Receiving A Kingdom

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Pete

As they neared Jerusalem, His disciples thought the kingdom of God was “to appear immediately.” And so, Jesus told them a story about a noblemen who went away to receive a kingdom (Luke 19:11-12). It was so far from what they were anticipating. After three years of walking with Jesus they sensed that something big was about to happen as they drew near to the city of the throne of David. They thought Jesus was coming into His own. Instead, He tried to tell them, He would soon leave.

Jesus had already told them that everything written of Him, the Son of Man, by the prophets would be accomplished. He would be delivered over to the Gentiles and would be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging Him, they would kill Him, and on the third day He would rise (Luke 18:31-33). But they didn’t get it. And so, nowhere on their radar was an expectation that, even after rising from the dead, instead of ascending the throne in Jerusalem, He would be lifted up out of their sight into the clouds with the promise that one day He would return (Acts 1:9-11). His disciples thought they were going to Jerusalem to inherit a kingdom. Instead, according to His story, Jesus was going away to receive a kingdom.

And that reading, this morning, set up my reading in Titus.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.    (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)

The grace of God HAS appeared. The glory of our great God, as manifest in and through the Savior Jesus Christ, WILL appear. And for now, in this present age, He is receiving a kingdom.

Having brought salvation by His first appearing through the finished work of the cross, He is now gathering to Himself His subjects, “purifying for Himself a people.” This period between His first appearing and His promised appearing is all about kingdom work. The kingdom of God is now being established in the hearts of believers. The kingdom of God is now being manifest through those who “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions” and, instead, live godly lives in anticipation of the glory of a future day.

According to Jesus’ story in Luke 19, they are those who take the talents and treasures given them by the departed King and labor faithfully and diligently so that there might be a return on the King’s investment when He returns. Titus calls them the King’s “own possession who are zealous for good works.” I call them sinners saved by grace who have their minds and hearts set on things above. And through them . . . that is, through us . . . Jesus is receiving a kingdom.

In Jesus story, the nobleman returned. In Paul’s letter to Titus, the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear. And in this present age, we are to “Engage in business” until He comes (Luke 19:13).  And we to wait for the blessed hope of His glorious appearing. Even so, Lord Jesus come.

Waiting in anticipation because of grace . . . engaging in kingdom business for His glory.

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Honoring the Maker

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Pete

This past Sunday, a number of our students reported out on their experiences on a recent missions trip. In past years the annual missions trip has targeted international destinations . . . most commonly Mexico. But this year God led our youth to “stay at home” in order to experience a different culture. Home as in within the United States. Different culture as in the inner city of Chicago. For a week our kids teamed with Sunshine Ministries, through their Bridge Builders program, in practical acts of service, in targeted education, and, if I’m making the connection correctly between their report out and my reading this morning, in honoring the Maker.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him.    (Proverbs 14:31)

Something some of our students said on Sunday resonated as I was reading in the Proverbs this morning. In essence they said that, through their experience in Chicago, they learned to see the homeless as those made in the image of God.

One day they were broken up into small teams, were told to each pack themselves a lunch as well as pack an extra lunch. Their task? Offer to have lunch with a street person and engage them in a conversation. For some of our kids this turned out to be a pretty powerful experience. From meeting Bonnie, who was on the streets because her cancer treatments had left her broke, to meeting a guy who had been on the street for years and had never had anybody seek to talk to him, our kids got down (literally) and engaged those made in the image of God. They stepped out of their comfort zones, where challenged to not just look over or around these folks on the streets, and, in so doing, looked into the eyes of image-bearers.

Solomon says that in oppressing the poor, a man insults his Maker. I’m guessing there’s application here as well to disregarding the poor . . . or ignoring the weak and lowly . . . or in automatically devising an “it’s their own fault” scenario concerning the homeless. And why would it be a reproach? Because all men and women are created in the image of God. All bear His likeness.

