Who Am I?

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Pete

So different . . . and yet so much the same. In time we are separated by three millennia. In terms of relative rank he was a king of a great nation, I was once the boss of a pretty great group of people. In terms of accomplishments, he conquered the world and boasts a resume still spoken of, while I have pretty much just tried to live a peaceful and quiet life. So different, King David and I. And yet, so much the same. Whoever we are . . . whatever we’ve done . . . all that we have been blessed with . . . it all beckons but one question, “Who am I?”

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?     (1Chronciles 17:16 ESV)

David has just been informed by God, through Nathan the prophet, that God has determined to “build a house” for David. Though it was David’s desire to “upgrade” the dwelling place of God’s glory from a tent to a magnificent house of cedar and gold, the Sovereign of Israel delays any temple building program and promises, instead, that He is undertaking a kingdom building program.

The LORD of hosts reminds David that He had chosen David to be promoted from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince of God’s people Israel. Reminds David that He has been with him throughout his rise to power. And then informs him, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” God’s plan was to make David’s name great . . . to make David’s throne great . . . to establish his kingdom forever. Partially fulfilled in David’s son, Solomon. Yet to be fully realized at the return of David’s greater son, Jesus the Messiah (17:7-14).

And as David processes the prophet’s words, he enters the tent . . . squats before the curtain shielding the holy of holies . . . quiets himself before the LORD of heaven and earth . . . and, I imagine, whispers, “Who am I . . . What is my house? . . . That You have done so much and still promise so much?”

And as I eavesdrop on David’s sacred moments of reflection, though we are so different, I can’t help but think we are so much the same.

The Spirit reminding me that I too have been chosen . . . not to be the king of a mighty nation, but to be the adopted son of a mighty God. Not promoted from a pasture of sheep, but raised up from the mire and pit of sin. Not given a throne on earth, but seated together with Christ in heavenly places. God having been faithful since I first heard Him calling my name . . . promising that the work He has begun in me He will complete (Php. 1:6) . . . testifying by His Spirit with my spirit, “And you ain’t seen nothing yet!” God’s plan is yet to be fully realized. There is yet a new name to be received . . . a glorious throne to worship before . . . a wondrous kingdom to receive, no longer by faith, but by sight.

And so, I too sit before God. Not outside the curtain, but having entered the holy of holies through my prayer closet by the blood of the Lamb. Being still . . . knowing He is God . . . and whispering, just like David did, “Who am I . . . what is my family . . . that you have done so much for us?” That you would send Your Son to die for our sin? That you would, in Your persevering grace, woo us to Yourself through Your Spirit . . . and continue to lovingly call us back when we stumble and lose our way? That You would not only redeem us and rescue us from the judgment we deserve, but that You would also clothe us with the righteousness of Your Son and promise us a portion in His eternal inheritance? Who am I?

All because of Your grace. All for Your glory.

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The Splendor of Holiness

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Pete

I’ve referred to it as “the hidden psalm” in the past. There’s a few of these songs tucked within the pages of Scripture outside of the Bible’s main hymnal, the Psalter. But this one, I think, always surprises me the most when I come upon it. Maybe because it’s almost like God has not only hidden it within 1Chronicles, but, in a sense, made it so “difficult” to get to. In order to get here, you’ve had to work your way through pages and pages of names — to be honest, pretty dry reading and not for the faint of heart. Next to Leviticus, I wouldn’t be surprised if the first chapters of 1Chronicles might be the next most common place for people to bail out on their “Through the Bible in a Year” reading plan. But working your way through the dense brush of the early chapters of Chronicles is worth it if only to come across this treasure.

The song David gave the singers to sing appears to be a remix. You read this hidden psalm and much of it sounds familiar. It’s a composite of other songs you’ll encounter in Psalms. And the one line in this song which ignites my soul is a line I’ve encountered twice already this year as I’ve been reading through the psalms. First, back in February when Psalm 29 was on my reading plan. Then, in late April or early May when I read Psalm 96. And now, for the third time this year, the Spirit says . . .

