First Things First

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Pete

Had a great conversation yesterday morning. Talked about Jesus’ exclusive claim that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). That, throughout God’s word, the way into the presence of God has always been an exclusive way. And that, far from being a different way than revealed to Moses and the prophets, Jesus is the embodiment of that exclusive, narrow path foretold and foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets,” says the Word who became flesh, “I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matt. 5:17). Everything revealed concerning how sinful men and women might come into communion with a holy God finds it’s ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Thus Paul could write, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2Cor. 1:20).

That conversation floating around in my head provided fertile soil for the seed that was planted this morning as I was reading in Ezra 3. Background: Cyrus king of Persia, his heart stirred by the Spirit of God, issues an edict. The proclamation is to those of the house of Israel who have been in captivity for the past 70 years since Judah was conquered, and Jerusalem was razed, by the Babylonians. Cyrus proclaims that for “everyone whose spirit God had stirred,” they were to be granted permission to return to Jerusalem, with the blessing and resources of the king of Persia, in order to rebuild the temple of God . . . in order to reestablish the house of the Lord (Ezra 1).

And as I’m reading this morning, the observation that captures my attention is what the people build first as they begin their restoration project.

When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.    (Ezra 3:1-2 ESV)

What’s the first thing they rebuild as they start to rebuild the place where the glory of God is to reside? The altar . . . the place of sacrifice. Why? Because the first thing they needed to do was to offer burnt offerings. They needed blood shed to atone for their sin. They needed to offer a substitute as payment for the wages they owed a holy God because of their transgressions. For these freed captives, the way into the presence of God . . . the means for inviting the presence of God among them . . . was first through an offering for sin. So, they built the altar. First things first.

And it hits me anew. That’s why Jesus’ claim is so exclusive. That’s why He is the only way. It’s not just because of His ideology (though He is the truth), but because He is the life. The wages of sin is death, but Jesus through His death on the cross paid the price in full. He was the once for all offering upon the altar that made open the way into the holy of holies and into the very presence of God.

Who else or what else has claimed to be the final offering to satisfy the wrath of a just and holy God? Who else has claimed their blood shed as the final atonement for our iniquity? Who else has shown themselves to be the eternal Son of God come as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world? Who else has been raised from the dead indicating God’s concurrence that truly He is the life and that surely “It is finished?”

Jesus is the fulfillment of first things first. The altar has always come before the access. The need for sacrifice always required before entrance into the sanctuary. The blood shed has always been required as the prerequisite for God’s blessing shown.

Jesus IS the way. To Him be all praise and adoration!

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

Posted in Ezra | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Little More Secure

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Pete

There’s much concern these days in the Country for our security. Terms like “domestic terrorism” and “radicalized” have become all too common. Despite our best efforts to be on guard, all too often, we’re hearing of incidents that remind us of how hard it is to protect ourselves from those determined to randomly harm us. Dwell on it too much and it can be kind of scary. Become overly focused on it and paranoia becomes just smart thinking. After all, who doesn’t want to be secure?

This morning I’m starting in on the book of Proverbs. Always a heightened anticipation when I start reading here. The book “sells itself” as a means to “know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity,” and “to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth” (1:2-4). I’m in! Always a little extra prayer when I’m reading Solomon’s book, “God, let this stuff stick as I read it and understand it.”

After all, who doesn’t want to be a little more knowledgeable . . . to be a little wiser . . . to have a greater understanding of how life works? I do! But as I’m reading the opening chapter this morning, what stands out is that by investing in this book . . . and allowing this book to infiltrate me . . . I’ll also be a little more secure.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “. . . behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you . . . whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”   (Proverbs 1:20-21, 23, 33 ESV)

Listen to me, says Wisdom, and you will dwell secure . . . you will live in safety (NIV) . . . you shall live securely (NASB) . . . you will live in peace (NLT) . . . you will dwell confidently (YLT) . . . you’re in good hands (MSG). It’s either an outlandish and reckless claim or, it is heaven sent truth.

