The Power of Repentance

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Pete

I read it and I did a double take . . . and so, I read it again.  Unbelievable.  You wouldn’t have naturally thought it possible given the clear testimony of Scripture  . . . “there was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab.”  He was the worst of the worst.  So entangled in pagan worship . . . under the spell of his wicked wife . . . opposed to the things and ways of God.  And yet, he was shown mercy.  Just a reminder of the power of repentance.

In 1Kings 21, Elijah is sent to Ahab to pronounce God’s condemnation and judgment upon the wicked king.  The murder of Naboth and the extortion of his inheritance puts it over the top and God says, “Enough!” . . . “I will bring disaster upon you.  I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel” (1Kings 21:21).  Yes!  About time!  He’s gonna get what he deserves.  And then, the unbelievable part . . .

And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,  “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.”    (1Kings 21:27-29 ESV)

 Really?  Ahab humbles himself before the LORD . . . and God relents?  This wicked-beyond-wicked king now decides to take Elijah seriously and repents . . . and God shows mercy?  Pretty much.  Such is the power of repentance.

And the power isn’t the power of Ahab’s humility . . . it’s not in depths of his sorrow . . . though apart from godly sorrow and sincere repentance there could be no forgiveness.  But the true power is in the reality that we can not out-sin God’s grace.  By God’s very nature, He responds to the broken in spirit and the contrite in heart . . . no matter what they’ve done.  And on what basis can a holy and just God show mercy to a repentant sinner?  On the basis of the finished work of the Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross.  God could show Ahab mercy based on what He knew His Son would do “in the fullness of time” as the Lamb of God come for the sins of the world.

That is the power of repentance . . . it is the power of the cross.  That is the amazing of amazing grace.  The wonder is not that God would show mercy to an Ahab . . . it’s that He can justly show limitless grace to any of us . . . for “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” of whom we are all “the foremost” (1Tim. 1:15).

Yeah, its unbelievable, God’s mercy to Ahab . . . just as unbelievable as the grace He has shown me.

To Him be all glory and praise.  O’ what a Savior!

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Beyond Perfection

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Pete

Nobody’s perfect. How often have we heard that? How often have we said that? But it’s true. In fact, when you think about it, the idea of perfection is highly overrated. When we do encounter perfection, I’d suggest it is more of a relative state than an absolute reality. And, in cases where perfection might be achieved, such as a perfect test score, it doesn’t indicate perfect knowledge but a limited perfect performance . . . in fact, imperfection is just around the corner with the next set of subject matter material. Those who are realistic, pursue perfection with an expectation of getting better, but not as a goal they think can be reached. Those who pursue perfection without such a grounded view, are destined for frustration and failure. Perfection has its limits . . . but not so the Word of God.

I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.    (Psalm 119:96 ESV)

This contrast grabbed me this morning as I was reading the songwriter’s love letter to the counsel of God. Imagine what you will as perfection, and you’ll know it has its boundaries . . . that it only goes so far. But pause and meditate, even if for a brief time, on the revealed Word of God, and its expanse is beyond comprehension. If perfection is a studio apartment, then the precepts of God are a roomy, multi-roomed sprawling mansion. If perfection is your backyard, then the God-breathed Scriptures are a vast field stretching in all directions as far as the eye can see.

Why spend a lot of time roaming about a studio apartment with a hide-a-bed when you can explore a luxurious estate with more rooms–all decorated throughout with jaw-dropping fine furniture and art–to encounter than you have time for? Why settle for your fenced in backyard, when there are unending trails to be explored in every direction you turn? Why settle for the pursuit of limited perfection when God’s Word, His exceedingly wide word, beckons to be explored?

It is in the exceedingly broad revelation of God that we find eternal life. It is there we find the mind of God. It is there we find an eternal perspective that puts our temporal problems in context. It’s there, in the Word of God uncontained by the horizons, that we find true perfection . . . Jesus, the Christ.

