My Morning Meal

My thoughts go back to the days of canning. That time of year when fruits and vegetables were prepped and then packed into glass Mason jars. As I recall it, there were three key components to making sure that was canned didn’t spoil. What put the “preserve” in the preservatives was the canning liquid poured in, the heat applied, and the seal created. Get those three things right and, it seemed, those fruits and vegetables could sit on those shelves forever . . . though they never lasted that long. This morning, something I read has me thinking about the soul’s preservative.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,”Yet a little while, and the coming One will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.   (Hebrews 10:36-39 ESV)

The book of Hebrews declares the supremacy and superiority of Christ for the purpose of restoring and renewing the believers’ holy determination to keep on keeping on. These Hebrew brothers and sisters were taking it in the teeth for their faith. Their arms were growing tired with carrying the banner . . . their feet were growing blistered from running the race . . . the glory of the prize set before them blurred because of the sweat and tears in their eyes . . . and they were wavering with turning back to that which, would in part, ease some of the opposition. And so, for them, Christ and the implications of His death, resurrection, and ascension are presented to encourage them to persevere. And in so doing, to “preserve their souls.”

You’ll only find that translation in the ESV and NASB. In other translations it’s the “saving of the soul.” But, based on my set of helps, preserving probably is the more literal and accurate translation. While it was by faith we WERE saved, it is also by faith that WE ARE BEING saved, or, in a sense, preserving the soul. Faith then, in a sense, is the canning liquid of our souls. Faith is our soul preservative.

Life provides the heat . . . more than we want sometimes. The Holy Spirit has been given as the unfailing seal (Eph. 1:13). And faith, in a sense, is the surrounding atmosphere that maintains the vitality of the inner man.

All the truth concerning Christ, His person, and His work, has little value unless it is mixed with faith (Heb. 4:2). The promises of God are of no effect if not applied. But when the truth of God . . . and the promises of God . . . are received and believed by faith, they have a way of preserving the soul. When the “fluid of faith” envelopes the believer, then what’s happening in the “here and now” is placed in the context of what will be “there and then.” Trials are put in the context of testing and refining. The pressures of life are submerged in the promises of God.

And it plays out at the most practical and fundamental of levels. I believe the Bible is the Word of God . . . and so I read it . . . and am transformed by the renewing of my mind. I believe that God hears and answers prayer . . . and so I speak into an empty room . . . and know a peace that passes understanding. I believe that God is Sovereign . . . and so every circumstance has His fingerprints on it . . . and I submit to it, and rest in His ever-present care. Truth . . . mixed with faith . . . becomes the preserving agent for the soul.

O’, that I would be of “those who have faith.” That faith would be my soul preservative.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

There is cleaning, and then there is deep cleaning. It’s one thing to dust, it’s another to disinfect. You can make the place look pretty good by stuffing things in the closets or drawers, but the real test comes when the drawers and closets themselves have been put in order. You can vacuum and keep the carpets looking pretty good, but eventually, you are going to need to wash them . . . apply some heat and steam . . . and maybe some brushes . . . and remove the junk that doesn’t just lie towards the surface.

As I continue to read in Hebrews this morning, I’m reminded that while the blood shed under the old covenant might have provided a cleansing, that the blood of Christ, shed to seal the new covenant, provides a deep clean.

For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.    (Hebrews 9:13-14 ESV)

The blood shed under the Levitical sacrifices cleansed the surface. It paid the price for the sin and removed the blemish through atonement . . . until next time . . .when it was shed and applied again . . . and again. But it was powerless to cleanse the sinner. While it cleaned up, in a sense, the outer mess, the inner man was still in bondage to trying to live by a law that, by his very nature, he could not live up to. Thus, the need for a better covenant . . . based on a better promise . . . sealed through a better sacrifice. Thus the need for a deep clean.

Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!    (John 1:29 ESV)

The blood of Christ . . . the incarnate Son of God . . . was offered through the eternal Spirit . . . as the once for all payment for all mankind’s sin. And for those who, by faith, apply that blood to their lives, there occurs a deep, deep clean. The conscience, purified . . . the soul, cleansed . . . the very nature of our being, disinfected . . . the old mess, given a new order. While the outside might not look a lot different, the inside has undergone a radical transformation.

And though the functionality of a house might not change a lot after a deep clean (though it might) . . . or the performance of a car doesn’t necessarily improve after a thorough, bumper-to-bumper detailing, the deep clean of a soul results in the lifting of a burden and in the redirecting of one’s energy.

