They Worked for Me

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Pete

On this morning after the night before, it’s a phrase in Ezekiel that’s captured my attention.

Context? The Lord God’s judgment against Egypt. “I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt,” declares the LORD through the prophet (Ezek. 29:3). How come? “Because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel” (Ezek. 29:6b). You’ve been a flimsy crutch for my people (MSG). “When they gripped you, you splintered and cut their hand, and when they leaned on you, you broke and sent them sprawling” (Ezek. 29:7 MSG). Your pseudo-power and your illusory wisdom became a hope for a people who had stopped hoping in me. And so, says the LORD, while I will restore you after I have judged you, you will be “the most lowly of the kingdoms” so that you “shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel” who sinned by turning to you for aid (Ezek. 29:15-16).

(Hmm . . . not my main thought but if Egypt is a picture of the world — and it is — then I’m seeing a connection between this and something I read in 1John this morning . . . “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. . . And the world is passing away along with its desires . . .” (1John 2:15, 17a) )

Back to our context. God is going to judge Egypt, Israel’s “staff made of reed.” And how? With another world-dominating power (aka flimsy crutch), Babylon. Who’s Babylon? Well, she works for God.

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for Me, declares the Lord GOD.”

(Ezekiel 29:19-20 ESV)

They worked for me . . . That’s what I’m chewing on.

Nebuchadnezzar, kind of Babylon, worked for the Lord GOD of heaven. As Peterson puts it, “He’s been working for Me all these years without pay.” A reminder that earthly sovereigns are but servants of the one and only true Sovereign. Earthly kings but contracted labor for the king of Kings. Earthly presidents just promoted personnel for the purposes of the One who “rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (Daniel 4:17).

In case you missed it, there was an election last night. A new (old) ruler chosen by the people for the people. A new (old) government’s coming to town. And, says the LORD, “They work for Me.”

That’s our hope isn’t it? Not a red hope, not a blue hope, but a “they worked for Me” hope.

Our trust not in any government but in Him who governs all. Our peace not in any president, but in the Him who presides overall. Our path forward not found in a party’s policies but in God’s prevailing promises. Not relying on any ideological platform but resting in a loving God’s purposes. Our confidence not in how good our leaders are, but in how good our God is. Knowing, and believing, what our heavenly Father declares, “They worked for Me.”

It’s the morning after the night before . . .

By His grace. For His glory.

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Time to Cross the Field

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Pete

I think it’s one of my favorite parts of almost any sports contest. Whether it’s 52 players leaving their respective dugouts to shake hands after 9 innings; or 106 gridiron warriors leaving their sidelines and crossing the field to pat one another on the shoulder pads, and ask how the wife and kids are doing after a grueling hour; or two MMA fighters crossing the octagon to give each other a high five and hug after they’ve beat on one another for 15 minutes; there’s something about athletes who compete hard against one another coming together after their match to demonstrate there’s something more than just winning or losing.

Church, it’s time to cross the field.

So, glad today is here. Let’s get ‘er done. Let’s know the will of the people as determined by a majority and the providence of God as determined by His sovereignty. And then, let’s move on and get back to being “subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him . . . For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. . . Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1Peter 2:13-15, 17 ESV). Yeah, “love the brotherhood” . . . time to cross the field.

More than the polarized divisiveness and the demonized rhetoric of our political public square grieving me, it’s been how that public square has played out too often and too much within our holy, set-apart community. Too much world-talk in church spaces, from my perspective. Too much world-attitude in the body of believers, according to my sources. Put your best commentary on it and you could say that it is equally saved brothers and sisters contending equally earnestly for the faith as they equally make good faith decisions on how to best equally love their neighbors by equally engaging in the process. Equally but not uniformly, nor unanimously, nor, unfortunately, in unity. Sincerely playing the game, but in support of different teams.

But now, prompted by John, I’m thinking it’s time to cross the field.

