecting on the declaration of God’s word that I am called, beloved, and kept.

Called. Chosen in God the Son “before the foundation of the world”, that I “should be holy and blameless” before God the Father (Eph. 1:3-4). Not because of anything I would ever be and despite everything I would eventually do. But just because God, in His Sovereign purposes, determined to move in this sinner’s hard heart and redeem him through overflowing grace. Pause. Reflect. Worship.

Beloved in God the Father. Loved to the uttermost by the Creator. Sacrificially loved, as the Father sent His one and only Son to earth as a Lamb. A Lamb offered up once for all in payment for the debt of sin I could never pay. Wholly loved, as my rescue came also with an adoption, being made more than just a freed slave from sin, but brought into His house as a child of God and a joint heir with Christ. Patiently loved, as I stumble through the work He has begun in me, being transformed increasingly into the likeness of the Son while I battle daily with the flesh. A slow process to be sure. But the love of God has determined that I should be a child of God and so I am, and so shall I be.

Called. Beloved. But it’s the thought of being kept that so captures this sinner’s saved heart.

Depending on the translation you’re reading, those who are called and beloved are either kept for Jesus Christ or kept by Jesus Christ. Both are true. But while the idea that I am being preserved by Christ evokes thanksgiving, to think that such divine effort would be made to carefully guard the new life I’ve been given for Christ lights up the awe-o-meter.

Mercy would rescue me and ensure my passage to a promised land. But it’s a love that I can’t fathom which would have a God who is all-sufficient in Himself desire me for Himself.

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” ~ Jesus

(John 17:24 ESV)

Kept for Jesus. That having been given to Him we would one day be with Him. Not that He needs us, but that He wants us. Not that we deserve Him, but that He desires us. Trophies of grace for His glory. Children through adoption for His delight.

I’m a kept man. Kept by Jesus. Kept for Jesus.

Kept in His steadfast, unfailing love. Kept by the Spirit, the power of God and the seal guaranteeing the promise.

Kept by His grace. Kept for His glory.

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The God Who Dwells with Flesh

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Pete

For those who partake of my morning meal regularly, you’re probably thinking I’ve been fasting lately. Not many meals shared over the last couple of weeks. Alas, life with two little boys in the house has been busier than usual lately and they too, apparently, are becoming, more and more, morning people. Thus, finding the time to type a few words after reading in the morning has been hard. So thankful that, for this morning at least, I get a few minutes to chew on some things.

A double reading in my reading plan this morning, so I covered the reign of Nebuchadnezzar according to Daniel (Daniel 1 thru 4) — a reign marked by bad dreams but some pretty good revelation. Lessons learned that would serve this pagan king well forever . . . and I do think “forever!”

Bad Dream No. 1 sets the stage for Nebuchadnezzar to encounter the God unlike any other god he had been familiar with or worshiped before — the God whose dwelling IS with flesh.

Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. . . . The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. . . . Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” . . . The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

(Daniel 2:2a, 5, 6b, 10-11 ESV)

The gods whose dwelling is not with flesh . . . that’s the phrase the popped.

Over the years, Nebuchadnezzar would, because of divine insomnia, come to know and worship Daniel’s God — the God and King of heaven (Dan. 2:18, 19, 37, 44; 4:37). And that because Daniel’s God, unlike the many gods of Babylon, had determined to dwell with flesh.

Until the exiles of Judah came into their midst, the gods of Babylon were, at best, the distant gods of nature — gods who were perceptible but not present. At worst, they were inert, unpredictable gods of wood and precious metal fashioned at the hands of every day, run of the mill craftsmen. Either way, they were unknowable gods to be feared and appeased and coerced into showing them favor, not a God of fellowship and adoration making Himself known in order to communicate His favor. So, when Nebuchadnezzar insists on being told only what the gods themselves could know, his wise men wisely say, “No way. That would take the gods. And those gods are not willing to dwell with flesh.”

Though they were charlatans for the most part, Nebuchadnezzar’s cohort were speaking truth in this instance — no one can reveal the mysteries birthed in heaven except the God of heaven, and only then if He purposes to be a God willing to touch down on earth. That’s what Daniel & Co. had brought with them. As pieces of the temple were transported into Babylon, as people faithful to the temple were assimilated into Babylonian culture, the God who had determined to be in the midst of His people had been imported too. The God who so loved the world had purposed to make known that love by being a God who would come into the Babylonian world — a God whose dwelling IS with flesh.