He is the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets (Matt. 5:17) . . . all the promises of God are “Yes!” and “Amen!” in Him (2Cor. 1:10). You explore the expanse of the Spirit-written Word of God and your hearts burn within you as the Promised One is revealed (Luke 24:32). Engage the living Word and it will, like a sword, penetrate to places you didn’t know need to be penetrated . . . laying bare that which we might think is best kept covered . . . and then apply the grace-infused balm of the gospel, bringing healing and redemption.

No limits to the reach and impact of the Word. No boundaries to what it will, by the illuminating agency of the Spirit, reveal, redeem, and renew.

I have seen a limit to all perfection . . . but the Word, both written and Living, is exceedingly wide . . . and His perfection gloriously revealed.

He is beyond perfection . . . amen?

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Turning Hearts Back

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Pete

Put me in a word association situation and give me “Mt. Carmel” and I don’t think I’d come back with “grace” as the first thing that pops into my head. You might get “Elijah” . . . or “awesome display of God’s power” . . . or “feeble non-gods of Baal” . . . or “the Lord, He is God!” . . . but you say, “Mt. Carmel,” and I’m thinking I’m NOT saying, “Grace” as the word I immediately associate with that great showdown on the hill. But as I’m reading again in 1Kings 18 this morning, that’s what it was all about . . . . God’s amazing grace . . . as He determined, in His sovereign lovingkindness, to take a wayward people and turn their hearts back.

And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
(1Kings 18:36-38 ESV)

Elijah didn’t throw down the gauntlet just to get in Ahab’s face. He didn’t call out the prophets of Baal and tell them to meet him at high noon because of how important it was for God to prove Himself before dumb idols made of wood and metal by the hands of dumb men. But the “gunfight at the Carmel Corral” was staged because of a people of God who were “limping between two different opinions” (18:21a). They couldn’t make up their minds. God of heaven? . . . things of this world? The promises of God? . . . the pleasures of paganism? Two opinions with two diametrically opposed implications . . . “If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him” (18:21b).

God’s people were sitting on the fence (MSG). They kind of wanted to keep the name of being God’s people . . . but they were entangled in the pursuit of the world’s pleasures. And so God stages a massive display of heaven’s power in order to reveal afresh to His people that He alone is LORD God. And in so doing, turn their hearts back toward Him.

And when these fence sitters, these limper-alongers, saw the fire fall from heaven and consume the water drenched offering, “they fell on their faces and said, ‘The LORD, He is God; the LORD He is God!'” (18:39). And their hearts, if but for a brief season, were turned back to the God of their redemption. Not because they knew they had a heart problem and knew they needed to address it . . . but because of the grace of God. Because the Good Shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine to rescue the one (Luke 15:4), is the same Great Shepherd who will leave the one in order to rescue the ninety-nine.

Though a day is coming when we all will stand before God in judgment, Christians at the bema seat of Christ (2Cor. 5:10, 1Cor. 3:10-15), unbelievers before the great white throne (Rev. 20:11-15), today is not that day. Today is the day of the patient, merciful, gracious God who woos sinners to Himself, and lovingly seeks to turn back the hearts of wayward saints.

Our Mt. Carmel? The cross of Calvary. The hill where God’s once for all sacrifice for sin was offered . . . the hill where God’s enemies were defeated . . . the hill before which, when we take the bread and cup, and remember the battle, causes us to fall upon our faces and declare afresh, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!”

O’ to know, and be known, by a God who not only replaces hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, but a God who also contends for the health of that new heart. Not content to have that heart limp along between two different opinions, but wanting that heart wholly for Himself, and willing to “massage” the heart so that it might be turned fully toward Him.

Turning hearts back . . . that’s what our God does . . . by His grace . . . for His glory!