Conversely, so says wisdom, those who are generous to the needy honor God. Those who show favor . . . those who are gracious to image-bearers in need . . . glorify their Creator.

And it has me thinking. Shouldn’t those who have known abundant grace be generous in showing grace in return? Shouldn’t those who have been freely given treasure in heaven, though they were once poor in trespass and sin, be generous in sharing of whatever earthly riches they have? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Those born of God desire to honor God. How can we do that? Well, one way is to be generous to the needy. And I don’t need to travel to Chicago to do that.

Honoring the Maker. Freely giving because we have freely received. Being generous because we have known abundant favor.

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

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The Prudent

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Pete

Prudent. It’s not a word I use very often or hear used in “normal conversation” a lot. It even has a bit of an old fashioned ring to it. Prudent.

But this morning, reading in the Proverbs, three times in the first half of chapter 14, I encountered wisdom concerning the prudent. Caught my attention. And has me thinking.

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
(Proverbs 14:8, 15, 18 ESV)

Interesting word for prudent. First time we find it in Scripture is pretty close to the beginning, Genesis 3. And there the word is translated “crafty” or “cunning” as in, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made” (Gen. 3:1). Talk about keeping your bad company. With the serpent it’s being crafty, but with the wise it is being prudent.

At it’s core, the idea is that of being shrewd . . . of giving careful thought . . . of recognizing and navigating nuance. Seems to me it is the opposite of being a bull in a china shop . . . the antithesis of fools rushing in . . . the safeguard against “ready, fire, aim.” At it’s worst, it is being sly and subtle. At it’s best it is being thoughtful and sensible.

The prudent discern their way. They give thought to their steps. And they are encircled with understanding, having great skill in applying knowledge. They are mindful of where they are going . . . they are careful as to how they get there . . . they are wisely assessing and evaluating all that presents itself as being helpful towards reaching their destination.

Thus, while the serpent cunningly and slyly nuanced Eve and Adam to think their way around God, the people of wisdom prudently, sensibly, and carefully give thought to how they live life. Perhaps in this lies some of the reason why Jesus, when he sent out his disciples, exhorted them to “be wise as serpents” (Matt. 10:15). Fight fire with fire. Combat craftiness with prudence.

At the other end of the continuum from prudence, it seems to me, is recklessness. Opposed to giving careful thought is acting on whatever feels good. And, if ultimately we are going up against the serpent who has mastered cunning and craftiness, then to ignore prudence is to place ourselves in grave danger.

Instead, we battle the serpent’s deceitful subtleness with Spirit infused godly thoughtfulness. We have been given the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16)f . . . we have been promised a resident Helper who will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) . . . and we have been given “the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2Tim. 3:15). All that we need we have been abundantly provided that we might be “the prudent” . . . that we might discern our ways, give thought to our steps, and be encircled with divine understanding.

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

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His Appearing

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Pete

He had fought the good fight . . . he had finished the race . . . he had kept the faith. His earthly life was soon to be over, but even this he viewed as but “being poured out as a drink offering.” Offering his body as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1) wasn’t just some eloquent oratory penned to inspire others to live for God, it’s how Paul did life. If Jesus had been the lamb offered upon the altar for the sin of the world (John 1:29), then Paul viewed his life as but the accompanying drink offering . . . vaporized over the sacrifice-accepting flames as a pleasing aroma to His King (Number 15:7).

But before his departure, Paul had a final charge for his son in the faith, Timothy. And what captures me this morning is what drives the passion behind this final and urgent exhortation. Two words. Two words that bookend Paul’s charge. Two words that provided the motivation for following in the footsteps of “the foremost of sinners” (1Tim. 1:15). Two words that can fuel a holy determination to fight the good fight, run the good race, and keep the good faith. Those two words?

His appearing.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. . . . Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.     (2Timothy 4:1-2, 8 ESV)

“What a friend we have in Jesus.” True. Love the hymn. In awe that we have been brought into such intimate relationship with Him who created all things and holds all things together. He is the friend of sinners.  But what a powerful friend.

