Myrtle

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Pete

Sometimes you find prophecy fulfilled where you least expect it. This morning I found it in a name. A name that jumped off the page when I read it. An ancient name . . . a former name . . . a name, mentioned only in passing, as it had been replaced with a new name. But a few minutes lingering over the name . . . and doing a bit of online concordance work . . . and it is a name that shouts out the glory of a Sovereign, promise fulfilling God!

Here’s the prophecy . . .

I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.   (Isaiah 41:19-20 ESV)

Though the prophet was called to proclaim judgment on an unfaithful people, he was also given words of consolation and assurance that the God who disciplined them would not forsake them. That though they would be given over to exile, they would not be forgotten in a foreign land. That though they would know a wilderness experience . . . though they would, once again, spend decades in a desert reality . . . that God would care for them and would protect them . . . so that they would “consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this.”

That provision would be through trees planted in the desert that had no business being there. God’s reminder of His ever-present care would be found in the wilderness through the beauty of out-of-place vegetation like the “the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.” And this morning I found some myrtle . . . the fulfilling of a prophetic promise in the least likely of places. I found Hadassah.

Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai . . . who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. So when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women.    (Esther 2:5-8 ESV)

We know her, most commonly as Esther, her Persian name. But when she was born in the land of exile, when she drew her first breath in the barren land of God’s discipline, her parents had given her the name Hadassah, or literally, “myrtle.” She would be the beautiful flowering tree that had no place taking root and growing strong in the desert. Through the story of “Myrtle,” though God’s name would not be explicitly mentioned, it would be evident that the “hand of God” was present and active . . . His people would know that “the Holy One of Israel” had created a flowing tree to rise up as a shining star (Esther means star) in order to protect His beloved people.

Hadassah. What’s in a name? Lots!

It brings to mind another Name. A Name I love to hear . . . and love to speak it’s worth . . . it sounds like music in my ear . . . the sweetest Name on earth. A Name that also brings to remembrance thoughts of God’s great provision . . . of His never-forsaking presence . . . of His unceasing power . . . of His everlasting presence . . . and of His wilderness reviving promise. That sweet, sweet name of Jesus . . . hinted at by finding a bit of “myrtle” in a foreign land. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

To Him be all glory . . .

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The Guest of Sinners

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Pete

So . . . maybe I’ve been focusing on the wrong stuff when I come to the story of Zacchaeus, the rich chief tax collector, recorded in Luke 19. Typically he captures my imagination as this short and stubby guy with a sly, greedy grin plastered on his face as he extorts money from his own people. I wonder at the depths of the work of the Spirit in him as he throws caution to the wind in order to seek Jesus. Dignified businessmen, and not so dignified tax collectors, don’t typically hoist up their garments and run through a crowd . . . and certainly, you wouldn’t typically find them climbing trees. I’m often challenged by Zacchaeus’s intense desire to see Jesus. I have often thought I would benefit from the same “go all out” attitude to knowing the Savior.

But maybe I’ve been focusing on the wrong stuff for years. While the actions of Zacchaeus are “fun” to imagine, and the zeal of Zacchaeus is inspirational to imitate, maybe the point of the story is better captured by whoever “they” were that witnessed the Zacchaeus / Jesus encounter.

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” (Luke 19:5-7 ESV)

As amusing as thinking about Zacchaeus running and climbing a tree is, how amazing is it that Jesus says, “I must stay at your house today?” How incredible is it that the great I AM would want to be the guest of man who is a sinner?” Kind of amazing . . . pretty incredible!

I don’t know who the “they” were, exactly, who were choked that Jesus would desire to visit with Zacchaeus. Not unprecedented that it would be the scribes and Pharisees (Luke 15:2), but not inconceivable that it was the crowd at large . . . those who had flocked to see Jesus themselves . . . those who would have no love lost for such a man as Zacchaeus. But whoever “they” are, I think they got the real significance of the Zacchaeus / Jesus encounter . . . that Jesus goes to be the guest of sinners. Unreal!

They grumbled . . . they muttered under their breath . . . with indignation, they quietly complained among themselves . . . what is Jesus doing going into the house of someone like him? And I find myself asking the same question. But “him” is me . . . and it’s not with grumbling, but gratitude . . . not muttering, but in amazement . . . not complaining, but with awestruck contemplation.