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A Beloved Child

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Pete

We had a baby last night. Well, we didn’t directly . . . my oldest daughter did. A little girl came into the world and it lit up the “text-o-sphere.” My daughter started a group text earlier this week when she first went into labor. It’s been a running conversation that exploded with joy when the phones sounded and the ipads rang out around 8:00 last night . . . “It’s a girl!” First pictures were being sent and received . . . immediately she was unanimously deemed “beautiful” . . . declared to be “perfect” . . . and everyone couldn’t wait to meet her. Only in the world a few minutes and she was already a beloved child.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.    (Ephesians 5:1 ESV)

Reading in Ephesians 5 this morning . . . starts off with one of my favorite verses . . . one of the most inspiring verses, for me, in all of Scripture . . . be imitators of God. Mimic the Father. Do like Him until, by His grace and through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, you become more like Him. But what hit me this morning, is how I usually ignore the second part of the verse . . . more focused on the command to obey then I am on the reminder of whose child I am.

I’m encouraged to “watch what God does, then do it” (MSG) not to try and audition for His family and hopefully be accepted, but because I am already His beloved child. It’s a response . . . not a requisite.

On that night I was born again . . . on that night I was translated from darkness into light . . . the news raced through heaven as there was great “joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). No need for a group text . . . as they were all gathered before the throne, the Lamb in the midst, and they shouted with joy, “It’s a another saint!” . . . “Beautiful” . . . “Perfect . . . just like the Son!” . . . “Can’t wait to meet him!”

How I, most often, rush over the last part of that verse without pausing in awe and wonder that, by His grace, I was born again into His family. My sin paid for . . . the wrath of God that was mine fully poured out on His beloved Son . . . reconciliation accomplished . . . and, wonder of wonders, adopted fully as one of his beloved children.

That little baby, who came into the world last night, did nothing to merit or earn her way into the family. But she now bears the name . . . she’s now considered “one of us” . . . a beloved child . . . and she’s not even 12 hours old yet. And, just like the miracle of birth, so too is the miracle of new birth. Brought into the kingdom . . . seated with Christ in the heavenlies . . . not of merit, but of mercy . . . not because of my goodness, but all because of His amazing grace. Part of the family . . . a beloved child.

Looking forward to seeing my daughter, her husband, and another one of “my girls.”

Looking forward to seeing my Father, His Son, as another one of His beloved children.

To Him be all glory and praise . . .

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The Wonder of Regeneration

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Pete

It would be almost comical if the situation weren’t so tragic. As it is, it’s almost unbelievable that someone could have had such an encounter of the divine kind as did Jeroboam, and yet be so dense as to the things of heaven. And so, in a round about way, I’m brought to amazement and worship as I consider afresh the wonder of regeneration.

Stepping back . . .

Solomon’s heart has been turned away from the Lord as he gives his affection to many women of foreign nations and, in so doing, gives his heart to their handmade non-gods. The LORD then, in His sovereign purposes, determines to judge Solomon’s unfaithfulness by dividing the kingdom of Israel after Solomon’s death. God reveals his intentions to a very capable man, Jeroboam. God speaks through one of His prophets to clearly reveal to Jeroboam that God is about to “tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes” (1Kings 11:31). He even let’s Jeroboam know the reason for such judgment, “because they have forsaken me” and worshiped other gods (11:33). Pretty amazing one-on-one encounter with the Creator.

Solomon dies . . . his son Rehoboam takes over the throne . . . civil unrest develops . . . the northern ten tribes secede from the nation . . . and Jeroboam becomes their king. All as the LORD had determined. But then things in the north go south really quickly. In order to cement his grip on the kingdom, Jeroboam feels he needs to create an alternative to the God of Israel’s deliverance and the place of His worship, lest the people, in going to Jerusalem to worship, reestablish an allegiance to the king of Judah (12:1-33). And so, after direct revelation from God . . . after suddenly rising to power, just as God had revealed to him . . . Jeroboam creates fake gods to worship. That is, Jeroboam does what God told him Solomon had been judged for. Huh?

But it gets crazier. Reading in chapter 14 this morning, when Jeroboam’s son gets really ill, Jeroboam tells his wife to go to the same prophet that had revealed to Jeroboam God’s plan for him. But, he says, “disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam” (14:2). How goofy is that? Sending your wife to hear the voice of God . . . but telling her to put on a disguise so that the Sovereign of the Universe doesn’t recognize who she is. Hello!?! Anybody home?