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
bring an offering and come before Him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. (1Chronicles 16:29 ESV)

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness! Is there a command to obey more glorious? Is there an occupation of the soul more wondrous? Worship the LORD . . . and do so in the splendor . . . the beauty . . . the adorning glory . . . of holiness.

In this divinely ordained activity both parties — He who is to be worshiped and the one who is to do the worshiping — are “dressed up with some place to go.”

The object of our worship, Jehovah, the Existing One, is to be approached in the splendor of His holiness. Our God is Holy, Holy, Holy. He defines the term. Set apart alone in His glory, He so defines what it is to be sacred that to come into His presence is to instinctively fall on one’s face. He lives in unapproachable light and yet the songwriter calls to the people, “come before Him!” — the splendor of His holiness also encompassing the manner in which He has torn the curtain of the holy of holies from top to bottom in order that all who believe might enter before Him and before His throne of grace.

And that brings us to us . . . the worshipers of the Object of our worship. We come in the splendor of our holiness. Not that which is of our own making, but that of Another which, at great cost to Him, has been given to us freely. We have been set apart and declared holy. Having been consecrated according to the will of God the Father, with the blood shed for our sin by God the Son, through the life-giving, holiness-imparting active agency of God the Spirit, we seek to obey David’s command to “ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” adorned in our own beautiful holiness . . . in the splendor of that which has been given us by grace, through faith.

The splendor of holiness. What privilege it is to be invited to come before our Holy, Holy, Holy God as His holy people that we might bring an offering of praise?  Praise birthed in the hearts of redeemed souls and well-pleasing to the ears of Him who has bought us for Himself. It is great privilege indeed!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness . . . His and ours.

All because of amazing grace . . . all to the glory of an awesome God!

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Just Like Jesus

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Pete

A thought out of Colossians has my mind spinning this Monday morning. If I’m reading it right, it’s a truth I’ve never really thought about a lot. A reality that I’d probably do well to have more at the forefront of my thinking rather than mired in some deep recess of mind. The thought being that I’m just like Jesus.

Ok . . . so not in every way . . . but He’s working on that. The Word says that God has predestined me “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). To forming me, and all that’s within me, into the very nature of Jesus — second Person of the Trinity . . . come to earth, fully man and fully God. That’s the work of sanctification begun by faith, continuing by faith, and to be fully realized one day, by faith. A work not of my own doing . . . though requiring my cooperation . . . but of the Spirit’s doing. The same Spirit which raised Jesus in resurrected life . . . the same Spirit which gave me new life by His power, through regeneration. So, while I’m not there yet, there is one way in which I am exactly like Jesus was when He was on earth. My glory is hidden.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.   (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

When Christ came to earth He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory (Php. 2:6-7). In order to become the atoning sacrifice for all sin, as well as a faithful High Priest for all mankind, Jesus needed to be like His creation in all ways . . . fully associating with them as “brothers” (Heb. 2:17) . . . thus “taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Php. 2:7). While Jesus walked this earth His glory was hidden. His true nature was concealed . . . it escaped notice . . . in many ways He blended into the fabric of human existence. Me too. In that way, I’m just like Jesus.

Not that I divested myself of glory when I was born. In fact, when I was born, I was anything but glorious. Like David, and every other man, woman, and child every born, “I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Ps. 51:5). But something happened . . . in my case, at the age of 19 . . . when the glory came down . . . literally. God in His grace revealed my need to me . . . and in His grace showed my His provision for that need . . .and in His grace gave me the gift to believe and to receive that provision. And at that moment when I first believed . . . BAM!!!! . . . the glory came down.

Forgiven of my sin through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Credited with a righteousness not my own, because of Jesus’ perfect and transferable life. And given a glory that will be revealed on that day when Christ, who is my life, will appear.

Paul says that this body of my mine which was sown perishable will be raised one day imperishable. Though it is bound today by weakness, one day it will rise in power. This natural body is destined to give way to a spiritual body. What was sown in dishonor, and is now being transformed into conformation with the likeness of Christ, will one day be “raised in glory” (1Cor. 15:42-44).

