A Chuppah

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Pete

Sometimes I feel like reading through Isaiah is like trying to follow what’s happening on a television controlled by somebody who’s engaged in extreme channel surfing with a remote. In one passage the prophet’s words seem to deal with immediate events and in the next passage with future events. You’re “watching one channel” and tracking with prophecies that have already been fulfilled and then, bam, the remote is clicked and you’re pretty sure you are reading about something that is yet to occur. For me at least, it can be a bit mind-boggling. But as I read Isaiah 4 I’m pretty sure I’m on the “future channel.” And I read of something there that I can relate to here and now. A chuppah.

In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.    (Isaiah 4:2-6 ESV)

In the midst of the Israel’s current sin and imminent judgment, the prophet “fast forwards” and sees a day when Messiah, the promised Branch beautiful and glorious, shall rule over the people of a future Jerusalem. Those ordained of God to occupy the city will be called holy, their filth washed away and the bloodstains of their rebellion cleansed. And the glory of God, through the Branch, will be restored–the cloud by day and fire by night–just as it had been known by Moses and those delivered from slavery (Ex. 13:21-22). And over that glory, the glory of a people taken as His own, “there will be a canopy” . . . there will be a chuppah.

I’ve become kind of familiar with the chuppah (pronounced either hoo-paw or khoo-paw) over the past few months. Literally the Hebrew word chuppah means canopy or covering. And in a couple of weeks, Lord willing, my daughter and her fiance will be married under a chuppah in honor his Jewish heritage and tradition. What’s more, according to the word of God’s prophet, in a future time God’s people on God’s holy hill will be under the chuppah of God’s divine protection and leading. There because God has called them, because God has cleansed them, and because God has determined to make His glory shine upon them. And, as such, I can kind of relate, in the here and now, to being under a chuppah.

I was called by grace to respond through faith to the good news that Jesus, God’s blessed Son and promised Messiah, died to redeem my soul. The filth of my sin having been washed away through the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross as payment for my rebellion against God. The guilt of my transgressions, the blood on my hands, having been removed because the price was paid by Another. And in that, I am counted, along with all who believe, among the people of God . . . the Body of believers . . . the Bride of Christ. A Bride over whose redeemed glory there is a canopy, a chuppah.

Covered with a robe of righteousness, the righteousness of the Bridegroom, the Son of God Himself. Protected with the canopy of His Spirit who indwells me and seals me until the day the Bridegroom receives His Bride. Knowing the over-shadowing presence of God, day and night, as I abide under the glory of His promises and protection.

Praise God that “over all the glory there will be a canopy” . . . that there will be a chuppah.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness . . .   (Isaiah 61:10a ESV)

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

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He Sat Down

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Pete

Started in on two new books this morning in my reading plan, Isaiah and Hebrews. And while I’m looking forward to working through the prophecy of Isaiah, I’m pretty sure it will pale in comparison against the grand subject of Hebrews, for “long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son” (Heb. 1:1). His Son. To be sure He will be spoken of and foreshadowed within the prophet’s oracle, but in the letter to the Hebrews He is exalted front and center. Right off the bat He is introduced with a bio that is jaw dropping. And as I again meditate on who He is and what He’s done what moves my soul is when He sat down.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.    (Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV)

Who Christ is, though beyond human comprehension, is clearly stated. He is God’s Son. He is the One appointed to be heir of all things, “it will all belong to the Son at the end” (MSG). He is the radiance, the reflected brightness, the shining forth, the “out-raying” of God’s glory. Want to see the glory of God? Look upon Jesus. He is also the exact imprint of the nature of God.  The express image, an exact representation, of the substance and reality of God. Want to know how God thinks, how God feels, how God will react? Get to know the mind, the heart, and the responses of Jesus. Watch His every move, as it were, as recorded in Scriptures and then you will glean insight as to the nature of God. That’s who my Lord is.

But then you read of what He has done and it crushes the awe-o-meter. It was through the pre-incarnate Christ that God created the world. “He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:2-3). But after creation, He didn’t sit down.

And it is Jesus who upholds the universe by the word of His power. Want to know the secret of the atom? It’s Jesus. Want to understand the mystery of the galaxies? Jesus, again. Want an answer as to how it all hangs together and is so discoverable? You guessed it, Jesus. But even as the bearer of all things, He doesn’t sit down.

But then we read of another work of the Son of God. He made purification for sins . . . by Himself, He purged our sins (NKJV) . . . He made cleansing for all our iniquity. And then, says the Scriptures, He sat down.

Creating all things, amazing! Upholding all things, mind-boggling! Making, by Himself, the way to redeem all things, facedown time.

For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22). And so, for Jesus to, by Himself, make purification for sins He had to suffer and die as the once for all sacrifice for mankind’s transgression. He had to bear the wrath of a holy and just God in the place of those who deserved it. He had to have His blood spilled that sin might be atoned for. He had to know death so that death might be defeated. And, having done all this on the cross, and having then been raised again on the third day and then ascending into heaven, He sat down. It is finished!!!

Sat down for this was His greatest work. What’s more He is sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, the position of honor and exaltation. Sat down at the position of power (Matt. 26:64). Sat down at the place of the Father’s delight (Ps. 16:11). God having highly exalted Him in heaven, and soon to be, on earth. Sat down for a time while He waits to return. Behold our Savior!

And, as with faith’s eye, I look up and see Him sat down, I can’t help but be humbled and to worship. I reflect on the stuff in my own life for which He made purification.  I anticipate that day when He stands to receive me home (Acts 7:56).  And I declare, “O what a Savior!”

