A Foreign Language

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Pete

Her situation was desperate and He was in the neighborhood. She had a daughter “severely oppressed by a demon” — a demon perhaps invited into the home through her pagan practices. He was the Son of God. She was on a mission to do whatever was necessary to help her daughter. He was on a mission to glorify His Father — and, strictly speaking, His “target audience” was the house of Israel. And so, He had traveled to the borders of that land with the good news of the kingdom. But, it seems, that word had also traveled to the heathen that He was in the vicinity. And so she crossed the line . . . literally. She “came out” from that region. And then she called out. Called out to the One she believed could bring deliverance. And she called out in a foreign language.

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.”   (Matthew 15:21-22 ESV)

She was a Canaanite woman. Mark says that she was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And what grabbed me this morning is that, when she comes to Jesus begging Him to deliver her little girl, she addresses Him as “O Lord, Son of David.”

What’s a Canaanite woman doing using that sort of language? Even if you “give away” the use of “lord” as simply a term of respect, what does she know about David? Or, about His Son, the prophesied Messiah? Evidently something.

Not only has word reached beyond Israel’s borders concerning the miracle-performing, upstart Rabbi from Nazareth, but this pagan woman knows something about the promises made to the people neighboring her borders. And, apparently, hasn’t dismissed them but, at some level, believes them. And so she goes to Jesus and addresses Him with language uncommon to her normal way of life — “O Lord, Son of David.”

And though the Spirit had not yet been widely given, I can’t help but wonder how a foreign woman, in a pagan culture, comes to the realization that Jesus is the Lord, the Son of David.

And, I can’t help but identify. For I too, once unaware of God’s promises, once pursuing the ways of this world, was brought to a place where I also spoke in a foreign language.

Not reared in the things of God. Unfamiliar with any aspect of the kingdom of heaven. For the most part, unaware of any great need I might have. There came a point in my life when I too used that foreign word, “Lord.” Not sure I pronounced it very confidently, but did so sincerely. Not really sure of all that it meant, but believing it was linked to eternal life. Not the most natural word for me to use, but one, when spoken, would have a supernatural impact.

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, help me.”  (Matthew 15:24-25 ESV)

O’ the grace of God that leads people far removed from the things of heaven to come in faith before the eternal Son of David, and speak in a language that has been foreign to them all their lives.

“Lord, help me.” That, my friends, is amazing, saving grace.

To Him be all glory . . .

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A Heart Problem

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Pete

He answered their question with a question. Not to avoid responding to them. But to point out that they, in fact, where asking the wrong question. That, in reality, it was less about His disciples’ scandalous actions and way more about their duplicitous attitudes. They were fixated on the speck in their brothers’ eyes and were clueless as to the log in their own. They thought they were exposing a hand problem among Jesus’ disciples. Instead, Jesus dropped the bomb on a heart problem that existed among them.

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:1-3 ESV)

They stood before the Son of God and said, why do your followers not obey our traditions? Why don’t they wash their hands before they eat? They had taken the teaching of cleansing after contacting something unclean and “super-sized it” to apply to whenever they would eat. And it really wasn’t about the cleaning of dirty hands as it was intended to be a public demonstration of how clean they already thought themselves to be because of who they were. It was a self-righteous demonstration for the sake of public recognition.

And the Son of God answers their question with a question. He who sees in the secret and knows the thoughts and intents of the inner man, stands before them and asks in return, why do your traditions break my Father’s commandments? To make His point, Jesus gives an example of how the twisted, self-serving religion of the Pharisees could provide for a person to forsake caring for their parents if they were merely to declare, “Sorry, I cant help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you” (15:5 NLT).

“You hypocrites!” Jesus declares (15:7a). God commands, “Honor your father and mother.” And you, through your “traditions,” make provision to dump your father and mother. And then Jesus exposes their heart problem:

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Matthew 15:7b-9 ESV)

And I can’t help but pause over Isaiah’s warning . . . and consider the Pharisees’ religious, self-serving practices . . . and think of their disregard for God’s word . . . and do a bit of a personal heart examination. I’m thinking it’s pretty easy, for the sake of feeling good about myself, to overlook the Word of God here, and maybe “modify it slightly” there, in order to justify not obeying it as God intended. That for the sake of my own preferences, I can rationalize my practices even if they don’t line up exactly to God’s precepts. That it’s not impossible for me to say all the right things to indicate I’m in relationship with Jesus but to, in reality, have a heart that is far from abiding in Him and His word.