Jesus desires to be the guest of sinners. He Himself secured the means for the holy God of heaven to commune with sin-marred men of earth. As the Lamb of God, He offered Himself a once for all sacrifice for the tax collector’s transgressions . . . His blood was shed to cover the rebels’ iniquities . . . His life was given for His enemies’ aggressions. And to all who would desire to know Him, He says let me cleanse you and be a guest in your house. Come to me and I will come to you. Receive me as you are and I will remake you into what I created you to be.

Isn’t that really the main point of the story? I’m thinkin’ . . .

The Guest of sinners . . . the great Savior for all who believe . . . the God to whom belongs all glory!

Amen?

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His Journey to Jerusalem

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Pete

You can’t blame them for not getting it. It was so far off their radar . . . not even a blip on the horizon of possibility. Take Messiah . . . put Him in Jerusalem . . . during the time of the Passover, the remembrance of great deliverance . . . and while your imagination may ignite, you’re not thinking what Jesus said awaited Him.

And taking the twelve, He said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging Him, they will kill Him, and on the third day He will rise.”   (Luke 18:31-33 ESV)

They were going to Jerusalem. They were ascending to Mount Zion . . . the seat of the throne of the promised King. And, for the twelve, the evidence had become greater and greater that the One they followed just might be that King. In fact, as they neared Jerusalem, “they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately” (19:11). So, you can’t really blame them that though they listened to Jesus words concerning Himself, they didn’t really hear them. It was so not what they were expecting.

What conquering ruler would talk of being rejected by his people? What almighty sovereign would predict of being handed over to his enemies that he might be mocked, spit upon, and flogged? How could a promised eternal kingdom be reconciled with a king who would die. Such was the mystery of the Christ. Spoken of by the prophets . . . totally over the heads of the disciples.

The mystery that Messiah’s greatest victory would come out of, what would seem to be, His greatest defeat. That, while an earthly kingdom would be established at His second advent, the purpose of His first coming was to solve man’s sin problem. That, though a day is coming when He will descend from heaven to defeat and put down His enemies, on that day, the day He ascended from Jericho and approached the holy city, His thoughts were to the battle He would wage in order to conquer sin and death.

But His disciples “understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said” (18:34).

You can’t blame them for not getting it. But whoa to me if I, getting it, I ever get to a point where I am not moved by it. May the Spirit keep me from ever NOT BEING MOVED by the thought of God’s precious Son being delivered over to the hands of men for such shameful treatment . . . because of my sin. That it would never become commonplace that the Word who was in the beginning, and through Whom all things were made and are held together, divested Himself of all His heavenly glory and “made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php. 2:7-8).

O’ that, unlike the disciples that I day, I might grasp it . . . and never lose my grip on it . . . the depths of love, and the abundance of grace, poured out because of His journey to Jerusalem.

. . . that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge . . .
(Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV)

To Him be all glory . . . amen?

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The Righteous

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Pete

I’ve fallen into kind of an interesting “coloring pattern” as I’m reading Proverbs this year. As I’ve headed into the “one-liner” portion of Solomon’s book of wisdom, for some reason (Can anyone say, “Holy Spirit?”), I’ve become fixed on “the righteous.” So far, in Proverbs 10 through 12, I have highlighted almost 30 verses that have to do with truths about, or promises for, “the righteous.” So far, at least, “the righteous” factor prominently in the wisdom of God.

For example . . . The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry . . blessings are on the head of the righteous . . . the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life . . . the wage of the righteous leads to life . . . the desire of the righteous will be granted . . . the hope of the righteous brings joy . . . the righteous is delivered from trouble . . . by knowledge the righteous are delivered . . . the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life . . . the root of the righteous will never be moved . . . the house of the righteous will stand . . .

And there’s more. Doing a quick check with my online concordance and, in the ESV, the term “the righteous” is found 57 times in the Proverbs.

I’ve been highlighting these verses because I think they apply to me. That I am “the righteous.” And why would I think that? Not because of what I bring to the table. But because of the gift of God made available to all who have become convinced of the gospel. The good news that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . . that He died for our transgression . . . paying the price in full . . . and that He rose on the third day as evidence that His atoning sacrifice was sufficient and that He had conquered sin and death. And in this good news, there is the righteousness of God made available to all who believe.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”   (Romans 1:16-17 ESV)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness . . .    (Romans 4:3-5 ESV)

These proverbs I’m reading become so personal because of who I am in Christ Jesus. That, by faith, I am “the righteous.”