The security alert level is orange for those who refuse Wisdom’s voice. The greatest degrees of risk are assumed by the simple you love being simple . . . and the scoffer who delights in scoffing . . . and the fool who hates divine knowledge (1:22). For those whose own might is right . . . and who think that their own thoughts are above that of the Creators . . . and who lean unto their own understanding and see no need to acknowledge Him in all their ways . . . for those, the warning lights are flashing and calamity is not a matter of “if” but of “when” (1:24-32).

But for those who heed the Voice, “they will dwell secure and will be at peace.” And while that Voice is that of personified Wisdom in Solomon’s book, on a grander scale it foreshadows the One whom God has made our wisdom, Jesus the Christ.

He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.     (1Corinthians 1:30 ESV)

Jesus, in a very real and present day sense, is the One crying aloud in the street . . . the One raising His voice in the markets. “Come to Me,” He cries, “all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Heed my voice, says Jesus, and I will pour out My Spirit upon you and make My words known to you. And in that divine knowledge, in those eternal truths, you will dwell secure and be at ease, without dread of disaster.

He cries out to the sinner and to the saint alike. The sinner because they are in need of a Savior. The saint because they are in need of a Shepherd . . . and they need to know His voice . . .and, despite all the craziness in the world around them, they need to lie down in the green pastures prepared for them. And as they rest beside the still waters of His ever-present, unfailing love and care, they can know what it is to be truly safe and secure.

Oh how I look forward to hearing Wisdom’s voice over the next two months of mornings as I hover over the book of Proverbs. Might it repeatedly direct my heart to the One God has made our wisdom, that I might hear His voice as well . . . and know afresh that, because of Him and in Him–even though this world seems out of control at times–I can be a little more secure.

Secure in Him by God’s grace . . . Secure because of Him for God’s glory.

Posted in Proverbs | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

No Remedy

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Pete

You’ve gotta think they just might be two of the most chilling words that could be spoken to someone or about someone . . . “No remedy.” No more healing . . . Incurable . . . Game, set, match!

I came across this simple two-word phrase as I wrapped up my readings in 2Chronicles. They are the final word as God closes the chapter on Judah and its kings. The nation is decimated by the Chaldeans. The murderous horde from Babylon descend upon Jerusalem without compassion for anyone. Young or old, male or female, they put the city to the sword and then desecrate and burn the temple. To add insult to injury they tear down the mighty walls of Jerusalem. The glory of God had departed . . . the enemy had advanced and conquered . . . the nation, as pictured by Zion, lay in ruin. And all because, writes the chronicler, there was no remedy.

[King Zedekiah] stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the LORD that He had made holy in Jerusalem. The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against His people, until there was no remedy.
 (2Chronicles 36:13b-16 ESV)

The hand of the LORD is not too short that it cannot save (Isa. 59:1). In fact, our God is mighty to save (Isa. 63:1). So it’s not like God was not able to fashion the right cure for His people. He had sent prophets to warn the people and to call them to repentance. Beyond that, less than 20 years earlier, he had raised up one last kid king, Josiah, to show the priests and people what revival could look like (2Chron. 34 & 35). Josiah again cleaned house in Judah of idolatry. He rediscovered and read aloud for all to hear the Word of God given through Moses. He modeled humility, contrition, and repentance. And, he lead the nation in observing again the Passover — a remembrance of God’s ability to deliver and the power of substitutionary blood to save — such that “no Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet” (2Chron. 35:18).

Healing had been offered. Health had been modeled. But for those who scoffed . . . for those who refused the message . . . for those who stiffened their necks and hardened their hearts . . . no remedy.

There’s coming a day when again there will be no remedy. When everyone who will respond has responded to God’s grace-infused offer of salvation through the perfect person of His Son and the finished work of the cross. When all that is left are those who mock the gospel message and blaspheme the holy God. And in that day, there too will be no remedy.

But today is not that day. For our God is exceedingly patient, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2Peter 3:9). Now is not the time to give up, retreat to a mountaintop and await the Lord’s return. But today, for many, is the day of salvation. That remnant still being gathered who, like Josiah, through the Spirit’s mysterious working, are drawn to seek the Lord . . . whose hearts, by grace, are made tender through faith . . . who, because of God’s word, humble themselves before heaven . . . who, by His power, seek to walk in obedience.