O’ the thought of vain worship frightens me. The idea that I could fool myself into going with the flow of what men deem as okay and forsake the commandments of God causes me to pause and reflect.

But Jesus has the answer to our heart problems. The blood of Christ has paid the price for any wayward traditions. The cross of Christ beckons those who stray to return . . . those who have elevated tradition to reclaim truth . . . those who have a far away heart to draw near. If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).

He fixes hearts problems.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

 

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Above All . . . Enter My Rest

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Pete

The instructions were complete. All that Moses needed to know, he knew. Not as simple as following Ikea instructions, but the building plans for the tabernacle were clear. The place where God would meet with Moses . . . the place where God would dwell among His people . . . that place had been clearly spec’d out and the plans presented.

The tent of meeting . . . the ark of the testimony . . . the mercy seat . . . the furnishings for the tent, the table, lampstand, and altar of incense . . . the altar for the burnt offerings . . . the basin for washing of hands . . . the holy garments of the high priest . . . and the, to be spread overall, anointing oil . . . it all been detailed and delivered. Though “assembly was required,” even there, God had raised up and Spirit empowered men with the skills to construct the tabernacle and bring all the pieces together (Exodus 31:1-11).

All that was left was setting it up and waiting for the glory to come down. But, says God, one more thing . . .

And the LORD said to Moses, “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.
You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you.'”   (Exodus 31:12-14 ESV)

Moses has been on the Mount for days. He has lived and breathed the glory of God, literally. God has revealed to Him in great detail His commands and His plans for moving from the mountain into the people’s midst. And before God lets Moses go, He tells him to tell God’s people, “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths.”

Above all. Really? Above all? Apparently the ESV translators feel those are the right English words to use to indicate how emphatic was the command in the original.

And it struck me. While God might make all the provision that heaven can afford in order to dwell among men, unless men enter His rest, there is no communion. Though God may set a place apart as holy that He might be in their midst, unless men set apart their God as holy, His provision has no benefit. How important is it to cease from our works in order to know His presence? . . . Pretty!

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered Gods rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
(Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV)

The Old Testament Sabbath was a foreshadow of the New Testament reality that there, in fact, remains a rest for the people of God. That futile striving to reach God, or to somehow merit His favor, can cease for He has made full and complete provision for men and women to draw near “in full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:22). Blood has been shed, once for all, to atone for sin and make open the way into the most holy place. The curtain has been torn, from top to bottom, proclaiming God’s invitation to “whosoever will” to enter. The Light of the world shines . . . the Bread of life is available to be eaten . . . the mercy seat is accessible . . . God desires to meet with all men and women as He met with Moses. And so, He says, Above all, keep my Sabbath. Above all . . . enter My rest!

And keep entering! The good news is not a “once and done” dynamic. To be sure, having believed we were sealed by the Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14). And in that sense we entered the rest once for all. But how easy it is to drift away from that rest. To start striving as though we think now it’s up to us. To stop applying the blood as the accuser suggests that our most recent transgression is such failure as to not be covered by the cross. To become lax with setting apart the LORD in our hearts, seeking instead the world’s pleasure as what truly defines our significance.

So to us the ancient words spoken to God’s ancient people still resonate . . . Above all . . . enter My rest!

O’ that His people would see the importance of continually abiding in His rest. Above all.

By grace alone . . . for His glory alone.

 

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He Shall Bear

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Pete

The phrase is repeated four times in Exodus 28. Said it before, said it again, repetition is God’s way of saying, “Listen up!” Also discovered that the phrase is used nowhere else other than in this chapter . . . this portion of Scripture detailing the LORD’s instruction to Moses about the garments of the high priest. And as I hovered over these verses I felt compelled to highlight them with one of my colored pencils. But which one? I don’t have a color for high priest . . . or do I? And so I highlighted these four occurrences of the phrase with the same highlighting I use for Jesus, the Christ. For He shall bear . . .

And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for remembrance. (Exodus 28:12 ESV)

So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD. And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aarons heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly. (Exodus 28:29-30 ESV)

You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the LORD.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aarons forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD. (Exodus 28:38 ESV)

The LORD is giving Moses instruction for the building of the tabernacle. The tent of meeting where, above the mercy seat, God would meet with Moses and speak with him. The place that would be sanctified by God’s glory and where, in condescending grace, He would determine to meet with the people of Israel. He would dwell among His people and His people would know He is the LORD their God, their Deliverer who brought them out of Egypt that “I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God (Ex. 29:42-46).