Amazing . . . Overwhelming . . .

Funny how reading some short one-liners on everyday practical wisdom can trigger such extraordinary heaven-ascending worship.

Such is what happens to “the righteous” . . .

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

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Standing on the Inside

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Pete

I’m guessing that I’m not alone in sometimes wishing I could have been present at some event recorded in the Bible. That many of us, as we read parts of Scripture, pause, and, beyond just wondering what it would have been like to be there, we think, “Now, that’s something I would have loved to have experienced up close & personal.”

What would it have been like to witness the Red Sea parting (absent having a murderous hoard of Egyptian infantrymen descending upon you . . . I’ll skip that part)? Or, being in the crowd around Elijah’s water-drenched offering and seeing fire from heaven come down and consume it . . . and the look on the faces of the prophet’s of Baal as their fantasy gods are crushed by the God of heaven. How about hearing the voice of God thunder from heaven extolling the Son as Jesus is raised from the waters of baptism? And, has anybody ever meditated on the emotions that would course through your body as you encountered an angel at the empty tomb on that Sunday morning? I’m thinkin’ . . .

That’s where I’m at this morning after reading Nehemiah 8. No cataclysmic acts of nature here . . . no fire from the sky . . . no voices, or angels, from heaven. Just the Word of God opened and read . . . and all the people stood.

And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard . . . , And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday . . . And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. . . . And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.   (Ezra 8:1-5 ESV)

What had begun as an effort to rebuild some walls bloomed into a moving of the Spirit to reclaim some hearts. Those who had put their hands to the work of God were now experiencing the hand of God at work in them. For sure, they had restored the foundation of Jerusalem, but God was just as interested in the relaying the foundation within them.

And so they called for Ezra, the man known as the man who knew the Word (Ezra 7:10). They called him to come before their assembly and read the Word of God. Nothing fancy. No forty-seven part series with a catchy title and cool graphic. Just the Word of God opened before the people. People with ears that were ready to hear . . . people who sought to know the Word of God, and the God of the Word . . . people who, when the Book was opened, stood in reverence and anticipation.

That’s the scene I imagine being part of. Ezra on a platform in the middle of the square. Reading the Holy Scriptures . . words of revelation . . . words of life. Reading from them from “early morning until midday”. And all the people standing. As if to say, “Speak, LORD! For Your servants are listening.” Oh, the moving of the Spirit that must have occurred that day.

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.   (Nehemiah 8:6 ESV)

O’ to have been there!

But, in a sense, that opportunity is afforded me every day as I open my Bible for morning devo’s. And it’s afforded to me every Sunday as I gather with God’s called out people and hear again the Word of God proclaimed. And though I may be sitting at my desk . . .or in a pew or chair before a pulpit, I should be standing on the inside.

With heart ready . . . ears attentive . . . and all my being leaning in as God-breathed words (2Tim. 3:16) are read and expounded. And then, as the Word is received, let the worship flow . . . Amen and Amen!

By His grace . . . for His glory!

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They Prayed and Stayed

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Pete

We might give mental assent to the fact that it is entirely possible, even perhaps likely, that God’s work will encounter opposition. But, how often, when we encounter opposition, do we start to question if we’ve taken the right path or engaged in the right work? When things don’t go according to plan . . . when they don’t align with our expectations . . . we wonder if we missed discerning the will of God. When the going gets tough, we start wondering what went wrong. Now, to be sure, sometimes we can run our noses into a brick wall because we determined to zig when God has called us to zag . . . but it’s also true that sometimes the opposition is, in fact, an indicator we are on the right path and provides the exact context in which God reveals Himself powerful for His glory.

Such are the thoughts running through my head as I continue to read in Nehemiah this morning.

Nehemiah, a man of some standing and wisdom . . . a godly man of prayer . . . a man called to a great work—rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem . . . an obedient man who leaves the king’s courts to tackle the city’s rubble. A man with a plan . . . a man on a mission . . . a man with expectations of the great work that would be accomplished . . . a man who told others of “the hand of my God that had been upon me for good” (Neh. 2:18). A man who wastes no time putting the people to work. And the enemy wastes no time in seeking to frustrate his efforts.