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

(1John 2:7-10 ESV)

Not a new commandment, but an old one. But not just an old commandment. Instead, one that’s new in the sense of priority and importance when it comes to abiding in light and to being light. New because it’s true in Jesus and, if we are in Jesus and He is in us, then should be true in us, as well. Not a light thing (as in “take it or leave it”), but a light thing (as in the darkness is passing way and the true light is shining). Love your brother, says John, it’s how you know you’re abiding in Jesus.

It’s been a battle over the past several months. Different positions, but similar passions. Different messaging, but like motives. Different sides, but all awaiting the same Savior. Now, it’s time to show a world that beyond today we actually live for a glorious tomorrow. Not because we voted for it, not because we deserve it, but because we’ve been purchased by Another and promised it. And, to that end, we’ve been asked to give up our rights, and to wear the banner of a special people, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 3:9).

And how do we proclaim His excellencies? Can I suggest that it can start by determining to love — in word and in deed — our brothers and sisters in Christ — even those on the other side? Confessing what needs to be confessed. Showing grace where grace needs to abound. Extending goodwill, even if we’re still not convinced the other side had good arguments. In humility esteeming others better than ourselves (Php. 2:3). Receiving others as Christ has received us (Rom. 15:7). Showing a warring world about us that our ultimate allegiance is to the Lamb and to each other — His blood-bought, heaven-bound people.

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light . . .

Church, let’s abide in the light. Time to cross the field.

Only by God’s grace. Always for God’s glory.

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Recognizing Twisted Scripture

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Pete

Exile living ain’t necessarily easy living. Beyond the hostility of the nations around us, there’s the danger of false teachers among us (2Pet. 2:1). As to the nations around us, the sort of people we ought to be are those who seek to live “lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God” (2Pet. 3:12) — even so, Lord Jesus come! But as to the “ignorant and unstable” among us, we are to “take care.”

Take care against what? Against twisted scripture.

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

(2Peter 3:15-16 ESV)

Twisted scriptures. It’s always been a problem. Was so with the first century Scriptures being brought online by the Spirit through Paul, was so with the Scriptures of old given to Moses and all the Prophets. Twisted as in contorted and wrenched out of place. Think ancient torture on the rack and you’re getting the picture of what was being done to the Scriptures by those who pretended to be of the Way but weren’t, those Peter identifies as the “ignorant and unstable” — or, as Philips puts it, the “ill-informed and unbalanced.” It was a thing among the people of God back then. I’m thinking it might just be a thing today, as well.

So, says Peter, “take care!”

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

(2Peter 3:17 ESV)

Take care lest you be carried away and lose your own stability. Take care “lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers” (MSG). The stakes are high.

The twist is subtle. The ground starts to shift. And, before you know it, you’ve lost your own stability. You look around at the people of God among you, you look at yourself, and you say, “What happened! How did we get carried away?” Simple answer: twisted Scriptures.

Okay, so how do I recognize twisted scripture? I think Peter provides a diagnosing tool, a helpful barometer to detect when the winds are changing, an accurate thermometer to indicate when the temperature is out of whack.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

(2Peter 3:18 ESV)

First word: “But.” Aka, in contrast. Aka, what it should look like when the Scriptures are not being twisted, and we are not being carried away, and we are not losing our own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Could it be that simple? That we can know we are rightly dividing, and rightly applying, and rightly contending for the Scriptures when we see that we are growing in grace? I’m thinking. Conversely, might it be a warning that we are being carried away and losing our own stability if, when we replay our actions and attitudes, we find we are behaving less like Jesus than we used to? That in our fight for what’s right we may be going about it all wrong? When, instead of growing in grace, we’re becoming more cantankerous and contentious? When reviling is more our tactic than “reviling not” (1Peter 2:23a)? When turning up the rhetoric is our default position rather than turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and entrusting ourselves to Him who judges justly (1Peter 2:23b)?

Grace. If doing our exile thing is resulting in growing in grace, then maybe it’s an indicator we are doing exile the right way. If it isn’t, perhaps we need to take care.