Cue Jesus.

Trigger thoughts of “Immanuel (which means, God with us)” (Matt. 1:23).

Ignite fresh wonder at a God of mysteries who has condescended to reveal mysteries to those who bear His image (Dan. 2:28), and to do so by being a God who would empty Himself (Php. 2:5-7) in order to come into our space and dwell among us (Jn. 1:14). To speak to us in these last days, and that by His Son (Heb. 1:2).

Worship the God of heaven, the God who dwells with flesh. By His Spirit. Through His Son.

O, what a Savior!

What grace!

Worthy is He to receive glory!

Amen?

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Seeing the Glory of God

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Pete

Met with a friend yesterday, her world kind of rocked by the election results last week. For her, character mattered — like really mattered! And so, it’s taking a bit for her to work through how character seemingly didn’t matter to others, especially those of the household of faith. As coffee conversations tend to go, we rambled down a few streams of consciousness talking about various ways one can find themselves misaligned with others born again of the same Spirit. And at one point, an old saying from a bygone era came to mind:

“To live above, with saints we love; oh, won’t that will be glory?
But to live below, with saints we know; now, that’s a different story!”

Yesterday’s conversation, and that little saying, came to mind as I read a familiar account in John’s gospel this morning.

Jesus is at the tomb of Lazarus. Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus, whom Jesus loved. Lazarus, who is dead. Lazarus, who is about to be un-dead.

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone.

(John 11:39-41a ESV)

Seeing the glory of God . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1). Jesus declares the glory of God (2Cor. 4:6, Heb. 1:3). And Lazarus too, would declare the glory of God. That’s what resurrected people do, evidently. Those who were once dead and then are made alive declare the glory of God. Even the saints we know who live below.

They may have not voted as we voted, may not have weighed the relative merits of character and conviction as we did, may not have walked the talk as we think the talk should have been walked, but if you believed you would see the glory of God. For they, like us, were once dead and then made alive.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins . . . But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved.

(Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 ESV)

They are the un-dead — those once buried in sin who, by God’s life-giving call and life-giving Spirit, walked out of the tomb’s bondage. Those raised in newness of life as we were. Fellow believers, brothers and sisters, co-heirs with Christ in Christ. And the glory isn’t just in that they have new life, the glory is manifest in the sweet-smelling aroma of grace which envelopes all of us. For, though we may have shed the grave clothes, after how long we’ve been in the tomb of sin and the rot of the flesh, there is still an odor. Yet, if you believed you would see the glory of God.

Oh, to extend to those who the world would tell us are “on the other side” — whether the “winning” side or the “losing” side — but a measure of the abundant, over-flowing grace we’ve known. More than that, though; to see in “the other side” the glory of God. To see the glory of those who were once enemies of God now seeking to live for God — even if we don’t agree on how that exactly plays out when it comes to being salt and light in a democracy. To see the glory of those who were once strangers to the promises of God now reconciled and brought together as “fellow citizens” of the household of God (Eph. 2:12, 19) — even when their choices, to us, still seem kind of strange. To see the glory of fellow exiles. who once called this world their home, faithfully enduring as they sojourn towards a promised land yet to be fully realized. Simply, to see the glory of God in the saints we know, who live below.

And if we did, now, that’s a different story . . . a stark contrast to our culture’s tribal mentality. A light-shedding, life-giving contrast.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Speaking to Mountains

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Pete

I know I’ve read it before, quite a few times before. But this morning the passage stands out as it never has before.

Whole lot of prophesying going on in Ezekiel. And almost all of it is directed at people. But just “almost all.”

There’s prophecy directed towards a rebellious people and a wayward flock. There’s prophecy directed towards surrounding nations and the pride-driven, blood-shedding rulers over them. Prophecy towards shepherds who shirk their responsibility and priests who profit at the expense of those they were to represent. Even when there’s prophecy to “dry bones” (Ezek. 37) it’s still targeted at bones which again become people as they come alive with flesh and skin restored to them and life-giving breath breathed into them. So, like I said, prophecy is for people . . . mostly.