Today is not the day of no remedy. It is the day to lift high the name of Jesus and His power to save.

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

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged | Leave a comment

If Only On the Inside

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Pete

This morning I’m re-working some thoughts from 2012 after reading Psalm 149 . . .

I was saved into a pretty conservative, pretty low key, church system. While the praise was very heartfelt, it was also very bodily still. Voices were raised with gusto, but hands stayed by the side. And dancing? Well, dancing wasn’t even in the vocabulary.

I remember, years ago, one of my young daughters asking if we’d sign her up for dance lessons. My answer to her was something like, “Why? You can’t use that for the Lord.” Then we enrolled our girls in a Christian school . . . a school led by those of a different ecclesiastical practice than we were used to. The first school assembly of the year began with worship (that’s what we wanted from the Christian school) . . . and as part of that worship there were some “interpretive dancers” (that’s what we didn’t expect from the Christian school) . . . and my daughter returned home that day from school and said, “Dad . . . remember you said you couldn’t use dancing for the Lord? Wrong!!!” (that’s what I love about my girls).

Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre!   (Psalm 149:1-3 ESV)

Praise the LORD? I’m in! Sing out the new song He’s given me? Absolutely! Assemble with His saints . . . be glad in the Maker . . . rejoice in the King . . . make melody to Him with instruments of praise? You bet! . . . I’m there! Praise His name with dancing . . . uh, can I just tap my toe?

Praise His name with dancing. That’s what the inspired word of God says. It will say it again in Psalm 150.

Miriam did it in response to their deliverance from Egypt (Ex. 15:2). Jephthah’s daughter did it as thanksgiving for the victory her father had known in battle (Judges 11:34). David did it when the ark of God was brought home to Jerusalem (2Sam. 6:16). Jeremiah prophesied that when the LORD restored Israel He would also restore their joy and there would be dancing (Jer. 31:13). When the prodigal returned, the father threw a great feast and there was dancing (Luke 15:25). There is something about knowing the great salvation of God that should ignite great joy. And there’s something about great joy which, it would seem, should lead to dancing . . . if only on the inside.

Now dancing for me is still largely connected to the “old man” and the way I lived before knowing Christ. It wasn’t dancing for the LORD . . . it was dancing for other reasons . . . often dark reasons. So while I don’t think I’m being called this morning to embrace a ministry of dancing, there is something in hovering over this verse that speaks of times when the wonder of God should propel the people of God to be all in when it comes to offering up praise to God. That there are times when the soul’s desire to worship will result in the body’s need to move.

I get that there are times when worship is manifest in the “be still and know that I am God” mode. That sometimes, facedown praise evokes a holy hush before the God who is worthy of all manner of praise. But I also fear that sometimes our “be still” praise is more like a “play possum” praise. Lifeless. Unresponsive. I’m not saying that real praise is always dancing praise . . . but that in this possum approach to praise there’s nothing . . . no connection with the God of heaven . . . no response to our God in the midst . . . little rejoicing in the wonder of the fullness of our salvation.

Shouldn’t there be times when some manner of emotional expression is evident when “the godly exult in glory” (149:5) . . . and when the “high praises of God be in their throats” (149:6)? I’m thinkin’ . . .

I get that we’re not all going to be comfortable moving our feet or raising our hands, but shouldn’t we at least be dancing on the inside? And if we’re dancing on the inside won’t it manifest itself in some way on the outside? Faces turned heavenward . . . eyes smiling with love infused joy . . . countenances that shine for having been in the presence of God? Yes, and maybe even a bit of toe-tapping . . . leg shaking . . . wanna be dancing. How do we sing to the Lord a new song . . . how do we praise Him in the assembly of the godly . . . without some expression of joy?

When we come before the God who takes pleasure in His people . . . when we gather to sing together to Him adorns us with salvation . . . how can we not, at least sometimes, end up dancing . . . at least on the inside?

God is worthy of our praise. He delights in our exultation. He inhabits our worship. And He who adorns us with salvation takes pleasure in the sacrifice of the fruit of our lips. So how can we not sing? How can we not be glad and rejoice? And how can we not praise His name with dancing . . . if only on the inside.