Here’s a guy who has not only experienced direct revelation from God, but had also experienced God’s moving just as foretold. And yet, he is dead to the things of God. Somehow thinking that two golden calves equals one Yahweh . . . somehow believing that if his wife puts on a little more makeup and a wig, God won’t guess who she is. Unbelievable. But there, but for the grace of God, go I.

And I’m reminded that revelation, unless it is accompanied by regeneration, cannot, in itself, turn a man’s face toward God. Doesn’t matter how much knowledge someone has about God, without a new heart, they can’t know God. Doesn’t matter how much they’ve experienced the moving of God, without becoming a new creation in Christ, their encounter with God is of no effect.

Praise God for the gospel. That by the finished work of Christ on the cross, I am, by faith, not only saved from the penalty of sin, but that, by the life giving work of the Spirit, I am also born again. That I have been given a new dimension of understanding, the mind of Christ, that I might know the God of my salvation. That, by the power which raised Christ from the dead, I too am raised in newness of life able to commune and, in some measure, comprehend the King of glory.

A new creation in Christ. Alive to the things of God. O the wonder of regeneration. By His grace . . . for His glory.

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A Heart Turned Away

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Pete

Solomon can be one of the most inspiring examples in Scripture and yet, one of the most tragic. A monument of grace . . . born to David, the man after God’s own heart . . . born through Bathsheba, the mistress of David’s adultery and murder. A young man placed on the throne who seeks from God not long life, nor riches, nor fame — but wisdom to lead well. I have known many who have made Solomon’s prayer for wisdom their own . . . more than once, his prayer for wisdom has been mine. But read of how he finished his race in 1 Kings 11, and here too he is an example . . . a bad example . . . a warning concerning the danger of a heart turned away.

You don’t have to be read too closely to know what led to Solomon’s spiritual downfall. It’s repeated four times in the first nine verses of 1Kings 11.

For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.   (1Kings 11:4 ESV)

Solomon had a weakness for women . . . a bit of an understatement considering the king had 700 wives and 300 concubines (11:3). Beyond the number, and perhaps more importantly, most of them were “from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love.” (11:2). Solomon’s desire trumped God’s decree. His weakness won over God’s warning. As such, he ended up with a heart turned away.

Now, I’m pretty sure I’m not in any danger of accumulating 700 wives. But are there other things that might lead to a heart turned away?

That word, “turned away,” is kind of interesting. It’s actually the same word I encountered a few days ago in Psalm 119:36 where the songwriter asks God to “incline” his heart toward His Word. “To turn” is actually the least common translation of that word — literally it means “to stretch out . . . to spread out” and then “to turn, incline, influence.” That’s what Solomon had, a stretched out heart . . . but, it would seem, spread too thin. The attractions and the distractions were many . . . the affections were multi-focused . . . and at the end of the day, his heart was turned away from the One he had once sought to serve and to please. At the end of the day, his heart was stretched too thin and his loyalty to the LORD waned. His heart was not wholly true to the LORD, literally it had no “Shalom.” His heart was not at peace with God . . . it had been spread out by other pursuits . . . 1,000 of them . . . and, as a result, it had turned away.

Solomon’s life is a sobering warning . . . to think of living as well as Solomon lived and then finishing as poorly as Solomon finished. And all for a “stretched-too-thin” heart. I don’t have to noodle too long to come up with a list of things that can distract me from my “first love” (Rev. 2:4). So many things can compete with my devotion to the One worthy of “first fruits” I have to give . . . worthy of my first energies . . . worthy of my first thoughts . . . worthy of my first allegiance. It may not be multiple wives, but how many other “mistresses” might exist in my life that can turn my heart away from the Lord? God warned Israel not to intermarry with the nations around them for it would certainly turn away their hearts . . . Paul put it a slightly different way, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2Tim. 2:4).

There are so many things to be entangled with in my world. Not all bad . . . in fact, very few, are “bad” when received with thanksgiving (1Tim. 4:4). But many, nonetheless, that can distract and displace. I need to constantly check my world of activities and pursuits and ask myself, “Are these things spreading my heart too thin? Are they turning it away? Are they eroding my loyalty to the things of God?” Good questions to ask, I think.