At first, there were jeers from the naysayers. Mockery from those who despised the things of God. Big deal . . . sticks and stones . . .

But then, those who cast dispersions began to plot to take up arms (4:8). Words would give way to war. And it’s Nehemiah’s response to such opposition that grabs me this morning . . .

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. . . . And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”    (Nehemiah 4:9, 14 ESV)

They prayed and stayed.

They trusted God and set a guard. The remembered the LORD, and determined to defend the land. And, though they prayed, they didn’t expect the opposition to be gone. Though they trusted in an awesome God, they also armed themselves and readied for battle.

And the work resumed (4:15-23). Half the workforce continued constructing the walls, and half held “spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail.” Those who carried on the work, also carried weapons . . . laboring with one hand, ready to defend against the enemy with the other. Those wearing tool belts also had a sword strapped to their side. Though they believed that “our God will fight for us,” they were ready to be God’s army.

As I respond to what I believe to be the will of God, I need not be surprised when things don’t go according to how I envisioned them . . . or be discouraged when I encounter opposition and struggles I never expected. But I need to trust in the God of my calling . . . I need to call out to the God who is great and awesome . . . I need to know that He will fight the fight for us . . . and I need to strap on the whole armor of God . . . with one hand doing the work, with the other ready for battle. I need to pray and stay . . .

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
(2Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

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

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Seizing Eternal Life

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Pete

So . . . have been offline for the past week . . . so nice to be back at my desk this morning. Wrapped up 1Timothy this morning. Paul doesn’t waste a word. With intensity to the very end, he exhorts his apprentice to “fight the good fight of faith.” The stakes are high . . . Timothy has been given charge to shepherd the flock at Ephesus. The opposition is real . . . from both the world around them and from the “weeds” sown among them. But while there is much to do to contend for the people of God and seize every day, what grabs me this morning, is that it starts with contending for the presence of God and seizing eternal life.

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.    (1Timothy 6:11-12 ESV)

Take hold of eternal life . . . lay hold of it . . . attain to it . . . take possession of it . . . seize it with both hands.

How often do I think of eternal life as only something that has been freely gifted to me . . . and it is . . . but not something to lay hold of? Pretty often.

It’s one of the dynamics of the Christian life . . . taking that which we have been promised and making it that which becomes part of our practice. For example, we have been declared holy in Christ, therefore we are commanded to be holy. Similarly, we have been given eternal life, thus we are to lay hold of it.

Because eternal life is the prize, it becomes the essence of our pursuit. It’s not something that is only inherited when we see Jesus, but something that is laid before us each morning as the prize of victory worthy of our intense desire. And as we keep our eye on the crown . . . as we remind ourselves of the reward that awaits those who have been called of God . . . it refuels the desire to fight that good fight and to pursue the things of the kingdom.

To run swiftly after righteousness . . . godliness . . . faith . . . love . . . steadfastness . . . and gentleness.

And who is up to such things? Who is able to successfully engage in such a race for such a prize? By what power?

Just as it was not by our efforts that we earned this eternal life “to which you were called,” so too, our pursuit of it is not dependent on our own “spiritual fitness or capabilities” . . . but enabled through the grace of God and empowered by the Spirit of God.

Mine is to desire to lay hold of the prize . . . to set my face in the morning toward heaven, and be reminded that this world is not my home . . . to consider again the stewardship God has given me and seek to be faithful . . . and then to prioritize appropriately . . . and pursue passionately . . . by the abundant out-pouring of God’s amazing grace . . . and through the continual filling of God’s Holy Spirit. Only as He enables . . . only as He works the work He has begun in my life . . . am I able to lay hold of such a glorious prize.

Eternal life . . . the prize of His upward calling. Worthy of my meditation this morning . . . worthy of my determination throughout this day.