All because of joy-filled grace . . . all for His ever deserving glory.

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A King on His Face

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Pete

There’s no substitute for leadership. And I’m not talking about the “do as I say” type of leadership but the “do as I do” type. You can teach . . . you can preach . . . you can provide the checklist to be followed, but if a leader doesn’t lead by following his own teaching . . . and heeding his own preaching . . . and getting the list done before asking others to, I’m thinking it’s kind of empty. And Hezekiah’s the kind of leader I’m talking about.

If 2Chronicles 29 doesn’t constitute bona fide revival I’m not sure what does. Hezekiah takes the throne when he is 25 years old. And in the first year of his reign he opens the doors to the house of the LORD. Under the reign of his predecessor, Ahaz, the LORD had been forsaken for the pursuit of the “abominations of the nations” (2Chron. 28:1-3). But Hezekiah was determined to direct his people back to the place where God had said he would dwell among those who sought Him. So Hezekiah opens the doors and cleans house . . . literally.

Hezekiah sends in the Levites to cart out the filth deposited in the Holy Place through neglect. He charges them to relight the lamps . . . to burn again the incense . . . to sacrifice again the offerings . . . so that a people who had “turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD” might again give God their faces and no longer their backs (29:1-11).

And if I’m reading it right, the Levites go to town and in only sixteen days have the temple ready for worship (29:17). And that was only the beginning. Sixteen days of holy momentum leading to all out revival. Ready . . . aim . . . seek the LORD!

But here’s what grabbed me this morning. After rising early, I think on the next day, king Hezekiah gathers the officials of the city and leads them to the house of the LORD. There the offerings for atonement are made ready. And the Levite musicians are stationed in place. And then Hezekiah commands that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the offering begins, the Levites start playing, and the singers start singing, and the whole assembly starts worshiping. And I mean the WHOLE assembly . . . the king included.

Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the LORD began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. (2Chronicles 29:27-29 ESV)

A king on his face. A king on his face before his people. A king on his knees in the presence of his subjects. A king who says not only, “Worship God,” but says through his actions, “Imitate me as I worship God.”

There’s no replacement for real leadership . . . leadership in the trenches . . . leadership in action . . . leadership which leads by example. True in general, true, I believe, in the church. And true in the home. How we need men and women of God who lead by example. Catalysts for revival among their people because God has first worked revival in their own hearts. Sign posts — because of how they live their lives — for their families, their small groups, and their churches . . . directing others to pursue the kingdom and to worship the King.

O that God would continue to raise up such leaders among His people. That God would form within each follower of Christ a heart for such leadership in their realm of influence.

All by His grace . . . all for His glory.

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Clouding the Spiritual Mind

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Pete

Another kid king. Takes the throne at 16 years of age . . . rules until he’s 68. But another king who starts well and ends not so well. Another king tripped up by his success. Another king bounced because of blessing. Another king to serve as a warning to me.

I read about King Uzziah this morning and I’m thinking of the Avenger character, Tony Stark. Not Tony Stark the Iron Man, but Tony Stark before Iron Man, Tony Stark the military weapons inventor. King Uzziah heads up an army of over 307,000 mighty men. And for every one of them he makes “shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging” (2Chron. 26:14). He fashions a fighting machine. Unstoppable. City walls can’t withstand them . . . enemy armies stand in awe of them.

Not only does he create a mighty offensive force, but he also innovates to ensure that Jerusalem’s defenses are unmatched. “In Jerusalem he made engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones” (26:15a). Sounds like this guy gathered the best minds and financed some serious research & development to ensure that Jerusalem’s ability to ward off enemy attack was unmatched. Uzziah became strong and the chronicler records, a couple of times, “his fame spread far” (26:8, 15).

But something else that’s recorded, subtly seeded for the careful eye to observe, is that this wasn’t solely because of who Uzziah was, but because of the God Uzziah served. “God made him prosper” (26:5) . . . “God helped him” (26:7) . . . “for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong” (26:15). Easy to miss this fact if you get too caught up in the innovation and domination under Uzziah’s reign. Easy for the reader to miss and, apparently, easy for Uzziah to miss, as well.