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.
(Philippians 3:20-21 ESV)

Like treasure hidden in a field (Matt. 13:44), though not seen beyond heaven today, we are of great worth in His sight — God having paid the price of His blessed Son in order to purchase us. And one day that which is now a “hidden treasure,” hidden in Christ, will be excavated and elevated and put on display for eternity as trophies of His grace. The glory is hidden . . . just like Jesus. But the glory will be revealed . . . just like Jesus.

If then you have been raised with Christ . . . and we have, Praise God! . . . then seek the things that are above, dear saint. Set your minds on where your citizenship truly resides. And wait for the glory to be revealed . . . His and yours. We WILL appear with Him in glory . . . and we WILL BE glorious! Just like Jesus. Count on it.

Because of His abounding grace . . . and for His eternal glory . . . amen.

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Filled with His Fullness

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Pete

We had a guest speaker last Sunday. Some might classify him a bit “old school.” He was led of the Lord to exhort the saints as to their walk based on the different “walks” in Ephesians. Practical, nuts and bolts “do this” type of message. A friend, who struggled a bit with the nature of the message, afterward said to me, “Rather than tell them what to do, why didn’t he tell them who they are in Christ?” Fair enough. I think the “practical” needs to be in the context of the “positional.” That exhortations “to do” need to be in the context of a response as to what’s already been done. That what we should be needs to be enveloped within who we already are.

For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.    (Colossians 2:9-10 ESV) 

Glorious truth concerning Christ. In Him the full nature and essence of deity dwells bodily. He is the embodiment of the Godhead. Hebrews says, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.” Think God . . . think Jesus. Think Jesus . . . think God, fully God.

Noodle on that for even a moment and the awe-o-meter goes off the scale as you consider Jesus. Jesus the babe in the manger . . . Jesus the man who had no place to lay His head . . . Jesus the teacher who most rejected . . . Jesus the master who patiently poured Himself into a rag-tag bunch of followers . . . Jesus the object of disdain and ridicule by the religious elite . . . Jesus the blood-sweating prayer at Gethsemane . . . Jesus the mocked, beaten, and crucified . . . Jesus the buried . . . Jesus the once-for-all atoning sacrifice for my sin . . . Jesus in whom the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. Facedown time!

Now throw in the extension . . . “and you have been filled in Him.”

He is filled with fullness of deity and we have been filled in Him! What do you do with that?

First, meditate on it. In Him, and through His blessed Spirit in me, I have been immersed within the divine. Complete in Christ . . . that’s who I am. Counted righteous as He is righteous. Declared holy as He is holy. Given authority, as His is all authority. And keep on adding to the list. What is Christ and we are not filled with that fullness?

Second, worship because of it. As we consider our place in Him, offer up the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, to Him. Just as Christ came to glorify God, so those filled with the fullness of God should rush to declare God’s glory and proclaim His wonderful ways and works. 

And then, as our brother sought to remind us this past Sunday, we should walk as those completely complete in Christ . . . as those filled with His fullness. Not in our own power, but in the power of the risen Christ who lives within us and so desires to live through us. Walking in a manner worthy as His sanctifying work in our lives increases our desire that our practice would come more and more in line with our position — all by the grace of God and through the power of His indwelling Spirit. Not that we become more godly, but that we reflect more the godliness that we have been filled with. Not that we manufacture our own godliness but that we exercise the godliness imputed to us through the finished work of Christ.

Filled in Him who is the fullness of deity. Not because of who we are or what we’ve done but in spite of who we are and what we’ve done. All because of who He is . . . all because of what He’s done.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.    (Colossians 2:13-14 ESV)

Filled with His fullness. To Him be all glory and praise forevermore. Amen.

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Appropriate Worship

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Pete

Juxtaposition. I am no English major, but that’s what I think the literary device being used in Luke 7 is . . . juxtaposition. One person is placed up against another for the purpose of comparison and contrast. One set of actions are detailed against another set of actions in order to highlight their significance. In this morning’s reading, one response to Jesus is placed beside another in order to provide a mirror into the hearts of those forgiven. Let the “juxtaposition-ing” begin . . .