It is Jesus who will judge the living and the dead. Jesus who will bring in His kingdom. Jesus, the righteous arbiter, who will assess and reward the work of His people.

When? At His appearing.

He came once. The Scriptures prophesied of it . . . history attests to it. He’s coming again. He said He would and He will.

And this morning I’m reminded that I am to live in the shadow of the surety of His imminent return. Perhaps today! But if not, the charge is clear.

In light of His appearing . . . in preparation for the kingdom . . . because He is laying up crowns of righteousness for all who love His appearing and live in light of His appearing . . . followers of Jesus are to discharge the ministry He has given them. Timothy’s ministry was to preach the word and do the work of an evangelist (4:2, 5). Ours may be different. Each of us has been called . . . not only to salvation and the inheritance of heaven, but to service and the work of the kingdom.

And the great motivator for figuring out our ministry and doing it? His appearing.

Love His appearing, O you saints. Live in light of His coming. By His grace, seek first the kingdom of God. Because of grace, anticipate the crown.

To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.    (2Timothy 4:18b ESV)

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Stewards of Blessing . . . Delighting Our God . . . Guiding Our Neighbor

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Pete

Not gonna lie . . . it feels like forever since I sat at this keyboard trying to corral some thoughts from my morning readings. Last week was spent with church family on our annual camping trip. While the morning’s afforded time to open the Word and read, it was hard to find time to open the laptop and type as we gathered around the coffee pot early and didn’t really break ranks until it was time to go to bed. Not so good for journaling . . . great for recharging the batteries. There really is something to friends sharpening friends as iron (Prov. 27:17).

But this morning I’m back in the saddle and three portions of Scripture from my readings are rolling around in my head . . .

And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in Your great goodness. Nevertheless, they were disobedient . . .   (Nehemiah 9:25-26a ESV)

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight.   (Proverbs 12:22b ESV)

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.    (Proverbs 12:26 ESV)

In Nehemiah there’s revival happening. The walls are built, the Word is being read and taught, and the people are turning their hearts back to the God of their calling. And in the midst of this time of refreshing, Nehemiah chronicles the history of Israel from Abraham through their captivity and return to the land. Nehemiah 9 is a great summary of the wonder and workings of God on their behalf. Also a no holds barred confession of the propensity for God’s people to receive God’s blessings and yet turn their face from pursuing God’s ways.

Because of promise, and through grace, they were in cities they did not build . . . had moved into houses already furnished with goods they did not purchase . . . were drinking water from wells they did not dig . . . and were enjoying fruit from fields, vineyards, and orchards they did not plant. And so they feasted on His abundant provision . . . delighted in His overflowing goodness . . . and became fat. So enamored with the good life God had provided that they over-indulged and became self-serving. Feasting on the goodness of God while forsaking faithfulness to God. Cue the Proverbs . . .

Someday I need to make a list of what delights God. That anything in all of creation should delight the Creator is, of itself, a little mind blowing. But this morning, Solomon declares that one of those things that brings pleasure to the eternal God of the universe are “those who act faithfully.” Those who are firm and steadfast. Those who receive the overflowing grace afforded them by a promise keeping, abundantly blessing God, as a stewardship to be managed rather than as windfall to be gorged upon. Those for whom the blessings of God, rather than being presumed upon and loosely exploited before a lost world, are counted as that which are to be enjoyed for God’s glory. Those for whom the freedom of living in a new land leads not to license and loose living, but who see the abundant possessions of being in Christ as something to be carefully enjoyed in a way that points others to the Giver of all good gifts. Cue the next Proverb . . .

Everyone is a “guide to his neighbor.” No one lives to themselves. All of life is a declaration of purpose and priority. And we either lead others toward righteousness and the things of the kingdom. . . or we lead them away from God’s purpose for those created in His image. And the righteous–those declared righteous through the finished work of the cross and the shed blood of the Savior . . . those being made righteous through the sanctifying work of the Spirit within them–are to be signposts always pointing others to a greater context for living life. Those leveraging the blessings in a way that directs others to the Blessor.