Something to chew on.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Lord Makes Space

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Pete

I guess it says the same thing, but I also think there’s a subtle and important difference. To “come to” something seems to emphasize an arrival. To “reach” something seems to focus more on a journey. To “come to” makes me think more of a path. But according to the original language, to “reach” paints more a picture of space. And I guess that resonates. When it comes to repentance, it is less about a path presented and more about the space provided.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

(2Peter 3:9 ESV)

Peter’s addressing the naysayers, those who scoff, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2Pet. 3:3-4a). If He’s going to judge the world, they say, where’s the judgment?

Peter’s reply? Your problem isn’t really with the veracity of God’s promise, it’s with a complete lack of understanding of God’s patience. If you were honest with yourselves, you’d have to admit that God has a pretty solid track record when it comes to what He speaks and what He does (2Pet. 3:5-6). Your problem is with the space the Lord is leaving for you to reach repentance.

Reach repentance . . . That’s the phrase I’m chewing on this morning.

Other translations render it “come to repentance.” But apparently, the literal meaning of the original word used here is “to leave space” or “to have space or room for receiving or holding something.” And, like I said, that resonates. For I think getting to a place of conviction, confession, contrition, change of mind, and commitment to do a 180-degree turnabout is more akin to navigating a space than it is to following a path.

The story of the prodigal son comes to mind (Luke 15:11-24). Talk about space! Getting your inheritance early, having the luxury of being somewhat independently wealthy, gives you a lot of space. Although he may have followed a path away from his father’s house “into a far country”, once there he had the space to “squander his property in reckless living.” Who would have guessed that it would lead him to hiring himself out to feed pigs in order to feed himself — but even then, not be able to feed himself as well as he fed the pigs. Lotta room there, tons of space to discover dead-end after dead-end. But also, space for him to “come to himself.” Space to look around and then look back. Space to regret his decisions and recalibrate his desires. Space to be repelled by his current situation and remember his father’s house. Space to reach repentance.

And it’s the Lord who, in His kindness, makes space (Rom. 2:4). Patiently providing us room to get real about our sinful complicity in ending up in sad situations. Room to get in touch with our hearts and honest with our self-justifications. Room to come to our senses and admit to ourselves, “It’s time to go home.” To purpose, as did the prodigal, “I will arise and go to my Father.”

Thank God for His patience. Thank God for the cross and that through it there is always available forgiveness and cleansing from unrighteousness. Thank God for grace abounding that can’t be out sinned. Thank God for the space to come home each and every time we find we’ve wandered off. Thank God that we can always reach repentance.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Whose Rules Are We Playing By?

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Pete

Read Ezekiel and you realize how creative God is in describing the sin of His people. Actually, maybe it’s not so much God’s creativity as it is sin’s multiplicity — the root of sin manifesting itself in many and various ways. The symptoms of the disease are many. For example, there was pride and idolatry. Impudence and rebellion. Violence and injustice. The sanctuary defiled as the first commandment was defied.

And it’s one of those symptoms of sin — one of those tell-tale signs God presents in His case against a people who have strayed — which catches my attention.

“For you have not walked in My statutes, nor obeyed My rules, but have acted according to the rules of the nations that are around you.”

(Ezekiel 11:12b ESV)

Instead of obeying God’s commands and walking according to God’s way, the people had been infiltrated and infected by the world around them so that they acted according to the rules of the nations.

Though they lived among the nations they were to conduct themselves in a manner distinct and separate from the nations. Though they were in the same game as those around them, they were to play it differently. Yet, they adopted the playbook of the nations. They acted according to the rules of the nations around them.

Can’t help but think this is one of those 1 Corinthians 10:6 observations. That while I might be taking note of something that happened to them, it’s intended to serve as an example for me, “that we might not desire evil as they did.” A reminder that as God’s people, while we are in the world, we are not to be like the world. A reminder that we are to play by a different set of rules.

Rules that might seem foolish to the world and its ways. Yet rules which are reflective of another world and of a heavenly kingdom. Rules intended not to win one of the world’s shiny crowns but to cast light upon and be preserving salt against the world’s metastasizing corruption.