Then turning toward the woman [Jesus] said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven–for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”    (Luke 7:44-47 ESV)

Feeling a bit corrected this morning. In the past, reading of this sinner woman who crashed the Pharisee’s dinner in order to pour out an alabaster flask of ointment on Jesus feet has always seemed like an act of “extravagant worship.” But this morning, it seems to me Jesus is saying, “No. This isn’t extravagant worship. It is appropriate worship.” Appropriate, at least, for those who have been forgiven much.

Two people are placed side by side. What they have in common is a desire to be with Jesus. But that’s where the common ends and the contrasts begin.

One is a religious leader curious about Jesus . . . ready to evaluate Jesus. The other is a sinner woman in need of Jesus . . . ready to believe in Him. Simon condescendingly allows Jesus in his home . . . not even humbling himself enough to show Jesus the customary courtesies of eastern hospitality. The woman–that’s how she’s known, no name, just, the woman–openly desires Jesus in her life . . . happy to just be at His feet. Simon’s actions, or lack thereof, are a reflection of his perceived self-righteousness and his lack of need of a Savior. The woman’s actions, once thought to be “over the top” but now seeming to be just the right thing to do, are a portal to her heart demonstrating her self-awareness, her contrition, and her need of rescue. Simon, through his behavior, says, “I don’t need You.” The woman’s, “Oh how I need You, Lord!”

Simon really didn’t believe he had much to be forgiven for. The woman had no doubt as to how bankrupt she was because of her sin. Simon’s “worship” was understated because he didn’t get it. The woman’s worship was appropriate, not “extravagant”, because she did. Simon loved little. The woman loved much.

When’s the last time I wept at the feet of Jesus? The last time I remembered, and appreciated my redemption from the bondage of my sin to such a degree that I wanted nothing but to pour out all I had in thanksgiving and praise? The last time I loved much?

Seems there’s a caution here for the believer. We can become so used to the robe of righteousness He has freely given us to wear, that we think it’s our own. We can become so used to sitting with Him in heavenly places that we think we’ve earned the seat. We can become so accustomed to “walking the talk” that we think the scales have tipped in our favor because of what we’re doing. We can become Simon. Inviting Jesus to the table . . . but seeing little need to sit and worship at His feet.

Or, in humility we can, identifying with Paul “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1Tim. 1:15 NKJV), be like the woman. Desiring but the feet of Jesus . . . only the edge of His garment . . . if we might be in His presence. Seeking to honor and exalt Him with the outpouring of authentic, priceless praise birthed from truly thankful hearts. Our tears anointing the blessed Lamb of God who “loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Not extravagant worship . . . but appropriate worship.

Forgiven much . . . and so, loving much. All because of grace. All for God’s glory.

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We Dance

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Pete

If they were kids, says Jesus, they’d be that group of kids that just couldn’t play well with others. No matter the game, if it wasn’t their idea they’d just take their ball and go home. Unless they were “first captain second pick,” or “second captain first pick,” they weren’t prepared to be on a team. And though they didn’t really know what they wanted, they knew what they didn’t want when they saw it. No pleasing them, says Jesus.

“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at Him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”   ~ Jesus     (Luke 7:31-35 ESV)

John the Baptist comes to the barrenness of the desert, living in extreme austerity, calling people to repentance for sin, and the religious leaders avoid dealing with his message by labeling him a nut. Demon possessed, they say, he’s out of his mind.

Jesus comes to the feasting tables of those He created, living as men lived, calling people to the kingdom of God, and the religious leaders dismiss His message because of the company He keeps. Only a sinner hangs out with sinners, they declare, he’s out of our league.

No pleasing them, says Jesus. No reaching them, warns the Savior. Pick up the flute and pretend you’re at a wedding, they don’t want to dance. Wail out a lament, and have a pretend funeral, they won’t cry. Doesn’t matter the song, they won’t sing.

But the kids who embrace the pretend wedding, hear the band strike up and will “bop-boppity-bop” . . . and the kids who can put on the sad face when they hear the minor key and play along with the funeral game . . . those kids are the children of God. They are those, who by heaven’s grace, have come to know heaven’s melody and heaven’s lyric.