And integral to the operational dynamic of the tabernacle would be Aaron the high priest. While Moses would be permitted direct access, the people’s access would be through Aaron. He would be their conduit. He would be their advocate. He would be their intercessor. And the LORD declares, four times, “Aaron shall bear . . . “

He would bear their names on His shoulders. He would bear God’s judgment and God’s will for them over his heart. And he would bear their guilt upon his head. All that the people might be “accepted before the LORD.”

And while I know that there are depths to be plumbed here, even just dipping my toe into the water’s edge of this shadow of our great High Priest stirs the heart with awe and adoration.

We have such a high priest. One who bears our name before the throne of God in heaven. On His shoulders, the great Shepherd carries those He has called by Name, and who, by grace through regeneration, know His Name. On His heart, He brings His people to remembrance, interceding for them. The great Shepherd leading them in the ways and will of the Father. Leading them beside still waters and to green pastures.

And on His head, the Great Shepherd having humbled Himself to become the Lamb of God, has borne our guilt once for all. The sacrifice of atonement having been offered on Calvary’s cross . . . the blood able to cleanse us from all sin. And through, and in Him, we too are permitted access into the holy of holies.

That the LORD God might be our God . . . and we, His people . . . He shall bear.

To Him be all glory.

 

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The Treasure of the Kingdom

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Pete

Thinking about treasure this morning. Not just about acquiring it, but also what we’re to do with it. But the treasure I’m considering this morning is not gold or silver, but something far more valuable and longer lasting. And far from keeping it locked up and hidden away, it’s to be opened and accessed . . . and by implication, shared with others. That’s what we’re to do with the treasure of the kingdom.

Wrapping up my reading in Matthew 13 this morning. Jesus has been revealing truths and dynamics concerning the kingdom of heaven through parables. “Mystery stories.” Not as in “whodunnit?” But as in “whogetsit?” Simple stories grounded in relatable experience that carry a meaning and insight concerning a dimension only accessible by faith. Insights beyond the reach of those with hard hearts of unbelief, but illumination concerning a kingdom which, though sourced in heaven, operates within the hearts of men and women who believe. As such, revealing spiritual reality to those with “ears to hear.”

And Jesus disciples had such ears. “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear,” said Jesus to His own, “For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matt. 13:16-17). And so, Jesus peppers them with parables. Telling them multiple stories, all beginning with the phrase, “the kingdom of heaven is like.”

And as Jesus concludes His Matthew 13 round of “story telling,” He asks His disciples a simple question and then gives them a profound lesson in stewardship. He tells them what they are to do with the treasure of the kingdom.

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:51-52 ESV)

They were getting it. It would be awhile before they fully understood the depths of it, but they were getting it. And Jesus said that every truth their “ears to hear” received, every dynamic they “eyes to see” saw, every byte of data concerning the kingdom their hearts were able to store, that it was all to be regarded as gold, silver, and precious stones. That, like the scribes who had carefully handled the ancient Scriptures — particularly those like Ezra who had “set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10) — they were to regard their degree of understanding as a solemn and privileged stewardship.

They were to regard themselves as heads of households accessing their treasure, both the old and the new, so that the household needs would be met . . . and that the members of the house might be fed . . . and that the family might be nurtured to maturity and productivity . . . and that those outside the family might be reached with the good news of the kingdom.

So too, for those who, by God’s grace, have ears to hear, we are, in a sense, like a “scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven.” Said by Jesus TO His disciples . . . preserved by the Holy Spirit FOR us. And, as such, we are to be ready to access our treasures of knowledge, insight, and Holy Spirit revealed understanding. Treasure not to be regarded as something of our own intelligence or diligence, but gems freely given by the Spirit of illumination and revelation. Gems, both old and new, to be shared. We, as grace trained scribes, and grace compelled stewards, ready to share the gospel with all who have ears to hear.

That’s what we’re to do with the treasure of the kingdom.

For His glory . . .

 

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Blessed Eyes and Blessed Ears

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Pete

Many are the benefits of God’s grace. If God extended nothing but mercy for our sin, forgiving our sins on the merit of the once for all paid sacrifice of His Son that would be more than enough to thank Him for throughout eternity. But God, in His great love, has determined to extend more than mercy.

Mercy but primes the pump of abundant, over-flowing grace. Forgiven, yes! But then clothed with the righteousness of another? Sealed with the Third Person of the Godhead? The curtain removed so that we might access the holy of holies? Invited to not only worship in His presence but to abide with Him in intimate communion? Yes! Yes! Yes! And Yes! And more! Many are the benefits of God’s grace.