O’ that I might seize eternal life . . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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Reclaiming Our Feed

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Pete

This morning I was reminded that, in a sense, we all have a FaceBook page. A “news feed” that posts what we’re doing at any given time. But unlike the FB page we set up, we don’t get to choose what goes on this page. There’s no posting just the best selfies . . . or just putting in our status the most witty of comments. We don’t get to control what people know about us based on what we choose to “Like” or what we select to “Follow.” Actually, we don’t control the feed at all. It’s a live, real-time feed. Not only does it show snapshots of what we’re doing, it also streams what we’re thinking. In fact, it lays our whole lives bare. And who’s on the other side of this feed? Only one person. None other than the LORD of Creation Himself.

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD,
           and He ponders all his paths.    (Proverbs 5:21 ESV)

Context? A wise father’s warning to his son concerning “a forbidden woman,” one whose lips “drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (Prov. 5:3). Specifically, she is an adulteress. Broadly though, I think she could be seen as the intoxicating allure of the world . . . seeking those betrothed to heaven to find their pleasure in her rather than “the wife of their youth” . . . inviting those pledged to Another to find their satisfaction in her, rather than “drinking water from their own cisterns.”

And at the core of this warning is a reminder. A simple reminder that we are “online” . . . that the “Go Camera” is running . . . that we are “live streaming” . . . and that the holy God of heaven “ponders” all our paths. The original word is the word for “weigh.” The LORD weighs all our ways. Our ways of behaving . . . our ways of thinking . . . our ways of prioritizing . . . our ways of hiding our ways. All of it, before the eyes of the LORD.

How intimidating . . . if it weren’t for the fact that, . . . and I say this with deepest reverence and awe, . . . He has chosen to “Friend” us . . . and, as we allow Him, to take over and reclaim our “feed.”

While a holy God would be absolutely just in “blocking” us as friends . . . He has chosen, instead, to redeem us. Sending His Son to call us to Himself. Offering His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our transgressions, and the once for all payment for our sin. Sealing all those, who receive His gift of salvation, with His blessed Holy Spirit . . . a guarantee of eternal deliverance . . . and the Source of internal redesign . . . forming within us the image of Christ.

And mine is to submit to His sanctifying in work, in part, by taking heed to His sanctifying word.

My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
           incline your ear to my understanding . . .     (Proverbs 5:1 ESV)

What a friend we have in Jesus. A Friend who doesn’t need us to “post” what’s going on or “tweet” what we’re thinking. A Friend who sees all our ways . . . ponders all our paths . . . and, with over-flowing grace, has washed away our sin and is working on reclaiming our “feed” . . . for His glory.

O’ what a Savior!

Amen?

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Go For the Cheap Seats

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Pete

I really don’t like “General Admission” seating. When I have a ticket to an event, I prefer a reserved seat . . . a spot I know that I can place my keester regardless of how early, or not, I arrive. There’s something about “General Admission” that can bring out the worst in some people. Recently, at my daughter’s graduation, where we needed a ticket to get in, but had no assigned seating, we saw a bit of an ugly scene play out.

People were waiting at the door well in advance of its opening so they could be the first to rush in and grab the prime seating. We managed to avoid standing in line but were still among the first to get in as someone told us there was an entrance on the other side of the building that people were unaware of. Bonus! No waiting in line . . . still with a shot at some good seats. We found some seats . . . parked ourselves . . . and then had a front row view of a drama that played itself out in front of us while we waited for the ceremony to begin.

What looked to be a large family had come to proudly watch their graduating student “walk.” Actually, only two or three had managed to be among the early arrivals and they had staked a lot of territory in front of us in order to reserve it for those yet to arrive. Now, holding seats for others in “General Admission” situations isn’t that unusual, but the number that this small entourage tried to “call dibs on” seemed a bit much. Not only to me, but to another lady who was very much of the “first come, first served” persuasion. And she plunked herself down right in the middle of this family’s intended “reserved seating” and proceeded to pull out her camera and line it up for the perfect shot of her grad when they walked.

Needless to say, it sparked some words to be exchanged in front of us. A lady who was holding seats tried to get the lady who was sitting in the seat to leave . . . and the firmly seated lady wasn’t having it. The first lady’s argument? . . . we were here first and are saving those seats for the rest of our family. The firmly seated lady’s counter-argument? . . . Tough! I am here now and I want this preferred seating and I am staking claim to this seat. And so camera lady sat amidst the big family . . . all who were there except for the one who had to find another seat somewhere else.

Ok Pete . . . interesting (or not) story. So what’s the point?