“And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD: . . . You, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezekiel 36:1-2a, 9-11 ESV)

Ezekiel, prophesy to the mountains of Israel.

Mountains, hear the word of the LORD . . . I am for you . . . I will turn to you . . . you will know that I am the LORD.

Okay, chew on that for bit. God’s speaking to mountains. What does that say about creation?

I know why this dropped so powerfully on my radar this morning. Yeah, the Holy Spirit. But the fuel for the Spirit’s fire is a class I’m part of that’s working its way through some systematic theology — and last week we talked a bit about “sister nature.”

Sister nature . . . not a term I think I’ve heard before our discussion last week. Sister nature . . . as opposed to “mother nature.” Sister nature . . . though not created by God in His image as we are, yet created by God, nevertheless. Sister nature . . . not over us to be worshiped or to rule, but akin to us in that she was spoken into being by God to make God known and to bring God glory (Rom. 1:19-20, Ps. 19:1-60). Akin to us in that while she may not have breathed into her the spirit of life, nevertheless, like us, she groans under current conditions and awaits the return of the Savior (Rom. 8:19-22).

Akin to us as a sister. Not over us as a mother. Thus, as was pointed out in the pre-reading for our class, while we “do not believe in ‘mother nature,’ . . . we do rejoice that we have a ‘sister nature,’ and we seek to protect and care for nature like we would a sibling, a fellow part of God’s creation” (Watkin, Christopher. Biblical Critical Theory (p. 105). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.).

God cares about His creation — all of it. He cares for mountains, that they too would fulfill His purposes and realize His promises. It’s why we should care about creation too. Not because nature is a “mother” over us or equal to us and thus commands and demands our care, but because she is a “sister” and needs our care.

And so, the LORD has a word for mountains. Who knew? He raises up a flesh and blood prophet to comfort and encourage what we think of as an inanimate object. Inanimate, and yet, somehow, in some manner not deaf as mountains too have some sort of ears to hear as they also await His coming.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. . . . that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

(Romans 8:19, 21 ESV)

Hmm . . . God speaks to mountains. Worth noodling on I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

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I Lay Down My Life

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Pete

Small reading in John’s gospel this morning, but a pretty big idea comes across. Only 11 verses, but one phrase repeated four times. Took just a few minutes to read, but from them given an eternity to respond.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” ~ Jesus

(John 10:14-18 ESV)

I’ve read these verses many times before. This morning the repetition echoed in a fresh and forceful manner. I felt like I was hit with the again and again peal of a massive church bell calling me to worship. I lay down My life . . . I lay down My life . . . I lay it down . . . I have authority to lay it down.

“Uh, Jesus? What did You do with Your life?”

“I laid it down. I laid it down for My sheep.”

Pause. Chew on it. Noodle on it. Meditate away. And then, let the awe and wonder build.

I love the LORD who is the “my shepherd” of Psalm 23. That He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. That He restores My soul and shows me the paths of righteousness. I love that even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I’ve no need to fear evil, for He is always with me and His rod and staff comfort me. So grateful that He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies and anoints me with the oil of His Spirit, so much so that my cup overflows.

I love that I rest in the reality that surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and that I can confidently look forward to dwelling in the house of the LORD forever. Yeah, I love the LORD “my shepherd.”

But without the Lord who is “the good shepherd,” there could be no “my shepherd.” He is the One who leads His sheep because He was first the One who would purpose to lay down His life for the sheep. Without the shepherd who gave Himself for His flock, the hope of a shepherd who would lead His flock would be just a pipe dream, a wish-I-may-I wish-I-might warm and fuzzy sentiment.

The LORD is my shepherd because He is the good shepherd, the One who laid down His life for the sheep. Laid it down willingly. Laid it down willfully. Willingly, because it was the Father’s determination. Laid it down willfully, because He had authority to do so. Laid it down sacrificially, so that sin’s bondage and death’s grip would be broken, and my ears would be open to hear His voice and, by faith-fueled following, be counted part of His one flock.

Hear Jesus whisper this morning, over and over again, “I lay down My life.”

And then bask afresh in the love of God, thanking Him for the cross and the One crucified on it.

And then . . . worship!

Because of such great grace. Only for His great glory.

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