And this morning I was reminded of another of those benefits as I read in Matthew 13.

Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And He answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance . . . blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”   (Matthew 13:10-12a, 16-17 ESV)

Said TO Jesus’ disciples. Recorded FOR all those who would become disciples through faith in the gospel. And so, this morning, I’m feeling like a man of blessed eyes and blessed ears.

Add it to the list of the benefits of grace. Eyes, once blind to the things of God, that now perceive the glory of God all about — in both creation, and in situation. Ears once stone-deaf to the sounds of life beyond this earth, now attuned to the rhythm of heaven as it calls us to consider things above even while we deal with things below. Once registering a zero KQ, Kingdom Quotient, now given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven . . . and that, in abundance!

Blessed eyes . . . blessed ears.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a persons thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (1Corinthians 2:9-12 ESV)

We have been given eyes and ears to understand the things freely given us by God. And the more we take in . . . the more we receive and believe . . . the more which will be given. And, says the Lord, we will have “an abundance.” Not because of who we are . . . but because of who He is. Not because of what we can do . . . but because of all He has done. All as a result of over-flowing grace.

Many are the benefits of God’s grace. Eyes that see and ears that hear being among them. Amen?

To God be the glory!

 

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Praising Him in the Storm

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Pete

I pulled this one out of the archives. After reading Psalm 29 this morning, I sat back and hovered over the command, “Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” And, as I’m noodling on it, I thought I must have written some thoughts down concerning this magnificent psalm sometime in the past. Yup, I did. Back in 2010. I’ve pulled it out . . . brushed it off . . . and touched it up. Five years later, I’m again intrigued by the thought of praising Him in the storm . . .

It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a good thunderstorm . . . a while since I took advantage of a wall-rattling storm to just sit and listen and watch. There is something about sitting there anticipating the next peal of thunder as it rolls in and then explodes overhead . . . about watching the sky, waiting for the next time it lights up . . . about witnessing a bolt of lightning connect the heavens to the earth. Have you ever seen the lighting and then started to count as you waited for the thunder . . . only to not even get to “two” before your house is hammered with what seems like a sonic boom? It’s kind of scary! . . . and kind of exhilarating! . . . all at the same time. But you know, for all those times I took to “enjoy” a good thunderstorm, I never once wrote a song of praise because of it. David didn’t waste the opportunity.

I’m reading Psalm 29 this morning. Seven times in these 11 verses David describes “the voice of the Lord.”

“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders . . . the voice of the LORD is powerful . . . the voice of the LORD is full of majesty . . . The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars . . . The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire . . . The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness . . . The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare . . . ”    (Psalm 29:3-9 ESV)

Awesome! It makes me think of some of those hot summer night thunder and lightning storms we experienced when we lived in the interior of B.C.. You knew you were witnessing raw power unleashed from the sky. Oh, had I only had my head more in the game, such storms would have also been opportunities to recognize something of the power of God. Then I too, just as David did, could have praised Him in the storm.

David’s response to bone rattling-thunder and eye-blinding lightning was to call all of heaven to a worship meeting.

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. . . . and in His temple all cry, “Glory!”   (Psalm 29:1-2,9b ESV)

Talk about creating your perfect environment for a worship concert. The all natural light show . . . the special effects . . . the hammering, low frequency bass sounds emanating from a cloud constructed sub-woofer. All creating the perfect venue as the participants look toward the heavens and to the Author of the “production” and declare, “It’s time to give Him glory!” David saw in the storm the power of God . . . the majesty of God . . . and rather than analyze the physical phenomenon in terms of barometric pressures and such, he instead responded with worship.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Oh, how I love that thought! There’s the idea of the holy beauty of the dwelling place of God . . . that inner sanctuary . . . that place “behind the curtain.” That place where no defiled thing is permitted . . . or could even exist. The glory of God so present that it ushers out anything contrary to His holy, holy, holy nature.

But there’s also a thought here of the worshiper, himself, being adorned in the splendor of holy garments. I can respond to David’s call this morning and worship in the splendor of holiness because of the garments I’ve been given in Christ. My sin atoned for . . . the stain of rebellion washed away by the blood of the Lamb . . . the rags of sin exchanged for a robe of righteousness. In Him, I reside in the splendor of holiness . . . in Him, I reflect the splendor of holiness . . . in Him, I have unrestricted access into the splendor of holiness, the holy of holies, that I might give unto the Lord the glory due His name. I’m all dressed up and have a place to go! I too, can praise Him in the storm.