The religious leaders of the day, like so many of our day, wanted to pick and choose what righteousness should look like . . . how the message of God should be delivered . . . what the Messiah should look like and how He should act. And they never found it. It wasn’t this . . . and it wasn’t that . . . and they never found out what it was.

But for those whose eyes have seen Wisdom, . . . who have, by the Spirit’s illuminating and regenerating power, recognized Jesus as the Shepherd come for His sheep . . . who have humbled themselves, recognizing their sin and their need . . . and who have, by grace, believed Jesus came to save sinners . . . who have heard the song of heaven and embraced it’s tune . . . for those, there is a peace and a quiet confidence knowing that they’ve found it. Or rather, that it has found them.

No longer dissatisfied with this or discontent with that, submitting to Christ there is a stability. While the pretend songs of earth can only lead to dissatisfaction of soul, the new song of heaven envelopes the soul and brings rest and contentment.

And Wisdom, God’s beloved Son, is acknowledged by His children as the Righteous One . . . and what’s more, as the source of righteousness for all who believe.

And when He plays the flute, we dance.

Dance by His grace . . . Dance for His glory.

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A Divine Visitation

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Pete

If there’s any place I think someone wants to be inconspicuous at, it’s at a funeral. Beyond the focus placed on the loved one lost, the attention then belongs to the grieving ones left behind. But I remember once stepping out of the shadows of the group of mourners. Though it was brief, it was embarrassing. We had all just left our cars and were walking toward the graveside. And then it happened . . . the horn on our van started going off. The side door hadn’t been fully closed and when I pressed the lock button on my key fob, the van decided to alert me that it was not as secure as it needed to be. Fortunately, I was able to silence the horn fairly quickly. But not before it interrupted the solemn walk of those preparing to say their final good-byes. Note to self . . . in the future, avoid interrupting funeral processions.

This morning I was reading of another funeral were the focus was diverted. But this was no accidental interruption . . . it was a divine visitation.

Soon afterward [Jesus] went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a great crowd went with Him. As He drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave Him to His mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited His people!”    (Luke 7:11-16 ESV)

What would it have been to be part of that “considerable crowd” accompanying the widow, as she prepared to bury her only son, when Someone emerges from the crowd and says, “Stop?” Unknown to any of the mourners, whose heads and eyes were lowered in solemn anticipation of a final good-bye, was that heaven’s eyes were also lowered, but in anticipation of an unexpected reunion. The crowd looked at the lifeless body on the bier and mourned. Jesus looked upon the grieving mother and had compassion. And then says to her, “Do not weep.” And then says to the dead man, “Arise.” And Jesus gave him to his mother.

Talk about a change in plans. Put away the eulogy for another day. Save those final words of fond remembrance for such a fine young man. Instead they glorify the God who has power to raise the dead.

They sang His praise. They marvelled at His power. Though they didn’t fully comprehend who Jesus was, they knew that through Him “God had visited His people!”

And I pause and whisper, “Yes! . . . Yes He does.”

People dead in trespass and sin, raised in newness of life. Funeral processions interrupted by resurrection. Mourning replaced with dancing. Weeping supplanted by wonder. Because God has visited His people.

The Creator entered creation. He who “is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” emptied Himself and took upon Himself flesh and blood so that He might walk among those for whom He would die. Die so that, through His death, they would know life . . . real life . . . life to the full.

How complacent can we become concerning such divine visitation? How familiar is it that our LORD is the great interrupter of funerals? Just look around at the people we gather with Sunday after Sunday . . . each one, at one time, a dead man . . . a dead woman. At one time lifeless . . . carried through life with no hope but the grave. But all now raised in glorious life . . . their funerals forever interrupted. All because of heaven’s great compassion. All because of the Father’s unfailing love. All because of the Son’s once for all sacrifice. All because of the Spirit’s life giving power.

All for the glory of God . . . forever praised for His divine visitation!