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.   (2Chronicles 26:16 ESV)

What was he thinking? “If I’m a big enough man to enter through enemy walls uninvited, then I’m a big enough man to enter the holy place though prohibited?” “If I’ve amassed the power and track record to parade myself before the nations around me, then I’ve got what it takes to elevate myself before the God who prospered me?”

Pride does funny things to the mind. Losing touch with the Source of all blessings puts you at risk of opposing the Sovereign over all creation. Forgetting that we have nothing that we did not receive primes the pump of boastful arrogance so that we take credit for that which is but God’s favor (1Cor. 4:7). And when we start taking the credit . . . and believing our own press clippings . . . then we run the risk of doing something really stupid like egotistically waltzing into the presence of God and rewriting His book on how things should be done. We start improvising with the incense . . . because we start thinking it’s about us and what we have accomplished in our own strength.

Pride clouds the spiritual mind. Pride reinvigorates the old man against the Spirit. And pride, says the ancient teacher of wisdom, “goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). When the seeds of pride are watered then comes disgrace (Prov. 11:2). The mighty King Uzziah finished his days quarantined in a stand alone house because of pride. The uncleanliness of his arrogant heart manifest physically as the LORD struck him with the physical uncleanliness of leprosy.

Another king . . . another warning.

O’ that I might not presume on the grace of God. That I might not claim His work as mine. That I might not own His blessing as my success. That I might not have my mind clouded with reality distorting pride.

All by His grace . . . all for His glory.

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged | Leave a comment

Voices

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Pete

A king’s reign, forty years, captured in about nine-hundred words. That’s what you have in 2Chronicles 24. The reign of King Joash summarized in but a few paragraphs. And as you read the account you can’t help but notice the peak to pit nature of Joash’s tenure over Judah. He was a kid king . . . placed on the throne at only seven years of age . . . clearly protected of God and called of God as part of God’s promise to David. He started well . . . really well. Under the first part of his rule he restored the house of the LORD. But he ended badly . . . really badly. Later in his reign he executed the high priest of the LORD. And the LORD cut short his reign because of it.

What a turnaround. You’ve got to ask yourself, “What causes such a turnaround?” In big part, I think, it was voices.

Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols.
(2Chronicles 24:17-18a ESV)

The death of Jehoiada was a turning point in the life and rule of King Joash. The chronicler records that “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest” (24:2). The high priest and his wife had been instrumental in protecting Joash from an uprising against the throne of Judah which saw the elimination of all other heirs. Jehoiada not only protected and reared the lad, not only was he used of God to establish Joash on the throne, but he was also a trusted advisor through much of Joash’s reign. But then he died . . . and then Joash crashed and burned as a godly leader. What a difference a godly counselor can make. How important the right voices.

After Jehoiada’s death, a new set of voices caught the ear of the king. Rulers of Judah who “paid homage”–is that a nice way of saying, “kissed up”–to the king. Flattery, apparently, got them everywhere. The young king so enamored with the praise that he lost track of the program. Instead of focusing on the house of the LORD, the king now served statues of stone. He abandoned the house of the LORD . . . and the LORD of the house. Ultimately leading him to order the execution of Jehoiada’s son, the high priest Zechariah, a man clothed with the Spirit of God but entirely disregarded by the king (24:20-22). And all because of the voices the king listened to.

And I think back on the role that counselors played in the lives of previous kings. Nathan a faithful voice to David . . . proclaiming the promises of God concerning David’s throne . . . faithfully rebuking David for his sin. Rehoboam lost half his kingdom because he listened to the wrong voices . . . disregarding the counsel of grey-haired wisdom and opting, instead, for the voices of youthful impetuosity. And there are others . . . kings whose reign was heavily impacted by the counsel they heeded . . . the legacy of their lives, in large part, determined by the voices they listened to.

True for them . . . and, I’m thinking, true for me. Whether it’s family, close friends, the media, the blogosphere, or the innumerable other sources of influence and advice, that which I choose to listen to . . . that which I surround myself with . . . will have a profound impact on how I live my life . . . and, quite frankly, how I live for God.