So, whose rules are we playing by? Whose rules am I playing by? Not in the big areas of sin that we can easily eschew, but in the subtle dynamics of our culture which seek to draw us in and define us as just another “tribe.” A tribe defined more by position than presence. A tribe which operates like other tribes, rather than as a people which stand apart conducting themselves in “simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God” (2Cor. 1:12). A people whose rule book calls us to be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Php. 2:15).

Conduct matters. Not just what we stand for, but how we stand for it. Not just that we engage in the game, but how we play the game.

Not acting according to the rules of the nations, but according to the ways of the kingdom.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Broken God?

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Pete

Okay, wasn’t expecting that. Pretty sure I’ve never made this observation before. Nothing in my devo archives from Ezekiel 6. But there it is. A broken God.

“Yet I [aka God] will leave some of you alive. When you have among the nations some who escape the sword, and when you are scattered through the countries, then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols.”

(Ezekiel 6:8-9a ESV)

I have been broken . . . that’s what’s being served up for this morning’s meal.

As I’m reading Ezekiel, observations of God are flying off the page. Observations about His anger and His fury (5:13). Of how He is a God who judges and punishes (7:3). Of how — because His rebellious people had so provoked Him to wrath — He would not spare nor would He have pity (7:4, 9). And for what ultimate purpose? That they would know that He is the LORD — a phrase repeated 8 times within Ezekiel chapters 5, 6, and 7. For His people’s good and for His glory, God wants to be known — and if not known in His kindness and provision, then known in His fury and punishment.

And among the things to know about God I stumble upon this observation: God can be broken.

Broken not as in wrecked or unfixable but broken as in crushed and hurt. Broken as in grieved (Ps. 78:40). Broken as in burdened and wearied (Is. 43:24). The persistent, hard-hearted, stiff-necked, betrayal of a people who had prostituted themselves with all manner of lifeless idols had devastated God (MSG). The Omnipotent One shattered (LEB) by His departing people. Thus says the LORD, “I have been broken.” Chew on that for a minute or two.

Oh, the heart of God. Not a frail heart, but a feeling heart. Not a distant heart, but a tender heart. Not a stony heart, but a seeking heart.

Oh, the condescension of God. To, in some manner and to some degree, allow His creation some insight into His heart.

I have been broken . . . What vulnerability!

And for what purpose? That we might know that He is the LORD.

I don’t want to be a heartbreaker. But I could be if not for the finished work of the cross and the imputed righteousness of the Redeemer.

Thank God for Calvary! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What amazing grace! To God be the glory.

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The True Grace of God

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Pete

An observation at the end of Lamentations and a certain expectation at the end of 1 Peter — that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Throughout Lamentations, I’ve been taking note of the prayers prayed by Jeremiah. Amidst the waste and the weeping, as the prophet takes stock of the destruction of Jerusalem and its people, you’ll find him periodically calling out to God. I first noticed it back in chapter one where four times the prophet interrupts his lament to beseech God to “behold”, to “look”, to “look and see” (1:9, 11, 12, 20). Not that Jeremiah was thinking that the all-knowing God of heaven might not know how bad things really were on the ground, but that he just needed some reassurance that God was also all-present. That God was engaged. That God had not left the building.

And these 911 prayers continue. “Look and see” in chapter two (2:20), “Do not close Your ear to my cry for help” in chapter three (3:56), and then, this morning’s petitions in chapter five.

Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! . . . Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old . . .

(Lamentations 5:1, 21 ESV)

Remember . . . Restore . . . Renew . . .

Don’t forget . . . Don’t forsake . . . Don’t finish off.

Call to mind . . . Call us back . . . Call us new.

And that Jeremiah would pray such prayers, given the severity of the situation, makes a ton of sense.

Yet, Jeremiah also knows that what had befallen Jerusalem, Jerusalem deserved. Jeremiah knows that what has been suffered has been suffered under the hand of the God he is appealing to and that it is just judgment for generations of rebellion. He knows that the LORD has given “full vent to His wrath” and has “poured out His hot anger” (4:11) for the sin of Jerusalem’s prophets and the iniquities of her priests (4:13). He knows that their “inheritance has been turned over to strangers” and they “have become orphans” (5:3) because “our fathers sinned . . . and we bear their iniquities” (5:7). He knows that the fact that Jerusalem is just a desert is because her people have received their just desserts.