Can’t wait for the next big thunder and lightning storm. May it be a call to worship.

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

 

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A Homing Instinct

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Pete

Paul stands in the midst of the Areopagus and addresses the philosophers and “religious” men of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). His eye had taken in the objects of their worship . . . and his spirit was exasperated at the folly of such “smart guys” thinking that “the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.” What foolishness! But one thing these idols did indicate, is that these men had a homing instinct.

Paul, in his dissertation as to the identity of “the unknown god,” provides a masterful summary of the dynamics put in play by “the God who made the world and everything in it.” He explains that this God is the Lord of heaven and earth and, as such, doesn’t live in temples made by man. Nor is He dependent on human hands to meet His needs and satisfies His appetites. In fact, this God is supreme . . . He the genesis of everything else. He is the One who, in Himself, gives life and sustaining breath to all mankind. This is not some puny fake god that is put on a shelf or encased in a shrine. But Paul’s God, as declared by the prophet Isaiah, is a God whose throne is heaven, and the earth is His footstool (Isa. 66:1). And as such, He has put within the heart of men a homing instinct.

And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us . . .   (Acts 17:26-27 ESV)

That they should seek God. That they should pursue their homing instinct.

Creation bearing testimony to all men that something greater than themselves exists. The heavens stirring the souls of all people to have an innate sense of a dynamic that exists beyond just their five senses. Though creation testifies of a Creator, and though they seek God, and though He is “actually not far from each one of us,” they are blindfolded by sin. Like children playing pin the tail on the donkey, they wander towards something in hope of hitting the mark and securing some sort of benefit, but don’t know exactly where it is or what the prize could be.

Enter “the Man.”

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.   (Acts 17:30-31 ESV)

Turn your eyes away from your idols and altars and look to the Man, to the One who has conquered death. Take off the blindfold and gaze intently on Him who, through the validation of resurrection, can be believed when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Stop groping aimlessly, arrogantly relying on your own ingenuity and intuition, and confess that you are blinded by sin and in need of a Savior who can give sight to the blind. Humble yourselves before the God of heaven and believe that the One He has sent to “judge the world in righteousness” has also paid the price for the world’s unrighteousness. And that, for all who believe, there is no condemnation because they are in Christ Jesus the Righteous One (Rom. 8:1).

O’, how hard men and women have worked at suppressing their homing instinct. Many not seeking any god, but instead setting themselves up as their own idols. Others refusing to acknowledge in their head what they sense to be true in their hearts.

But for those who, by God’s grace, have heard the call to come home, and have responded by faith, to them belongs the prize . . . life to the full. Knowing abiding communion with the Creator, because of the finished work of the cross through His Son. Fully assured of eternity in His presence . . . confident they’re going home.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

 

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So They Did

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Pete

Working my way through Exodus. Reading of the escalating signs performed by the LORD through Moses to try and convince a hard-hearted Pharaoh to let His people go. And, as perhaps expected, my focus has been on Moses and Pharaoh . . . and, to be honest, probably more on Pharaoh. He’s in a game of chicken that he can’t win. He has set his “car” on a collision course with the God of the universe and refuses to take his foot off the gas. Don’t know exactly what he’s thinking, but despite the indisputable signs and wonders performed in the land, Pharaoh’s determined not to swerve. And I know that God has hardened his heart . . . and that he has hardened his heart . . . but it’s just jaw-dropping to read of his arrogance and stubbornness even as Egypt is literally torn down around him.

But this morning, a sentence jumped off the page that reminded me that, beyond Moses and the collective obstinacy of the Egyptians, there’s a third group of people who are part of this drama playing out, the people of Israel.

Remember them? Having grown into a great multitude they had been forced into hard labor by the Egyptians as a preventive measure against any inclination toward insurrection. It was with their elders that Moses met with and told of the LORD’s plan to deliver them. And they liked what they heard, “and the people believed” (Ex. 4:31). But that belief was short-lived when, after Moses’ first meeting with Egypt’s king, Pharaoh turns up the heat on his Israelite workforce requiring them to hit their production numbers amidst impossible demands. Then, these once believing elders track down Moses and curse him, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us” (Ex. 5:21)

So that’s Moses’ starting point . . . angry, hard-hearted Pharaoh . . . angry, disheartened people. Great! The LORD has everybody exactly where He wants them.