“Do not be deceived,” Paul writes to the Corinthians, “bad company ruins good morals” (1Cor. 15:32). Don’t kid ourselves . . . if we don’t surround ourselves with godly voices, we won’t be godly. If we are wooed by the world’s flattery of how great we are and what we deserve, then we’ll listen also to the world’s bad counsel about how we should live for ourselves. But if our closest advisors and mentors are those who seek the voice of God, then we’ll walk in a way that pursues the kingdom and brings delight to the King.

Voices. I’d do well, from time to time, to check those I’m listening to.

That I might continue to seek the way that is lived by the grace of God . . . so that I might continue to serve the way that, in the end, brings all glory to God.

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Pete

They are described as not just a horde, but as a “great horde.” Moabites, Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites. A great multitude of fighting men all gathered together for one purpose — to come in battle against Judah and their king, Jehoshaphat. The goal of this legion of aggression was to drive the people of God from the land promised them as an inheritance. Chances of the armies of Jehoshaphat being able to withstand this great enemy army? Nil. Situation? Desperate. Options? None.

So what do you do when you don’t know what to do?

Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand You. . . . O our God, will You not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.“    (2Chronicles 20:3-6, 12 ESV)

We don’t know what to do . . . but are eyes are on you. Our resources are insufficient . . . our best planning won’t cut it . . . even if we could put out 150% effort it wouldn’t be enough. So, O LORD, God of our fathers, we will set our eyes on You.

Maybe not too surprising that when all other avenues are exhausted the next logical step for the believer is to look heavenward. But this morning as I’m noodling on this I’m thinking, Why does it take a great horde for me to look up?

While it’s a great comfort to know that when all else fails we can pray, I’m thinking that maybe I rely too much on my strength and self-sufficiency way too often and miss too many opportunities to fix my eyes on the God of my salvation. That I underestimate the number of “great hordes” I encounter because I overestimate my flesh-bound capability. And thus, I fail to “lift up my eyes to the hills” . . . and I forget to ask, “From where does my help come?” . . . and I falter in remembering that “my help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).

I’m thinking that I need to heed Solomon’s advice and “not lean on my own understanding” (Prov. 3:5) and realize more often that I really don’t know what to do.

And what to do when you don’t know what to do. Turn Your eyes upon Jesus.

I need to look up . . . look way up. To do as Jehoshaphat did and set my face to seek the LORD with fasting. To be like the people of Judah who assembled and sought help from the LORD. To cast my eyes upon Him who is God in heaven. To know, not just in the desperate situations but in every situation, that He is the one who rules over all the kingdoms . . . and that power and might ARE in His hand . . . and that none is able to withstand Him.

If I didn’t know what to do more often then I’d be setting my mind on things above more consistently.

God, guard me against a spirit of self-sufficiency . . . that my eyes might be on You constantly.

That I might know Your ever present help in every time of need . . . and realize in all things Your all sufficient grace . . . all for Your everlasting glory.

Posted in 2Chronicles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Considered Worthy

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Pete

The church of the Thessalonians was a church birthed amidst opposition (Acts 17:1-9). And, apparently, the opposition didn’t stop when Paul left. Though the church planting phase might have been over with, the church enduring phase had just begun. In fact, Paul would boast of these believers as he visited other “churches of God,” telling of their “steadfastness and faith” in all their persecutions and in the afflictions that they were enduring.

Their faith was growing abundantly . . . their love for one another was evident increasingly . . . and, day in and day out, they dealt with pressures, trials, testings, and afflictions enduringly. And in that they endured, . . . in that they were able to hold up under the pressure, . . . in that they stood erect despite the oppressive weight on their shoulders . . . in that they were able to bear the continuing assault of their enemies, they were considered worthy.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering . . . (2Thessalonians 1:3-5 ESV)

Believing the message of the cross came with a cost for these believers. Receiving Christ as Savior was but asking neighbors to be enemies. Gathering with the saints was inviting the disdain and derision of the multitude. Holding fast to the Word of life was to go against the flow. But they did. Their faith not only sustained them, but it grew abundantly . . . as did their love for each other. And all this was proof . . . all of it evidence. Evidence that they were considered worthy of the kingdom of God.