All because of grace . . . All for His eternal glory.

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Every Good Thing That Is In Me

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Pete

To hear some Christians talk, you’d think the blood really doesn’t have all that much power and that the Spirit isn’t really all that able to sanctify. These people often declare they are still wretched . . . they are still filled with hearts that are wicked and deceitful . . . they remain in competition for Paul as the chief of sinners . . . in them, still, is no good thing. Now, to be sure, we are not there yet. Every morning we wake to civil war within us — the flesh vs. the Spirit (Gal. 5:16:17). But, as believers, should we really be declaring that there’s nothing good in us? I’m thinking not.

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
(Philemon 1-6 ESV)

Philemon’s an inspiration. He’s an unsung hero. One of those guys who, while you can never remember his name, you’re glad is on your team. He was a man of means as he had slaves and a home big enough to house a church. More importantly, he was a man of love and faith. Not just an “I know what I believe and I’ll keep it to myself” type of faith, but a faith that was so impactful that Paul heard about it even in Rome. The type of love which manifested itself in such hospitality that “the hearts of the saints” had been “refreshed” by Philemon and his wife through their home (Philemon 7).

What’s more, Paul was confident that these good deeds were not birthed in a self-serving desire to impress men but were, in fact, a manifestation of a man who had been saved and transformed by the glorious gospel. Acts of grace and generosity sourced in Philemon’s own personal encounter with the grace of God and the generosity of the cross. Paul being so confident that this was a man with his heart and soul so set on things above that Paul would ask him to do the unimaginable — receive back a runaway slave without judgment. In fact, Paul asks Philemon not only to give this rogue bondservant a second chance, but to welcome him as Philemon would welcome Paul, regarding him not as an AWOL bondservant but as a brother in Christ.

Big ask! But Paul was confident. How come? Because of “every good thing” that was in Philemon.

Receiving this runaway slave back into his home as an equal in the Lord was but a sharing of Philemon’s faith . . . a living out of what he knew to be true concerning kingdom dynamics . . . an exercising of “every good thing” that was in him through Christ and for the sake of Christ.

And I’m reminded this morning that, while it’s true that “nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh” (Rom. 7:18), I am no longer a creature in subjection to the flesh. But, in Christ, I am a new creation in subjection to the Spirit of God and “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). And in that, there should be a lot of “good things” in me. Good things that should be manifest in good deeds for the sake of Christ. Good things that are to be shared such that the love and faith I have, for the Lord Jesus and all the saints, is evident. Good things that witness to the power of the gospel to take wretched people and redeem them. That testify to the power of the gospel to replace wicked and deceitful hearts with hearts that seek to worship God in truth and spirit. That powerfully communicates the power of the gospel to take a chief of sinners and conform him or her into the image of the Son of God. All by the power of Christ . . . all for the sake of Christ.

Might God’s people be like Philemon . . . that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Because of grace . . . for God’s glory.

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Devoted to Good Works

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Pete

Over the past few years, a new term has surfaced in the circles I engage with. Gospel-centered. Though I would consider myself to have always been “gospel centered” . . . . though the gospel has always been the power for those being saved . . . this relatively new resurgence has brought a keen focus and reminder that the gospel is not designed for just a “once and done” application.

Certainly the good news of the finished work of the cross on my behalf is the power for having been saved from the penalty of my sin in the past. But the gospel is also the ocean of grace in which I currently swim as I am now being saved, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit of God, from the power of the sin in my present. What’s more, ’tis grace that will lead us home. The grace of the gospel also reminding us that Jesus not only died to set us free, but that He rose again and ascended that we might one day be with Him. Grace alone, not how well we performed as Christians, will be the sole reason that, one day in the future, I am going to be saved from the very presence of sin when the Bride, the church, is received by the Bridegroom.

Thus, there is no boasting in anything we have done, or are doing, or will do, as far as meriting salvation, whether past, present, or future. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone. Not of works . . . it is the gift of God.

But I as reminded by Paul’s letter to Titus that to think that being gospel-centered is mutually exclusive of good works would be a mistake. In fact, says the inspired Word of God, we should be devoted to good works.

. . . He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.    (Titus 3:5-8 ESV)

Four times in this letter Paul talks about “good works.” Titus was to be “a model of good works” (2:7). Jesus redeemed and purified us so that we might be a people “zealous for good works” (2:14). As such, Titus was to encourage “our people” to “learn to devote themselves to good works” (3:14). Thus, because we, as God’s people, have been saved not by our own works, but by Another’s . . . because we have known regeneration and renewal through the richly given gift of the Spirit . . . because we have been justified by grace alone . . . because we have freely been made heirs of the hope of eternal life . . . in light of all this, because of the gospel, God’s people are to be “careful to devote themselves to good works” (3:8).

There should be no one working harder at good works than those who are gospel-centered. No one running the race more purposefully . . . no one fighting the good fight more courageously . . . no one laboring to harvest in the field more determinedly . . . no one working harder than those who know that their works could never save them.

Yet, they are those who are devoted to good works.

That’s the type of people that grace grows. Those who labor IN RESPONSE to all they have been freely given. Those who labor AS A REFLECTION of the image of the Son of God being formed in them. Those who labor in light of THE REWARD when, one day, standing before Jesus face to face they hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt 25:23).

Far from being mutually exclusive, when God’s people are truly gospel-centered then God’s people will be truly devoted to good works.

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

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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 . . .

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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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