Fast forward a few plagues and Moses is telling these same people about God’s Passover plan. Quite an incredible story of God’s plan to send an angel of death to strike the firstborn of all Egypt. And that, to avoid the disaster, they were to take a lamb, . . . a lamb without blemish, and kill it. They were then to apply its blood to the door frames of their houses so that, when the LORD passed through to strike the Egyptians, He would see the the blood on house and would pass over that door, not allowing the destroyer to strike that house. That was the plan. That’s it. Angel of death coming . . . kill a lamb and put some blood on the doorframe . . . all will be well. So, how do the Israelites respond?

And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
(Exodus 12:27b-28 ESV)

So they did. With heads bowed in awe . . . and hearts lifted in worship . . . the people heard the plan, believed the plan, and so they did the plan. And while I know this motley group would not be the most consistent testimony of faith, for right now, they believed and so they did.

So, while the drama of the plagues was primarily a showdown between a stubborn king and a sent deliverer, it also played out in the hearts of a desperate people to produce, quite literally, a saving faith. They believed God was able to do what He said He would do that night, and so they obeyed. They believed that if God said to apply the blood then all they needed to do was to apply the blood. While there had been much collateral damage in Egypt throughout the showdown, there had also been a lot of collateral faith building throughout God’s people.

That’s how our God works. And that’s why His people respond the way they do.

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

 

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Evidence of Friendship

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Pete

We got a bit relationally messed up when we moved down to the States 11+ years ago. We had been warned by an expert in U.S./Canadian cultural differences that we might encounter it.

In general, she said, Americans were more open about the stuff they’d talk about to acquaintances than were Canadians. To share such “stuff’ in Canada was a pretty good indicator that you were “going deep” with someone and were developing a real friendship. Not so much, down here. Here, we were told, you could be thinking you were becoming “best buds” because of what you and someone else were sharing, only to find that the next day they had forgotten your name. (Not a good / bad or right /wrong thing . . . just a cultural difference thing). Thus, on more than one occasion, the girls, or even Sue and I, would think we were connecting with someone only to find out, we weren’t. Ouch! Took awhile to get used to that.

But the fact of the matter is, depending on the culture, what we share with someone else, and what they share with us, is a pretty good indicator of the depth of friendship that is being developed. Reminded of that this morning as I read the Twenty-Fifth Psalm.

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.   (Psalm 25:14 ESV)

And check it out in the NASB, or NKJV . . .

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.   (Psalm 25:14 NKJV)

And here’s the verse in the NIV . . .

The LORD confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.   (Psalm 25:14 NIV)

The word at the center of the difference in translations literally refers to “a session.” The idea is that of a company of people in close deliberation. It implies intimacy, consultation, a sharing of secret things. Not a word, I’m guessing, that is used to describe casual acquaintances. But one that refers to those who have gone beneath the surface in revealing themselves. So, you can kind of see why some translations emphasize the sharing of a secret, while the ESV emphasizes the implication, that this is something done among friends. That the sharing of secret things is evidence of friendship.

Ok . . . so after reconciling the translation difference, time to pause . . . and noodle on it . . . and then sit back in fresh awe and wonder.

That the LORD . . . that Jehovah . . . that “the existing One” . . . would enter into intimate, secret-sharing, covenant revealing relationship with anyone speaks of the depths of the love of God and of the unbelievable privilege extended to man. That He would, as it were, extend such friendship to those once in rebellion, to those who really have nothing to bring to the relationship, testifies anew to the abundant grace that flows from Heaven’s Throne.

Think about it. Everything we know about God . . . whatever understanding we have as to His ways . . . to whatever degree we have believed and appropriated His promises . . . it all testifies to the intimate nature of the relationship the Father desires with us. These things are not known because of how bright we are . . . or how well we were raised . . . or even how much we’ve studied the Scriptures. But these things are, ultimately, known by us because of the friendship of the LORD. Because He has chosen to “confide” in us. Because He has determined to share the secrets of the things of the kingdom with us.

We know God to the degree we know God, because He has revealed Himself to us. Because He, through the finished work of His Son on the cross, and by the active agency of His Spirit on the earth, extends to us His friendship.

Can anyone say, “Unbelievable!” How about, “Thank You, LORD!”

That is the “culture” of the kingdom. For those who humble themselves in reverent awe before Him, He draws them into “conversation,” revealing Himself and His friendship to us. And guess what? He doesn’t forget our name the next day!

Let us praise His name forever!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

 

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