O that God’s people would beware of becoming fat on God’s blessings and carelessly turning their back on God’s ways. That we would, instead, be God’s delight as we live all of life as faithful stewards of the life, and the born-again life, that He has so graciously given. That we might, in all that we do, be a guide to our neighbors, our family, our friends, our co-workers . . . pointing the way to the Redeemer of all men and to the King for all eternity.

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

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A Hard Sell ( a 2011 “rerun”)

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Pete

So this morning I’m re-posting some thoughts from 2011 concerning Proverbs 8. Last night I was on a “mission of mercy” run with a buddy and we didn’t get me home until the wee hours of the morning. Doing well to get my readings in this a.m. . . . but not enough time (or brain power) to put together some thoughts.

Also, this weekend Sue and I will be heading out on our annual camping trip with our church family. The “cost” of connecting in such a fabulous way with the saints is that I am disconnecting from the Internet . . . off the grid. Still will be reading each morning . . . still noodling . . . even still writing . . . but probably not posting.

Hope today’s thoughts are of some encouragement . . .

———————————————————————————————–

It may just be one of the most compelling chapters in all of Scripture. It is a call . . . it is a plea . . . it is a glorious proclamation . . . it is a sacred promise . . . it is, as the heading in my Bible says, “The Blessings of Wisdom.” You read Proverbs 8 and you can’t help but sense the urgency and the passion around wisdom’s call to men to pursue her and embrace her. It, quite simply, is a hard sell.

The Spirit’s creativity in moving Solomon to personify wisdom as a woman who calls out to the simple to heed her words and embrace her ways is very engaging. It takes wisdom from some abstract concept to an appealing person. Sometimes I find myself reading these first chapters of Proverbs and “hearing” Christ as the voice of wisdom . . . fits most times . . . I’m guessing that’s intended. But back to the hard sell . . .

“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: ‘To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; . . . for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her . . . I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me . . . For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death. (Proverbs 8:1-7, 11, 17, 35-36 ESV)

That God values wisdom should be evident. That He desires that His people master “skillful living” should be clear. That He would that all saints should possess, in increasing measure, understanding and insight, jumps off the pages of this portion of Scripture. Solomon thrilled God when he, as a young man about to take the throne of Israel, asked for wisdom (2Chron. 1:7-12, 1Kings 3:10). And through these writings of Solomon, God uses wisdom’s voice to make His plea to me . . . that I would aspire, in some measure, to be like David’s son.

Oh that God’s Spirit would stir within God’s people a love for wisdom. That we would take advantage of her accessibility given us through the indwelling Spirit and the imparted mind of Christ. That we would pursue her as treasure, seeking her in the inspired, infallible pages of Holy Scriptures. That we would find her and that she would invade us. That we would embark on such a journey believing her promise that “those who seek me diligently find me.”

Within this “hard sell” is the pursuit of knowing Christ . . . of being conformed into the image of Christ . . . of walking as Jesus walked. And the reward truly is “better than jewels.” As we live as children of godly insight we walk in the fullness of the potential of the “new creation” we have become in Christ. As we head out into our days with increasing measure of heavenly understanding, we actively become the salt we’ve been called to be to a decaying world . . . we shine, by His grace, as lights in a dark world. I can’t help but think it all hangs on wisdom’s invasion of our hearts and minds.

And wisdom is not dependent on my IQ . . . rather on my SQ (spiritual quotient) . . . and that has been freely given to me in Christ . . . “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature” (2Peter 1:3-4). The treasures of insight, understanding, and wisdom are mine for the accessing . . . through the Word. They are mine for the possessing . . . implanted by the Spirit . . .

Hear her cry afresh this morning! Whoever finds her, finds life — and life to the full . . . whoever pursues her, obtains favor from the Lord. And, as I think about it, that’s, really, is not too hard a sell.