To be like Solomon . . . characterized by wisdom through the mind of Christ, by the power of the Spirit. To not be like Solomon . . . on guard against a heart turned away.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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Songs for the Sojourner

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Pete

I have a fairly good sized iTunes library of music. And in my library I have a playlist I’ve called “Top Rated.” I’ve gone through all my albums and have put the best one or two songs from each album into the playlist. When I buy a new album I will, at some point, select the song that has connected with me the most and add it also to the list. As such, it’s become my “go to” playlist. When I’m feeling kind of up . . . I’ll often listen to those familiar favorites. When I’m feeling not so up . . . I’ll go to these songs that I know have ministered to my soul in the past. When I need something playing in the background that I KNOW will be in tune with wherever I’m at . . . yup, “Top Rated.” The psalmist, it seems, had a “Top Rated” playlist too . . .

Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.   (Psalm 119:54 ESV)

Working through Psalm 119 is always one of the favorite parts of my reading plan. Twenty-two readings . . . eight verses per stanza . . . one grand theme. The living Word of God. His laws . . . His testimonies . . . His commandments . . . His precepts . . . His rules . . . His statutes . . . His promises . . . all, says the songwriter, “are my delight” (119:24). And, as discovered this morning, they were also his songs. Songs for the sojourner.

By the very nature of being a sojourner, things are transient. Pilgrims don’t expect a lot of permanency. Even the house of those sojourning is temporary . . . something that can be packed up, picked up, and ported to wherever the next stop happens to be. The way of the sojourner often leads through deserts . . . sometimes encounters enemies . . . and once in awhile, finds a nice resting place beside some oasis. But there’s always an expectation, that until they reach home, the way of the pilgrim will be one of constant change and new challenges. It is then that pulling out the “familiar tunes” can be not only a blessing, but a great stabilizing force.

Such is the Word of God.

There’s no greater lyric, than the lyric breathed out by God Himself through holy men as they were moved by the Spirit of God. No greater melody than the rhythm of heaven pulsating from the precepts and promises of God. Appropriate for under-girding the soul when it’s soaring with wings of eagles . . . so helpful for lifting the soul when it’s mired in the muck. These eternal songs by divine revelation find their way on to our “Top Rated” and we sing them in the house of our sojourning . . . as we travel the pilgrim’s path.

Those who know me well know how easy I can sometimes get thrown off kilter. Don’t think it often shows itself outwardly, but things can go so upside-down so quickly on the inside. On my heels . . . lacking the predictability and stability that I so naturally desire . . . all a reminder that I’m not home yet. And so, “wherever I lodge” (NIV), it’s good to “hit play” on the songs of salvation. To open up in the morning the songbook of revelation . . . trusting the Spirit of illumination to remind me of the “old, old story” with familiar, yet fresh, insights from God’s Word.

Then begins the song . . .the making of blessed melody in the heart. Then, there rises the soul-soothing tunes of a faithful Father who has promised to always accompany us on pilgrimage. Then, explodes the symphony of grace . . . the movements of all that God has done . . . the compositions being written daily by mercies that are new every morning . . . and the anticipation of the crescendo that will be heard when the last trumpet sounds. All found in the Word of God . . . all found in His “Top Rated.”

Your Word has been my song . . . and will continue to be my song . . . in the house of my sojourning. All by Your grace . . . all for Your glory!

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Meant To Be Shared

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Pete

Not all gifts are intended for the same purpose. If I give my girls necklaces for Christmas, my hope is that they would enjoy wearing them . . . and maybe think of dad sometimes when they put them on . . . but I have no expectation that they would share them with others. My intent is that the gift is for them and them alone. Other gifts, though, are different. I can think of things we gave our girls when they were younger that were expressly given with the intent that they should share them. We’d give them more than they could possibly use or consume with the expectation that they would share the bounty with their sisters or their friends. Grace is a gift like that . . . a gift meant to be shared.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles–assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. . .    (Ephesians 3:1-3 ESV)

Not only had grace been poured out upon this once persecutor of Christ, but the mysterious workings of God’s unmerited favor had also been made know to him through divine revelation. And in his calling in Christ, Paul knew that the gift was also given as a stewardship. He was responsible for the administration of both what he knew about grace and of the grace he had known. Specifically, his was to “preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things” (3:8-9).