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Royal Grace

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Pete

Finished up 2Kings this morning. Kind of sad when you pause and reflect how what had started out so well with the promises of God, ended up so bleakly with the prisons of Assyria and Babylon. Talk about your roller coaster ride. From the thrill of deliverance from Egyptian bondage, to the desert wanderings of those who refused to enter the promised land. From the momentum established by Joshua’s generation who took the land, to the utter failure of the next generation who, while enjoying the land, rejected the ways of the land Giver and did what was right in their own eyes. Neither the judges raised up by God, nor the king demanded by the people, was enough to deliver a people whose hearts were set on pursuing gods other than their God.

The heights of David’s determination to set apart a city for God, so that he might build a house where God’s presence could be found, surpassed only by God’s promise to build a house and a line for David which would last for eternity, eventually results in a city destroyed and a descendant of David in a foreign prison. The crescendo of Solomon’s dedication of the temple, evidenced by the descending glory of God upon it, is eclipsed by the glory departing, the temple razed, and it’s treasure pillaged.

A once unified kingdom, divided. The northern kingdom hell-bent, literally, to replace their God with idols of gold. The southern kingdom determined to choke out their love for the one true God with their lust for the gods, which are no gods, of other nations. And so God writes His people a certificate of divorce, giving them up to the bondage of the nations of the gods they desired.

Heavy sigh!

But, as is so often the case, as you read the final four verses of 2Kings you see a ray of sunlight . . . a glimmer of hope . . . an indication that the story is not yet done. In these verses you are hit by royal grace.

And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, . . . Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the kings table, and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.    (2Kings 25:27-30 ESV)

Jehoiachin was a kid king — only eighteen when he took the throne. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, just as he had seen modeled in those before him. But what he did do right was listen to the voice of the prophets and submitted himself to God’s instrument of judgment upon the wayward southern kingdom. He gave himself up to the king of Babylon (2Kings 24:8-12). And though he remained in a Babylonian prison for 36 years, he remained as the hope for the promised line of David. Not because of who he was, or what he had done, but because of royal grace.

Jehoiachin is “graciously freed” . . . a much better translation than others that say simply, he was “released” from prison.  Literally, “his head was lifted up” as he was released from his house of restraint. He was given a seat above other seats. His prison garments were put off and he was given new garments to wear. All the days of his life he ate at the king’s table. And every day his needs were met through a “regular allowance” from the kings storehouses of riches.

That’s royal grace. Sound familiar?

I once was imprisoned through my desire for the things of this world and the gods it manufactures. But the King of heaven and earth, through a sovereign act of grace, determined to free me. Released from the bondage of sin, I was not just set free, but was given a seat — raised up with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places “in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6-7). My prison garments put off, His robe of righteousness put on. Every day of my life I’m welcomed to abide with Him at His table. Each day an allowance of all sufficient grace is liberally apportioned to me. Every day being a reminder of His royal grace.

O’ that the King of glory would look with such favor upon those in a prison of their own making as they seek other gods. What grace! What deliverance! What a Savior!

To Him be all glory.

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Help These Women

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Pete

This week I was talking to my daughter and she came across a short poem that she remembered hearing as a little girl:

To live above,
with saints we love,
O’ won’t that be glory.
But to live below,
with saints we know . . .
now, that’s another story!

It came to mind again as I was reading in Philippians 4 this morning.

What had come between the two ladies isn’t known. Obviously the Spirit didn’t consider it pertinent. But what was considered important, and was God-breathed for our instruction, is that whatever it was that caused disagreement between these two servants of Christ, it needed to be dealt with. And so Paul exhorts his most faithful co-worker to “help these women.”

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.    (Philippians 4:2-3 ESV)’

You sense these ladies were pillars within the fellowship. They had worked closely together with Paul “in the gospel.” These women, whose names were in the book of life, were active in the things of the kingdom. I gather they were women of reputation . . . women of influence. And yet, for some reason, they were women at odds with one another.

Seems like, whether 1st century or 21st century, people are still people. And even “fellow workers in the gospel” can rub one another the wrong way, or have a different view on some matter. Who hasn’t encountered in their own church fellowship a Euodia/Syntche dynamic? And I’m not just talking about a tension between two ladies. In fact, my experience, more often than not, has been that of the egos of two men coming into sharp conflict . . . often over legitimate areas of disagreement, yet creating a tension which is palpable within the fellowship. And of such Paul would say, Help these men.