For my blessing . . . for His glory . . . welcome wisdom!

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Rejoicing from the Throne

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Pete

Honestly, it’s been a game changer. One word, rendered differently in the ESV than the other translations, has opened my understanding to a passage which for years I thought I had understood. One word has shifted my focus . . . one word has opened up my imagination . . . one word has swung the awe-o-meter hard right.

How many times have I said something like, “The angels rejoice over a sinner who is saved?” More than a few. And my biblical basis for such a statement was found in part of a passage I read this morning.

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  ~ Jesus     (Luke 15:8-10 ESV)

Now in all the other major translations that last sentence is translated along the lines of, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” That, at least for me for years, had me thinking that among the angels themselves there was great rejoicing over one soul saved. Might be true . . . don’t know that it wouldn’t be.

But what difference does it make when the original word is translated “before” rather than “in the presence?” A lot! Now the focus isn’t so much on what’s happening among the angels but on what’s happening before the angels. Or, more importantly, who is showing great joy before the angels.

Couple that with the rejoicing in heaven being “just so” or in “the same manner” as the woman in the parable calling her friends and asking them to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. It’s the woman who has been searching . . . who has been patiently doing everything she can to return the coin to its right place . . . who overflows with joy when the coin is found and thus invites her friends to join her. Before her friends, the woman is rejoicing. Likewise, in heaven it is the Finder who rejoices BEFORE the angels. The angels are the “friends” in the story. But it is the Finder . . . aka the Father, who is over the top because a lost one has been found.

So it’s not just rejoicing AMONG the angels but it is the angels beholding the joy exuding from the One BEFORE them.

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God . . .     (Revelation 7:11 ESV)

If the angels are BEFORE the throne in heaven, then the throne of God is BEFORE the angels. And if there is great rejoicing before the angels over someone born of the Spirit, then that great gladness is coming from the throne of Almighty God. The rejoicing before the angels is rejoicing from the throne.

What a difference a word can make . . . at least for me. My focus shifts from the angels in heaven to the One before the angels. Whatever amazement I have at the thought of angels experiencing joy is multiplied as I wonder at a God who so rejoices over a lost coin who is found . . . over a lost sheep who is returned to the fold . . . over a prodigal son who seeks again his father’s face and favor.

How my God delights in children being added to His forever family. And that my God would so rejoice . . . such that the angels are invited to sing with Him . . . evokes awe, wonder, and worship.

O what a Savior!

To Him be all glory . . . now and evermore . . . amen!

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The Life to Come

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Pete

I’m pretty bad at remembering the specifics of books I read a number of years ago. To be honest, I’m not that great at remembering the details of what was said in a book I read last month . . . but that’s another post. Anyway, while I’m not that good with the details, I seem to be able to grasp “big ideas” and a number of books I’ve read over the years have left lasting impressions which have shaped my thinking and have impacted how I live my life. One of those came to mind this morning, The Slumber of Christianity by Ted Dekker.

As I recall it, Dekker’s big idea was that so many of us believers are snoozing at the wheel when it comes to pursuing the kingdom of heaven and living life to the full here on the earth because we have so distanced ourselves from the hope that is ours on that day when we’ll see Jesus. We have come to believe that heaven is so unimaginable and that our hope is so far away that there is no link between this life and the next. Instead, Dekker suggests, there is much that we experience here on earth that is but a foretaste of what it will be like in the day of the new earth. That pleasures we know here are but the tip of the iceberg of the joy that will be there. That with our eyes wide open, much of everyday life can be a realtime reminder of the inheritance that awaits us. And when we have that awareness, then we stop snoozin’ and start cruisin’ . . . and really begin living.

Paul would also seem to suggest that having our eyes open to the life that is to come will influence how we live the life that is now.

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.   (1Timothy 4:7-10 ESV)

It’s those four words in the middle of that passage, “the life to come,” that grabbed my attention this morning. Those four words that got the wheels spinning. Those four words that seem to say, “Shame on you for not living everyday with eternity in view.”