The guilt of sin and the shame of “dead works” are removed. Not just covered up, but washed away through the blood of Christ as He bore the guilt and shame for our sin before a holy God on our behalf. There is no more condemnation (Rom. 8:1) for the price has been paid in full . . . for all my sin . . . even the deepest, darkest, of transgressions . . . even those most hidden away in the depths of our conscience. And when, through the Spirit of God, we come to a fuller and fuller realization of the depths of our cleansing . . . when the dead weight of those dead works is more and more removed as we appropriate more and more the finished work of the cross . . . then we become increasingly free to serve the living God.

And there is a redirecting of energy . . . a reassessing of priorities . . . a recalibrating of purpose. How amazing is it to think we can serve the living God? Pretty!

All because of a deep clean . . . by a great God!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

To be honest, I’m not much of an adventurer. Not too jazzed by the thought of being an explorer . . . of walking into a place or situation totally unfamiliar to me . . . of the thought of “boldly going where no man has gone before.” Not me. I prefer to have someone else have been there, done that . . . to have had a scout go on ahead and then prepare me for what lies ahead. Maybe that’s why I was grabbed by something I read this morning concerning Jesus . . . maybe that’s why my soul is stirred as I consider that He is my Forerunner.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV)

The writer to the Hebrews says we have an anchor for the soul . . . a sure and steadfast anchor . . . an anchor built upon the promises of God . . . a God who cannot lie . . . a God with an unchanging purpose (6:13-18). We have His word . . . and His word is sure. That anchor is the hope of one day “entering into the inner place” . . . the place behind the curtain, a reference to the tabernacle of old where the inner curtain cordoned off the Most Holy Place . . . the place where the glory of God dwelt . . . the place where only the high priest could enter, and that but once a year to offer atoning sacrifice.

But our anchor for the soul is the promise of an immutable God that we too can enter the inner place. But I’m not much of an explorer . . . and, after all, who do I think I am that I should presume to enter such a holy place?

Actually, it’s not about who I think I am . . . but the conclusion I have come to, by faith, as to who Jesus is.

I believe the testimony of God’s inspired word . . . that Jesus was the incarnate Son of God . . . that, in freely submitting to His enemies, He fulfilled God’s plan that He should be the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world . . . that, on the third day, He rose from the grave as Victor over sin and death . . . that He ascended back into heaven . . . and, as such, He has become the Forerunner into “the inner place behind the curtain.” He is the “scout gone ahead” for all who believe and have owned Him as Lord and Savior. As such, even now, He intercedes for His people as the eternal High Priest.

Therefore, while I might be anxious about adventuring to many places in this world, there is an amazing calm about someday traveling beyond this world. I don’t know all that it will entail, but I do know the One who has “run ahead” . . . who has gone before . . . who, is even now, preparing a place for me (John 14:1-4).

A sure and steadfast anchor for the soul . . . a Savior who leads the way . . . a Forerunner into the holy of holies that I might one day follow.

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

I’m reading Hebrews 5 this morning and I can’t help but think how dull I can be at times concerning the incarnation of Christ. The babe in the manger . . . the Lamb of God on the cross. Not that I don’t appreciate it . . . not that I’m not in awe of it . . . but that I become so comfortable with it that I fail to fully enter into what it meant for Jesus, God Himself, to become flesh and enter the human experience. This morning’s reading helped stoke the fire of wonder of Immanuel . . . God with us!!

In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. (Hebrews 5:7-8 ESV)

“The days of His flesh” . . . that’s how the ESV refers to Jesus’ time on earth. The God who is spirit determines to be bound by flesh and blood. The eternal Creator enters the arena of His creation, The inexhaustible King of Kings becomes a servant who sleeps at night in order to toil by day. And I’m reminded that He who was used to receiving the prayers of His people, put Himself in a position where He “offered up” His own prayers and supplications . . . in godly fear, passionately and desperately, crying out to the One able to save Him from death. Talk about your role reversal.

And then think about the fact that the Son of God was heard because of His reverence. He so fully entered into the human reality, that He, Himself, stood on earth and looked up . . . humbling Himself with godly fear as He peered towards the throne in heaven with His name on it. He was in big trouble and so he cried out. Only One could help Him and with godly fear . . . with reverential submission . . . in the full awareness of how big and awesome God is and how small man is in comparison . . . He prayed . . . just like any other man or woman would cast themselves before their God. Can I really fathom what is was for the Son of God to cry out to heaven with godly fear? Isn’t it really beyond understanding how He could so fully enter into my experience without leveraging any of His “favored status” as the Prince of Glory and the Bright and Morning Star?