So this morning I’m thinking less about the exhortation to the two ladies to “agree in the Lord” and more about the need for godly brothers and sisters to care enough, and with courage enough, to draw alongside of family combatants and “help these women.”

Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. So writes Paul to the Ephesians (4:3). Exert one’s self for harmony’s sake. Pursue unity with urgency and priority. But how often do we see the “relational difficulties” between two people in our fellowship and just do nothing. Knowing there’s tension, we will let it fester. And fester it does. I’m thinking that, save for arrogance within a fellowship, there is no leaven that spreads quicker than division and disunity. Factions are a church-killer . . . or at least a church-maimer as, eventually, body parts and whole body sections are cut off or just walk out the door.

What ever was going on with Euodia and Syntyche, was considered a big deal by Paul. And I’m guessing it was less about the issue, and even not so much about their relationship, but a concern for the health of the fellowship as a whole and the impact it would have on their witness for the gospel.

By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.     ~ Jesus     (John 13:35 ESV)

Church unity. Kind of a big deal, I’m thinking. Was to Paul. Is to our Savior, the Head of the church. Should be to us, as well.

That by God’s grace we would live in harmony with our brothers and sisters. And that, when harmony is disrupted, by that same grace we would have the courage and the compassion to help these women . . . and to help these men.

Because of grace . . . and for His glory.

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Seek Your Servant

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Pete

You’d think that after 175 verses of extolling the Word of God . . . after 22 stanzas singing of the dynamics associated with the promises, precepts, and testimonies of the LORD . . . that after all that, there’d be some crescendo of triumphant praise as the psalmist concludes his song. Instead, he concludes it with a simple plea, “Seek Your servant.”

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
for I do not forget Your commandments.      (Psalm 119:176 ESV)

That’s it. That’s the end of the psalm. That’s the last thing that echoes in the ears of the reader who has experienced this marathon poem concerning the law of the LORD. Even though I love Your word, says the psalmist, even though You have opened my eyes to see wondrous things in Your law . . . even though I have hid Your word in my heart, . . . though I have pleaded that You would enlarge my heart that I might run in Your ways . . . though Your word has been a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path . . . though it has been my salvation and has been the rock upon which I trust . . . despite all that, confesses the songwriter, I have gone astray.

Given all that advantage, how does that happen? I know . . . ask me.

. . . .   Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

Been there . . . done that . . . got the t-shirt.

And sheep who have gone astray can’t just pull themselves up by their own boot straps and get on with righteousness again. It’s not like the lost can make themselves found. Instead the lost have one flare to fire up . . . Seek Your servant.

Though I love Your word in my spirit, yet the flesh is weak. Seek Your servant. Though I know the way in which to walk, I’ve been tripped up in a fault. Seek Your servant. Though I long for the light of the Son, my soul is downcast and overshadowed with gloom. Seek Your servant.

Are there three sweeter words for the pilgrim who has been worn down by the rugged trail and decided to try a shortcut? Three sweeter words for the servant who has been overcome with a burden and decided to turn a deaf ear to his masters voice? Three sweeter words for the one who wakes up one morning only to realize that they are not where they should be? I’m thinking not. No sweeter words than “Seek Your servant.”

Mine is a Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine and goes in search of the one that’s drifted away. And when He finds the sheep–and He will find the sheep–rather than scold the sheep or punish the sheep, He “rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray” (Matt. 18:12-13). Mine is the the faithful High Priest who, having become flesh Himself, is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses” and leads us back to the throne of grace where we might “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15-16). Mine is an ever interceding Advocate for those who sin, having Himself been the once-for-all atoning sacrifice for my sin past, present, and future (1John 2:1-2).

And mine is to avail myself of His overflowing river of grace and cry out, “Seek Your servant.”

If there’s nothing else I get from 176 verses of tribute to the word of God, and to the God of the Word, to be reminded of this is enough. That the LORD is my Shepherd and He hears my cry when I have gone astray.

Seek Your servant. Seek by Your grace . . . Seek for Your glory.

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