The gift of God’s grace was poured out on Paul for his life-saving benefit . . . but not for his benefit only. With the gift came a responsibility to manage the gift as God had called him to. To the Corinthians, Paul would write, “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.” (1Cor.9:16-17 ESV)

Paul had been entrusted with a responsibility born out of the grace he had been shown. He was to preach the gospel. Willingly or not, he had been entrusted with such an administration and “woe to me” if he didn’t faithfully manage that which had been put in his charge. And I’m thinking there’s application to those of us who have also been showered with amazing grace. That each of us has been given a “woe to me if I don’t do it” calling. That each of us has been given a stewardship of grace.

Not many of us are called to be preachers like Paul, but I’m wondering if we, as recipients of grace, shouldn’t have a mindset that we are also stewards of grace. That, in addition to enjoying the riches of Christ in our lives, we shouldn’t also expect that God has some means for us to steward those riches for the benefit of others. That grace shouldn’t be viewed as only something we have received, but also as something that we are to intentionally distribute to others. Less a gift that we hoard away in our own personal treasure boxes, grace, instead, becomes something that we mindfully expect to pass out in abundance.

Yeah, I’m thinking grace is meant to be shared.

O that God’s people would be faithful stewards of the abundant favor they’ve known . . . for a world of people in need of some grace . . . and for the glory of the God who is the source of all grace.

Amen?

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Heart Massage

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Pete

I don’t even think about it very often . . . but if it weren’t happening, I wouldn’t be thinking about anything at all. I”m talking about my pumping heart. We tend to pay them no attention . . . until something goes wrong. But day in and day out they do what they were designed by the Creator to do . . . beat . . . contract and expand . . . rhythmically maintaining the circulation, of life sustaining blood, to all parts of our body. Pretty routine. But pretty amazing if you pause to consider it for a moment.

And when the rhythm is interrupted . . . when it gets out of sync . . . or stops all together . . . the only thing that is going to help, if help is at all possible, is some outside intervention. Can anyone say heart massage? What’s needed is the heart to resume its rhythm and, sometimes, that can be done by massaging the heart through the chest wall, or, in extreme cases, inside the chest cavity. External repeated pressure is applied in a way that it reminds the heart of the beat it was designed to keep in the hope that the heart will “pick up on it” itself and resume its life sustaining function.

And I ended up thinking about such things because of a couple of verses I encountered in my readings this morning . . .

The LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His rules, which He commanded our fathers.   (1Kings 8:57-58 ESV)

I will run in the way of Your commandments when You enlarge my heart! . . . Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!   (Psalm 119:32, 36 ESV)

I love the routine of getting up in the morning and opening God’s word. But I’m reminded that it’s only because, by His grace, He has given me . . . and continues to give me . . . heart massage.

Mine was once a heart of stone . . . but now, it’s a heart of flesh through the regenerating work of salvation. But though I now possess a heaven-certified, Spirit-filled, eternal life sustaining heart, it sometimes can fall out of rhythm. The old man . . . the old nature . . . the flesh . . . will war with the new man of the Spirit and sometimes it affects the heart. And my heart can start beating abnormally . . . its affection can get diverted . . . its determination to seek first the kingdom of God can grow weak. That’s when I need a heavenly heart massage . . . that’s when I need to cry out, like Solomon, and like the Psalmist, “Incline my heart to You, LORD!”

Incline . . . literally it means to “stretch or spread out.” I envision kneading dough in preparation for making a pie crust. Of working it so that it is supple and ready to receive and hold whatever contents are determined for it. Enlarge my heart . . . broaden it out . . . make room . . . that it might receive the grace-infused, overflowing wisdom of heaven poured out by the Spirit, through the Word, for all who have ears to hear. Ears that are ready to hear because of the steady rhythm of a well massaged heart.