And then the kicker! Omniscient God . . . All-Knowing God . . . the Source of all Understanding . . . this same God “learned obedience” by the things which He suffered. He who created the human experience determined to fully experience it Himself. Ok . . . so go figure that one out! I can’t . . . I don’t understand it . . . I only know that it’s true . . . I know that I have a High Priest who can sympathize with my struggles and weakness and provide help in time of need because He is “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.2:18, 4:15). In His Sovereign counsels He determined it necessary to participate in something that could only be experientially known by being “in flesh.” In His infinite wisdom He determined that a piece was missing from the puzzle and that it could only be put in place by learning obedience through suffering. He purposed that perfection . . . completeness . . . could only be achieved through Immanuel.

And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him . . . (Hebrews 5:9 ESV)

My God, in the Person of the Son, became flesh . . . with no “hidden helps” . . . so that He might be the author of eternal salvation (NKJV). Oh . . . how could I ever be casual in my consideration of “the days of His flesh?” Oh, the depths to which God went in order to redeem my soul!!! May I never take for granted what it meant for Jesus to make Himself of “no reputation” . . . to take the form of a bondservant . . . to come in the likeness of man . . . to humble Himself and become obedient . . . obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Php. 2:7-8)

Thank You O’ Source of My Salvation for the days of Your flesh. That by entering my experience, I might, through Your overflowing grace, enter Yours!

To You be all glory!

This morning I was reminded of an invitation extended to me. Some invitations I might expect . . . such as an invite to a family reunion . . . or to attend a concert being put on by a favorite southern gospel quartet. But the invitation I’m pondering anew this morning is one extended not because it makes sense based on who I am, but it is an invitation extended because of another . . . of who He is . . . and what He has done.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.   (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

The invitation is to draw near to a throne. To approach the seat of a sovereign. To ascend to the footstool of a chair of power, and authority, and majesty. And, to do it with confidence. To come with boldness . . . to come with assurance of acceptance . . . to come openly and frankly . . . to come cheerfully, with freedom, and without fear.

And it’s not just the throne of any sovereign but of The Sovereign. It is the throne of heaven . . . occupied by the God of heaven . . . surrounded by the host of heaven which proclaim, night and day, His unfathomable glory. And I’ve been sent an invite . . . to elbow my way, as it were, through the legions of angels . . . and, by faith, and through the active agency of the Holy Spirit, draw near with confidence to this throne.

Who am I to be extended such an invitation? Wrong question. Rather who is He who extends such an invitation?

By the throne stands my great High Priest.

Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.    (Hebrews 4:14-15 ESV)

Jesus, the Son of God, extends the invitation. He addresses it to me . . . written in red. His blood shed that my sins might be forgiven. Suffering death that I might live forever. Risen the third day . . . and then ascending through the heavens . . . making way for all who believe to follow. Clothing us in garments of His righteousness that we might enter into the presence of a holy, holy, holy God.

Interceding even now at the Father’s right hand, knowing my failings as I seek, by His power, to put off the old man and learn to wear my new garments. And thus, He makes the throne of God not one to fear, as in a throne of judgment . . . but one to confidently draw near to as a throne of grace.

That’s the invitation! To ascend . . . to approach freely and fearlessly . . . to boldly draw near to the throne of Him who so loved us that He sent His Son to redeem us. To know daily the all sufficient grace which not only “saved a wretch like me” . . . but the all sufficient grace which will “lead me home.” Grace ministered through a faithful Advocate . . . One who took on Himself flesh and blood . . . was in all ways tempted as we are . . . yet without sin. And so, is able to sympathize . . . and able to revitalize.

I just need to act on the invitation.

Just as I am without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come

Although it might be somewhat counter-intuitive, it’s a well known fact that, sometimes, you need to fight fire with fire. That you need to set a fire in order to extinguish a fire. That you need to burn stuff in order that more stuff might not be burned. Thinking about fires this morning because one of my daughters is under a fire evacuation. Her and her husband have had to leave the lodge they manage in northern California as the Happy Camp fire there continues to move and grow. Appreciate your prayers. Pretty sure the firefighters will do everything within their power and within the limits of safety to deal with that fire . . . even if it means setting another fire.

