Seeing the Glory of God

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Pete

Met with a friend yesterday, her world kind of rocked by the election results last week. For her, character mattered — like really mattered! And so, it’s taking a bit for her to work through how character seemingly didn’t matter to others, especially those of the household of faith. As coffee conversations tend to go, we rambled down a few streams of consciousness talking about various ways one can find themselves misaligned with others born again of the same Spirit. And at one point, an old saying from a bygone era came to mind:

“To live above, with saints we love; oh, won’t that will be glory?
But to live below, with saints we know; now, that’s a different story!”

Yesterday’s conversation, and that little saying, came to mind as I read a familiar account in John’s gospel this morning.

Jesus is at the tomb of Lazarus. Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus, whom Jesus loved. Lazarus, who is dead. Lazarus, who is about to be un-dead.

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone.

(John 11:39-41a ESV)

Seeing the glory of God . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19:1). Jesus declares the glory of God (2Cor. 4:6, Heb. 1:3). And Lazarus too, would declare the glory of God. That’s what resurrected people do, evidently. Those who were once dead and then are made alive declare the glory of God. Even the saints we know who live below.

They may have not voted as we voted, may not have weighed the relative merits of character and conviction as we did, may not have walked the talk as we think the talk should have been walked, but if you believed you would see the glory of God. For they, like us, were once dead and then made alive.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins . . . But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved.

(Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 ESV)

They are the un-dead — those once buried in sin who, by God’s life-giving call and life-giving Spirit, walked out of the tomb’s bondage. Those raised in newness of life as we were. Fellow believers, brothers and sisters, co-heirs with Christ in Christ. And the glory isn’t just in that they have new life, the glory is manifest in the sweet-smelling aroma of grace which envelopes all of us. For, though we may have shed the grave clothes, after how long we’ve been in the tomb of sin and the rot of the flesh, there is still an odor. Yet, if you believed you would see the glory of God.

Oh, to extend to those who the world would tell us are “on the other side” — whether the “winning” side or the “losing” side — but a measure of the abundant, over-flowing grace we’ve known. More than that, though; to see in “the other side” the glory of God. To see the glory of those who were once enemies of God now seeking to live for God — even if we don’t agree on how that exactly plays out when it comes to being salt and light in a democracy. To see the glory of those who were once strangers to the promises of God now reconciled and brought together as “fellow citizens” of the household of God (Eph. 2:12, 19) — even when their choices, to us, still seem kind of strange. To see the glory of fellow exiles. who once called this world their home, faithfully enduring as they sojourn towards a promised land yet to be fully realized. Simply, to see the glory of God in the saints we know, who live below.

And if we did, now, that’s a different story . . . a stark contrast to our culture’s tribal mentality. A light-shedding, life-giving contrast.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Speaking to Mountains

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Pete

I know I’ve read it before, quite a few times before. But this morning the passage stands out as it never has before.

Whole lot of prophesying going on in Ezekiel. And almost all of it is directed at people. But just “almost all.”

There’s prophecy directed towards a rebellious people and a wayward flock. There’s prophecy directed towards surrounding nations and the pride-driven, blood-shedding rulers over them. Prophecy towards shepherds who shirk their responsibility and priests who profit at the expense of those they were to represent. Even when there’s prophecy to “dry bones” (Ezek. 37) it’s still targeted at bones which again become people as they come alive with flesh and skin restored to them and life-giving breath breathed into them. So, like I said, prophecy is for people . . . mostly.

“And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD: . . . You, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezekiel 36:1-2a, 9-11 ESV)

Ezekiel, prophesy to the mountains of Israel.

Mountains, hear the word of the LORD . . . I am for you . . . I will turn to you . . . you will know that I am the LORD.

Okay, chew on that for bit. God’s speaking to mountains. What does that say about creation?

I know why this dropped so powerfully on my radar this morning. Yeah, the Holy Spirit. But the fuel for the Spirit’s fire is a class I’m part of that’s working its way through some systematic theology — and last week we talked a bit about “sister nature.”