No boasting in doing devo’s in the morning . . . just routine. But oh, the wonder, of considering Him who keeps my heart’s flow steady and desiring the routine . . . all by His amazing grace!

That He might continue to incline my heart . . . that He might faithfully never stop enlarging my heart . . . that I might know the rhythm of heaven through His living Word.

By His grace . . . for His glory!

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His Workmanship

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Pete

I read Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1 this morning. It reminds me of a simple principle. Worship springs from a fresh realization of what God is doing in, and through, and around you.

Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary and voices an understanding that could only be from God . . . that Mary is to be the mother of her Lord. Not only does Elizabeth rejoice but so does the baby within her . . . the soon to be John the Baptist does cartwheels in the womb as Mary comes into their presence. And while it hasn’t been that long since Mary encountered the angel who told her of her highly favored future . . . not too long since she conceived through the Holy Spirit . . ., encountering her cousin Elizabeth’s reaction again impresses upon Mary the amazing work God is doing in her and she can’t help but respond in praise and adoration. “My soul magnifies the Lord!” she exclaims. And I’m thinking that’s how it is so often when we realize afresh the work God is doing in and around our lives . . . our spirits rejoice in the Lord . . . our voices proclaim His praise.

Cue Ephesians 2:10 . . . “For we are His workmanship . . . ”

The thought arrests me . . . stops me in my tracks . . . shouts out, “Consider it, Pete. Don’t rush by it too quickly. Think about it . . . You are workmanship . . . God’s workmanship.” Now, all too often I’m aware of what a “piece of work” I am . . . not much to look at, really . . . nothing to get too excited about . . . kind of flawed . . . often not performing the way I think I should. But this morning I’m reminded, that though that may be all too accurate a view, it is very much an “earthbound” view. The Holy Spirit through Paul’s words to the Ephesians reminds me of a reality that transcends my experience . . . I am His workmanship — though it be a work in progress — I am God’s workmanship. And as a very eloquent man once said, “God don’t make no junk!!!”

I looked up the meaning of “workmanship.” Although “work” is a very common NT word, this word for “workmanship” is found only twice in the NT . . . kind of a special word then. It literally means a product . . . and more specifically, refers to a fabric.

Ok . . . so let that spark the imagination. A finally woven fabric . . . not something that is produced in bulk . . . but hand-woven. Comprised of countless spiritual fibers . . . brought together to make a one-of-a-kind creation — a new creation actually — by the Creator of all things Himself. I think of the different threads in this fabric as being multi-colored against a predominate background of red . . . blood red . . . for we His fabric created in Christ Jesus. Woven throughout this workmanship is the material of the Savior Himself . . . the Son of God intricately loomed into my being . . . coming out more and more as the Spirit’s sanctifying work progresses. I am His fabric . . . I am His workmanship. O my soul magnifies the Lord!

I said the word “workmanship” is only found twice in the NT. Here’s the other place where it’s found . . . “For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Rom. 1:20 ESV). God’s invisible attributes . . . His eternal power . . . His divine nature . . . are clearly seen . . . are clearly understood . . . through the things that are made . . . through His workmanship . . . through His fabric. And I am part of that fabric . . . that God testifying, intricately woven fabric . . . a workmanship intended to reveal the glory of the Workman! Amazing! Magnify the Lord, O my soul!

“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.”   (Psalm 139:14 ESV).

Fearfully and wonderfully made . . . true of the physical creation . . . and so true of the spiritual re-creation. My soul magnifies the Lord!

Too often I can look at the “workmanship” in the mirror and focus only on the flaws and the still abiding imperfections. True enough . . . lot of work to be done with this work in progress. But, from time to time, I’d do well to think again of Who’s workmanship I am . . . of Who has promised to complete the work He begun . . . of the magnificence of the blueprint He is using for His work of grace in me, the very image and nature of His blessed Son. Then, how can my soul not respond in wonder and worship and magnify the LORD.

For His abundant favor . . . for His abiding glory . . . for all eternity. Amen?

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