So, knowing that they are but receiving the recompense for their persistent, habitual, hardened sin, how can Jeremiah also pray, “Remember . . . Restore . . . Renew”?

Cue 1 Peter. Time to connect some dots.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. . . . this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

(1Peter 5:10, 12b ESV)

Though Peter & The Exiles (hmm . . . that would make a good band name) suffered at a different time, under different circumstances, and for different reasons, they too needed to know that God would “look and see.” They needed the assurance that He would remember, restore, and renew.

And what would be the basis for such assurance? What would be their confidence that God would hear their plea and respond to their petition? Their call to glory and His grace abounding. His promises to them in Christ and their receipt of unconditional, unmerited favor through Christ.

This is the true grace of God . . .

Stand firm in it . . .

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The Flame of YAH

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Pete

Pretty sure I’ve never noticed it before. Perhaps because I was too busy blushing.

Come on! Read the Song of Solomon and at times it’s like you’re peeking into thoughts and things that shouldn’t be peeked into. Some pretty passionate language being used to describe some pretty intimate stuff. So, how to read it? Literally? (Blush). Allegorically? I’m thinking. After all, didn’t Jesus say, “The Scriptures . . . bear witness of Me”? Yeah, He did. And so, they do. And thus, to look for Jesus in this over-the-top love story by Solomon would seem appropriate.

So, when I hear “SHE” say, “My beloved is mine, and I am his” (Song 3:16), I’m hearing the church fawning over her Savior. When she dreams of how she “sought him” and “found him” and “held him” (Song 3:1,4), I see in it the ardent response of those who have been graced with being betrothed to the One who is “altogether desirable” (Song 5:16).

And then, this morning, I see that thing I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. The LORD. Like literally! I see the two English words, “the LORD.” The only time you’re gonna find that one Hebrew word YAH, aka Jehovah, in the book. Okay, that’s something to pause and take notice of, isn’t it? That, it seems to me, is worthy of chewing on.

Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the LORD.
Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house,
he would be utterly despised.

(Song of Solomon 8:6-8 ESV)

The very flame of the LORD . . . There is it! “SHE” is expressing to her beloved the depths of love she has for him. Strong as death . . . as possessive as the grave . . . as bright and intense as fire. Fire that waters cannot quench, and floods cannot drown out. What kind of fire is that? The very flame of YAH. What kind of love is that? The love of God!

In trying to find the right words for love, she has to go to the very source of love to try and express the depths of her love. And God is love (1John 4:8).

A supernatural fire. A divine flame. That is the love kindled within her for her beloved. For that is the love which had wooed her and won her. The love which had redeemed and received her. The love which had bought her and bound itself to her. And that type of love — though imperfect while she is yet imperfect — is the love she feels for the one she loves.

The depths of love we feel too? Yeah. Should be.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.

(1Peter 1:8 ESV)

Oh, to love Him who has first loved us with the very flame of YAH.

By His grace. For His glory.

I love You Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
O my soul rejoice
Take joy my King
In what You hear
May it be a sweet sweet sound
In Your ear

Laurie Klein, © 1978, 1980 House Of Mercy Music

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Seeking Jesus (2014 Rerun)

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Pete

Right action . . . wrong motive. Right pursuit . . . but focused on the wrong prize. Very commendable effort . . . but too common an expectation. John says they were “seeking Jesus” . . . so they got in their boats and crossed over the sea and went to Capernaum (John 6:24). Right action . . . right pursuit . . . commendable effort. Good on them for seeking Jesus. But when they found Him, Jesus kind of asks the tough question, Why are you seeking Me?

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.”

(John 6:26-27 ESV)

They sought Jesus because they had been there when He fed the 5,000 with just a few loaves and fish. But they sought Him not because they desired the One who had performed such a great miracle . . . instead they wanted more of the miracle. It was less about seeking Jesus because He just might be the Messiah, and more about seeking Jesus because they just might get to feed their fleshly wants. Though God the Father had set His seal on Jesus as the promised One through the wondrous sign of taking essentially nothing and providing food enough to feed all who are hungry, their primary focus remained on “food that perishes” rather than on the Son of Man.