This story came to mind because of a kingdom principle I came across in one of my readings this morning. Go for the cheap seats.

“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”   ~ Jesus (Luke 14:10-11 ESV)

I’ve been invited into the kingdom of God . . . by the grace of God . . . through the wooing of the Spirit . . . on the basis of the finished work of the cross of Christ. Don’t deserve to get in. But, by faith in the good news that Jesus came to save sinners, I’ve been admitted as a blood-bought guest of the Son. And in a sense, though I have an “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away reserved for me in heaven” (1Peter 3:5), right now it’s kind of like “General Admission” as I find my place in the kingdom. And Jesus says, go in looking to sit in the lowest place. Even though you might think you deserve a better seat because you arrived early (or for some other reason), take the last one . . . take the one no one else is rushing to . . . take the one behind the pillar . . . take the one next to the bathroom . . . take the cheap seats. For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1Peter 5:5).

I need to clothe myself in humility and not assert my right to be “up front” . . . or demand a seat with a good view. In humility, I need to count others more significant than myself (Php. 2:3). I need to be like my Savior who humbled Himself and opted for the cross rather than the throne during His first visit to earth, that the will of God might be accomplished.

Mine is to take the lowly place . . . to opt for the cheap seats . . . and leave it to the LORD to move me up to “better seating” if and when He chooses. After all, isn’t that the only reserved seat that really means anything? The seat of His choosing? I’m thinkin’ . . .

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

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Truth in Advertising

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Pete

If it were a cost / benefit analysis the appropriate course of action would be a no brainer. If the claims are to be believed, then the investment would be gladly tendered. If the returns are but a portion of what is promised, then why wouldn’t I be all in? If there’s truth in this “advertising,” then I would be a fool to walk away from it.

I’m three days into my readings in Proverbs and the “hard sell” is on. “Wisdom cries aloud in the street” (1:20) . . . receive me . . . tune your ears to me . . . incline your heart to me . . . raise your voice and cry out for me . . . seek me like silver . . . search for me like hidden treasure (2:1-4). The momentum through the first three chapters of Solomon’s treatise on “the beginning of knowledge” is building.

Orange, the colored pencil I use for highlighting promises, is starting to fill the pages of this opening portion of Proverbs. The promises come fast and furious . . . you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God (2:3) . . . you will dwell secure (1:33) . . . it will add days and years to your life (3:2) . . . you will find good success (3:4) . . . He will make straight your paths (3:6) . . . the LORD will be your confidence (3:26) . . . the wise will inherit honor (3:35).

I almost want to avoid coloring anymore. I’m so wary of a prosperity gospel that I don’t know what to do with all these benefits that are claimed for those who are blessed because they find wisdom and get understanding (3:13). But the prosperity being advertised here is “better than gain from silver . . . her profit better than gold . . . more precious than jewels . . . in fact, nothing you desire can compare with her” (3:14-15). The return is counted not in earthly riches . . . but something more valuable.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.    (Proverbs 3:18 ESV)

There was a “tree in life” in the midst of the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9). There will be a “tree of life” in the heavenly city (Rev. 22:2). And, if you believe Wisdom’s claims, she is tree of life TODAY for all who will lay hold of her.

The same wisdom by which God founded the earth . . . the same understanding by which He established the heavens . . . the same knowledge by which the clouds water the earth (3:19-20). This is the wisdom available to those who seek her. This is the wisdom that gives life to those who find her. So why wouldn’t I be in hot pursuit of such a treasure? Whatever the effort in pursuing . . . whatever the investment in seeking . . . all worth it . . . as the returns are beyond any treasures or pleasures this world has to offer.

And as I read, my heart is stirred, knowing that wisdom is found in the Word of God. In the written word, to be sure . . . but also in the living Word. The Word that was in the beginning . . . the Word through whom all things were made . . . the Word who, in Himself, is life . . . the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us . . . and “we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-4, 14).

Jesus is Wisdom . . . He is the tree of life . . . He is the One who calls out in the streets . . . He is the one worthy of hot pursuit . . . inviting me to seek Him in order to gain unworldly treasure . . . promising me that, in Him, will be found grace and power for everyday living.

If there’s truth in this advertising, and there is, then it’s a no brainer.

O’ to be a seeker of Wisdom. By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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