How I need to remember that there is the life to come. How I need to plan for this day in light of the life to come. How I need to experience this day by being alive to everything in it that can speak to me of the life to come. How I need to guard against so distancing this day from the day of Christ that I fail to invest in my future by training myself for godliness . . . something that holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

Jesus said that He came that those who hear the Shepherd’s voice and, by faith, enter the gate He has provided, might have life . . . “and have it abundantly” (John 10:9-10). Abundantly . . . as in “to the full” (NIV) . . . as in “rich and satisfying” (NLT) . . . as in “better than they every dreamed of” (MSG) . . . as in exceedingly, supremely, extraordinarily. And that’s not just life that’s pie in the sky in the sweet by and by. That is eternal life that begins at the moment we are saved . . . at the instant we are regenerated, . . . when our sins are forgiven and washed away . . . and the Spirit is given as a seal to guarantee our inheritance . . . and we are robed in Christ’s righteousness . . and we become new creations in Him.  That’s abundant life that we are to be living now because we do is in light of then.

And so we do life not only in the context of the here and now but also with an eye on the there and then. Every sanctified pleasure we experience is not only the fruit of the present life, but is also a foretaste of the joy that is to be ours in the life after life. Every evidence of God’s hand operating in and around us today ignites our passion to prepare for that tomorrow when faith gives way to sight.

That by God’s grace His people might live, more and more, for the life to come. That for God’s glory, we might not be snoozin’ but be cruisin’ because of the hope set before us.

Amen?

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Pondering the Path – Part II

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Pete

Yesterday, after reading in Proverbs 4, I wrote a bit on how important it is to keep our eyes focused on where our feet are stepping and where we want them to go. Even if we are to heed wisdom’s call to pursue her, there will be ample opportunity to get distracted and detoured by the alluring call of sin. Thus, says Solomon, we need to “ponder the path” of our feet (4:25). This morning, in Proverbs 5, I read of Someone else who ponders the same thing.

Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a mans ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths.    (Proverbs 5:20-21 ESV)

The story goes that when the Alaska Canada highway was built back in the 1960s, before it was fully paved as it is now, at a junction on the highway there was a sign which read “Choose your rut carefully, you will be in it for the next 200 miles.” If I’m understanding my Bible helps correctly, that’s kind of the idea of the “paths” that are being talked about in Proverbs. The word literally means, “entrenchment.” The idea is that of track that you get locked into.

Thus, says Proverbs, we need to be careful about being drawn into paths, or entrenchments, of wickedness. In Proverbs 5, the “follow me” sign into the ruts of evil are pictured as “the lips of a forbidden woman” dripping with honey and her sultry speech, “smoother than oil” (5:3). “Keep away from her,” says Wisdom, “do not go near the door of her house” (5:8). Choose your rut carefully, you’ll be in it for a long time.

And so, in yesterday’s reading, the exhortation was to “ponder the path of your feet.” This morning I’m reminded that I’m not the only one watching my feet . . . that I’m not the only one who is focused on the ruts I choose.

For a mans ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths. (Proverbs 5:21 ESV)

God ponders my paths too. The roads I choose are laid bare before the God of heaven. He’s aware of every step I take. The ruts I’m in are not hidden from the eyes of the LORD. In fact, writes David, the LORD searches out my path . . . knows when I sit down and when I rise up . . . discerns my thoughts from afar . . . is acquainted with all my ways (Ps. 139:2-3). And if this true, and I believe it is, the fact that God ponders all my paths is motivation for me to ponder them too.

Motivation 1 . . . the fear of the LORD. It’s the fear that darkness has of light. The fear that comes from being exposed and naked. The fear that causes us to hide and to seek to find some way to cover ourselves because the rut of our sinfulness cannot bear the scrutiny of His holy presence.