But this morning, as I continue reading in Hebrews, I’m reminded that Jesus cast off all thoughts of personal safety as He too fought fire with fire . . . or in, His case, death with death.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.    (Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV)

You can’t blame them for struggling with the concept of Jesus as Messiah. Messiah was to be the descendent of David, ascending to the throne on Mt. Zion, to rule over an eternal kingdom. Messiah was to be the deliverer . . . and the model for “deliverer-ship” was Moses . . . complete with the power of God come down . . . and the Red Sea parted. Messiah was to be the benefactor of God’s ancient people, Israel, reigning OVER them in majesty and authority . . . not living WITH them under Roman rule. He was to be, as I’ve just read in Hebrews, the manifestation of God’s glory, Himself. So what were they to make of Jesus?

What they missed was the other side of the prophetic coin. That though He would be crowned with glory and honor, He first had to be made a little lower than the angels, as all men are. For what purpose? For the suffering of death . . . “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (2:7-14). So that, through the power of God manifest in flesh, He might destroy the one who has power over death. And so, our Savior fought death with death.

Those on the frontlines of that fire this morning are no doubt taking risk and placing themselves in danger. But they have their evacuation protocols as well. The fire is not worth their lives and they will leave if, and when, it’s necessary. Not so with my LORD.

There was no fallback plan . . . He came to do the Father’s will . . . and there would be no retreat. The Son of God would become God incarnate . . . and would be made like the creation, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God (2:17). And, in that priestly duty, would “make propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17) . . . offering Himself as the all-sufficient sacrifice to appease the just wrath of a holy God. And thus, He would take way the accuser’s advantage . . . for “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Thus He would destroy the power of physical death . . . and the blindness of spiritual death . . . and the holy requirement for a second death, eternal separation from God. Thus, He would provide a great deliverance for all who believe.

Sometimes you need to fight fire with fire. God so love the world that He determined to fight death with death.

O’ what a Savior . . . to Him be all glory, honor, and praise!

I try and be a good listener . . . but I don’t always hear. More than once I’ve been tuned out when one of my girls has been talking to me. They speak . . . I’m distracted . . . nothing gets through. But I remember once one of my daughters, not sure which one, having something very important for me to hear, grabbed my chin . . . turned my face towards hers . . . made sure we made eye-to-eye contact . . . and said, “Focus, Dad!” Let’s just say the streams of communication flowed freely during that conversation. That incident came to mind as I came across a warning I’d do well to heed. Focus!

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 
(Hebrews 2:1 ESV)

By it’s very nature, drifting away is not usually a purpose-driven, intentional act . . . it’s the result of going with the flow. It’s giving oneself to the prevailing currents . . . it’s being focused on one set of priorities only to find that, with little effort on your part, you’ve ended up somewhere you had no intention of being. That was the danger faced by these Hebrews who had heard the gospel of freedom and life but were allowing their focus to be drawn again to the law of bondage and death. Pay attention, says the writer . . . pay MUCH CLOSER attention, is the exhortation . . . in other words, Focus!

Though written TO them, the warning is also written FOR us . . . written for me this morning. Give more earnest heed to things we have heard (NKJV) . . . apply more effort to it than to other things . . . give it higher priority than other priorities . . . focus on it above the focus other things compete for. Heed the truths spoken of and by the Son of Man . . . bring near the things of the kingdom of heaven . . . turn your mind to the wonder and fullness of the implications of the gospel, the power of God for salvation to all who believe . . . salvation past, salvation future, and most importantly, right now, salvation present! Focus Dad!

And as for [the seed that] fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.   (Luke 8:14 ESV)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.    (1Tim. 6:10 ESV)

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.    (2Peter 2:20 ESV)

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the One who enlisted him.   (2Tim. 2:4 ESV)

The cares of life can choke out the seed of life so that the fruit of our life is anemic. The pursuit of present wealth can, so often, result in a wandering away from investing in the incorruptible, unimaginable eternal inheritance that awaits us in His presence. The trappings of the world can so entangle us . . . and overcome us . . . that it results in a misery worse than if we had never “tasted and seen the Lord is good.” But, beyond the self-preservation afforded by paying more careful attention to the things we have heard, perhaps the greatest motivation to “focus” is to please the One who called us to Himself to run the race for His glory.

Kind of feeling the hand of Jesus grasping my chin this morning . . . turning my face towards His . . . seeking my eyes of faith to focus on Him, and Him alone . . . and hearing Him say through the Spirit, “Focus!”

Yes LORD . . . by Your grace . . . for Your glory . . .