And so, Jesus seeks to elevate their gaze. To turn their eyes from their stomachs and to the things of eternity.

Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

(John 6:28-29 ESV)

Seek not just the benefit . . . but believe in the Benefactor. When it’s just about the bread, then Jesus becomes, in a sense, our genie . . . us thinking that our wishes become His command. But when it’s about believing in the Giver-of-Bread, then Jesus becomes our Lord . . . His commands becoming our desires. So, says Jesus, “Do not labor for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”

(John 6:36 ESV)

Jesus offers so much more than food for the stomach. And so much more than any blessing we would desire in this life. Whoever comes to Him . . . and not only to the blessings they might get through Him . . . there is a satisfaction of soul that is beyond imagination . . . beyond explanation . . . that is, quite literally, out of this world!

Oh, that having tasted of His goodness we might seek Jesus for no other reason than that He is good. That having believed He is the Son of God, we might pursue all that it means to follow the Son of God.

Seeking Jesus.

Not for some food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life.

Not relying on our strength, but drawing on His abundant grace.

Not just for our benefit, but for His glory.

Amen?

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Not Enough Room in the Mirror (2016 Rerun)

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Pete

This morning, I saw the effects of “the pride of Moab” played out in the elite of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 48 records the words of the LORD concerning the people of Moab. Not very good words. Words of judgment. Words of impending doom. How come?

Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he magnified himself against the LORD.

(Jeremiah 48:42 ESV)

Moab magnified himself against the LORD. He exalted himself rather than God. He billed himself as great at the expense of the great God of heaven. Any question as to what such “magnification” looked like is removed as God details the indictment, identifying it as “the pride of Moab.” “He is very proud,” says the LORD, calling out his loftiness, arrogance, haughtiness of heart, and insolence which showed itself both in Moab’s fake boasting and fake deeds (48:29-30). And when it comes to being magnified, when it comes to receiving the glory, the glory of man and the glory of God cannot coexist. One is set against the other. Like those old westerns, when it comes to the glory of man and the glory of God, “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us!” And there’s gonna be a showdown.

When it comes to His glory, God don’t share!

True in the days of ancient Moab? True in the days of New Testament Israel.

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” ~ Jesus

(John 5:44 ESV)

It’s only the fifth chapter of John’s twenty-one-chapter gospel and already the Jews, the religious elite of Jesus’ day, were seeking to kill Him. Not just because they thought He was breaking the Sabbath by healing lifelong invalids on the seventh day of the week (5:1-17), but because “He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God” (5:18). That’s because He was equal with God! He was the Word — the Word that was with God and the Word that was God (John 1:1). Come as the manifest glory of God (John 1:14).

But there was no room for any more glory among the Jews. They were consumed with their own glory. Their great occupation was to receive glory from one another . . . heaven need not apply. They had jumped on the Moab-mania bandwagon. Self-exalting, self-promoting, and self-sufficient people who only had eyes for themselves. Whose mirror was so occupied with their own light that there was no room for the Light of the world.

They had magnified themselves against the LORD. No room to believe in another because they so believed in themselves.

And as I chew on the pride of Moab and the self-glorification of the Jews, I’m reminded that it’s not an issue of how big “the town” is. Not a matter of whether or not there’s room in the mirror for both me and my God. But that my God is a God who will not give His glory to another (Isa. 48:11).

It’s not about sharing the spotlight, it’s about whose spotlight it is. My glory and God’s glory cannot coexist. My pride finds no place in His presence. They don’t get along. One is set against the other.

It’s not like I can really believe in Jesus while still really believing in me. When I’m seeking my glory, it will impact my faith. The Jews could not believe or receive the glory of God before them because they were so concerned about their own glory and exaltation. Similarly, if I’m focused on establishing how I great I think I am, it’s going to impact knowing how great my Father truly is.

Not enough room in the mirror for both He and me.

He must increase, I must decrease (John 3:30).

Because of His grace . . . and for His glory alone.

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