But perhaps greater than Motivation 1, is Motivation 2 . . . not wanting to be found entrenched in a path which shames the Name of the One who saved me. Having been redeemed with the precious blood of the Son of God, not wanting to pursue any road which communicates a lack of gratitude for my redemption. Having been rescued from slavery to sin, not wanting the tracks I settle in to indicate that I am anyone, or anything else’s servant, other than the servant of the Lord Jesus.

Knowing that He ponders my path spurs me on, by the goodness of His abundant grace and the power of His Holy Spirit, to want to walk in a manner worthy of my calling.

That by God’s grace I might pick the ruts of righteousness . . . that I might choose the tracks that lead to heavenly treasure . . . that I might be entrenched in the eternal pursuit of the kingdom.

He ponders my paths. To Him be all glory.

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Ponder the Path of Your Feet

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Pete

A couple of weeks ago, Sue and I and three other couples hung out together. Kind of literally. We were grouped together, told to climb a cargo net to a platform 40 feet off the ground, double lobster clamp ourselves to a safety wire, and to work our way across thin wires using only each other. Sometimes just men and wives relying on each other. Other times working our way across as a group of 8. While the different challenges required different reliance techniques, there was one thing that all had in common . . . keep your eyes on the wire . . . stay focused on where you needed to place your feet. Or, as my reading in Proverbs reminded me this morning, “ponder the path of your feet.”

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.    (Proverbs 4:25-26 ESV)

“Let your heart hold fast my words . . . get wisdom . . . get insight . . . do not forsake her . . . love her . . . prize her highly . . . embrace her” (4:4-8). That’s how the father impresses upon his son the importance and value of seeking wisdom. The charge is clear . . . be in determined pursuit of wisdom. The promises of such pursuit are also clear, “She will keep you . . . she will guard you . . . she will exalt you . . . she will honor you . . . she will place on your head a graceful garland, she will bestow on you a beautiful crown” (4:4-8).

But what is also evident from this fervent exhortation is that, with the pursuit of wisdom and despite know the blessing of wisdom, there will come opportunity and temptation to “enter the path of the wicked” and to “walk in the way of the evil” (4:14). To start on the path of pursuing wisdom doesn’t guarantee staying on the path. And so, says Solomon, “ponder the path of your feet.”

How easy it is take our eyes off the finish line. To take for granted that because we once were pointed in the right direction we can coast our way to the prize. To not read our Bibles as much because we know them pretty well. To stop thinking critically because we assume we have a heavenly mindset. To get drawn into the word’s riptide current which, at first, gently carries us along until we realize we are enveloped in a way of thinking or a way of life that, without escape, will eventually drown us. How we need to ponder the path of our feet.

Using King James language, Paul says we are to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” (Eph. 5:15). To walk like a cat on a fence top, carefully placing each paw in front of the other, giving great attention to each step so as not to fall off the fence. Or, like people on a high ropes course who, while having a lot of decisions to make and needing to test out different techniques for advancing, need to never take their eyes off where their feet are at or the steps they need to take to reach the next platform.

When I read Proverbs, I often find myself interchanging the personification of wisdom with Jesus. So, I need to “get Jesus” . . . to love Jesus . . . to prize Jesus highly . . . to embrace Jesus. And I do so believing that there is a promise realized with the pursuit. That Jesus will keep me . . . that Jesus will guard me . . . that Jesus will, one day, exalt me and honor me for His glory . . . and that on that day, when by grace I hear, “Well done good and faithful servant,” Jesus will place upon my head a graceful garland and a beautiful crown — the likes of which I will lay back down at His feet as the only One worthy of all such crowns.

And if Jesus is wisdom . . . and wisdom is Jesus . . . and I can be prone to wander . . . then I would do well, by His grace, to ponder the path of my feet . . . every day . . . and in every decision. I would do well to cry out to the Spirit who lives in me to help me keep my eyes looking directly forward, and my gaze focused straight before me . . . all in the anticipation of one day seeing my Savior face to face.

Pursing Wisdom . . . walking circumspectly . . . all because of grace . . . and all for God’s glory.

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