Not that they were considered worthy because they were special . . . or that they merited God’s calling to faith. Not counted worthy because of who they were or what they were able to do. Not deemed worthy because they were tougher, mentally and physically, than others who might wilt under similar pressure. But their suffering, and ability to stand firm amidst it, was daily evidence of God’s calling upon them to represent the kingdom of God. God had considered them worthy.

They were suffering because God had determined to make them fit for the kingdom. They were enduring amidst the opposition because God had purposed to allow them to know the reality of the strengthening power of the Spirit who lived within them. They could keep on keepin’ on because of God’s intention to daily pour out, without measure, His all sustaining grace.

That they didn’t throw in the towel did not make them worthy of the kingdom . . . that they didn’t throw in the towel was evidence that God, in His sovereign purpose and steadfast love, had considered them worthy of the kingdom. Considered worthy not that they might boast, but considered worthy that, in the day when Christ returns, Christ would be exalted.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
 (2Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV)

Not many of us in this part of the world are called to endure for the faith what these brothers and sisters at Thessolonica endured — at least not yet. But there is not one of us who doesn’t know some trial, some testing, some affliction. And that we are able to stand fast amidst these is evidence that we have been considered worthy.

Considered worthy because of grace . . . considered worthy for His glory.

Posted in 2Thessalonians | Tagged | Leave a comment

Worth the Trip

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Pete

Sue and I are wrapping up a wonderful week at the Scott River Lodge. It’s been a great week of relaxation and refueling. Yesterday, along with the seven other couples we’re hanging with this week, we spent the day at the JH Ranch, the lodge’s sister property — a 300+ acre youth camp. Amazing facility. Our reason for going? Odyssey, the ranch’s ropes course.

To be honest, being forty feet off the ground walking on thin wires is not my idea of the ultimate getaway activity. But it was a great opportunity to overcome personal fears . . . to learn to depend on my wife in new way . . . and to learn to work with three other couples in order to “get ‘er done.” For about 90 minutes we worked our way through four different challenges, accomplishing the goal and, more importantly, learning something about ourselves, our relationships, and our God. To be honest again, as we sat around debriefing the experience afterward with all the couples there was a sense of satisfaction and blessing. Knowing how Odyssey ended made it worth the trip.

Something I read this morning in 1Thessalonians reminded me of the same thing. Knowing how this Christian walk ends, makes the journey worth the trip.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1Thessalonians 4:17-18 ESV)

Paul speaks of two groups of people. “Them” are the “dead in Christ” (v.16) . . . those “who are asleep” (v.13) . . . those who have already walked the walk and have crossed the valley of the shadow of death. The other group are us, “we who are alive.” Those who are currently walking the walk . . . those currently on the ropes course and doing Odyssey together . . . facing the challenges . . . learning about ourselves and how to depend on others and upon our God. And what is true of both groups, “them” and “we who are alive,” is that “we will always be with the Lord.”

A day is coming, perhaps today, when “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God” (v.16). The dead in Christ will rise and then those who remain will be caught up in the air. Regardless of the transport, resurrected body or airborne body, what will be true is that evermore we will be with Jesus. That’s the finish line for this earthbound segment of our lives. That’s how this phase of life ends . . . with the Lord always.

Sometimes I can get so focused on accomplishing the task. Of just making it across the current challenge. Of making sure my feet don’t slip . . . that I don’t let go of my wife . . . that I don’t fail the group . . . and, in so doing, lose sight of the solid ground that awaits us all. So often it’s about focusing on my fears rather than believing that “tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home” . . . and that I am, in fact, on my way home . . . that unimaginable place Jesus is, even now, preparing for me (John 14:2-3).

Running a race with no end in sight is a treadmill. Lot of output with no progress. But when, by God’s grace, He allows something — like a ropes course experienced in the context of His word — to remind you that every step is part of a journey which culminates in forever being with the Lord, then you know it’s worth the trip.

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Not home yet. But getting there.

By God’s grace . . . for God’s glory.

Posted in 1Thessalonians | Tagged , | Leave a comment