Sister nature . . . not a term I think I’ve heard before our discussion last week. Sister nature . . . as opposed to “mother nature.” Sister nature . . . though not created by God in His image as we are, yet created by God, nevertheless. Sister nature . . . not over us to be worshiped or to rule, but akin to us in that she was spoken into being by God to make God known and to bring God glory (Rom. 1:19-20, Ps. 19:1-60). Akin to us in that while she may not have breathed into her the spirit of life, nevertheless, like us, she groans under current conditions and awaits the return of the Savior (Rom. 8:19-22).

Akin to us as a sister. Not over us as a mother. Thus, as was pointed out in the pre-reading for our class, while we “do not believe in ‘mother nature,’ . . . we do rejoice that we have a ‘sister nature,’ and we seek to protect and care for nature like we would a sibling, a fellow part of God’s creation” (Watkin, Christopher. Biblical Critical Theory (p. 105). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.).

God cares about His creation — all of it. He cares for mountains, that they too would fulfill His purposes and realize His promises. It’s why we should care about creation too. Not because nature is a “mother” over us or equal to us and thus commands and demands our care, but because she is a “sister” and needs our care.

And so, the LORD has a word for mountains. Who knew? He raises up a flesh and blood prophet to comfort and encourage what we think of as an inanimate object. Inanimate, and yet, somehow, in some manner not deaf as mountains too have some sort of ears to hear as they also await His coming.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. . . . that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

(Romans 8:19, 21 ESV)

Hmm . . . God speaks to mountains. Worth noodling on I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

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I Lay Down My Life

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Pete

Small reading in John’s gospel this morning, but a pretty big idea comes across. Only 11 verses, but one phrase repeated four times. Took just a few minutes to read, but from them given an eternity to respond.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” ~ Jesus

(John 10:14-18 ESV)

I’ve read these verses many times before. This morning the repetition echoed in a fresh and forceful manner. I felt like I was hit with the again and again peal of a massive church bell calling me to worship. I lay down My life . . . I lay down My life . . . I lay it down . . . I have authority to lay it down.

“Uh, Jesus? What did You do with Your life?”

“I laid it down. I laid it down for My sheep.”

Pause. Chew on it. Noodle on it. Meditate away. And then, let the awe and wonder build.

I love the LORD who is the “my shepherd” of Psalm 23. That He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. That He restores My soul and shows me the paths of righteousness. I love that even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I’ve no need to fear evil, for He is always with me and His rod and staff comfort me. So grateful that He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies and anoints me with the oil of His Spirit, so much so that my cup overflows.

I love that I rest in the reality that surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and that I can confidently look forward to dwelling in the house of the LORD forever. Yeah, I love the LORD “my shepherd.”

But without the Lord who is “the good shepherd,” there could be no “my shepherd.” He is the One who leads His sheep because He was first the One who would purpose to lay down His life for the sheep. Without the shepherd who gave Himself for His flock, the hope of a shepherd who would lead His flock would be just a pipe dream, a wish-I-may-I wish-I-might warm and fuzzy sentiment.

The LORD is my shepherd because He is the good shepherd, the One who laid down His life for the sheep. Laid it down willingly. Laid it down willfully. Willingly, because it was the Father’s determination. Laid it down willfully, because He had authority to do so. Laid it down sacrificially, so that sin’s bondage and death’s grip would be broken, and my ears would be open to hear His voice and, by faith-fueled following, be counted part of His one flock.

Hear Jesus whisper this morning, over and over again, “I lay down My life.”

And then bask afresh in the love of God, thanking Him for the cross and the One crucified on it.

And then . . . worship!

Because of such great grace. Only for His great glory.

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They Worked for Me

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Pete

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

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

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

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

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

(Ezekiel 29:19-20 ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

By His grace. For His glory.

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Time to Cross the Field

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Pete

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

Church, it’s time to cross the field.

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

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

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

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

(1John 2:7-10 ESV)

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

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

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

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light . . .

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

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

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Recognizing Twisted Scripture

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Pete

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

Take care against what? Against twisted scripture.

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

(2Peter 3:15-16 ESV)

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

So, says Peter, “take care!”

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

(2Peter 3:17 ESV)

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

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

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

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

(2Peter 3:18 ESV)

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

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

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

Something to chew on.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Lord Makes Space

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Pete

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

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

(2Peter 3:9 ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By His grace. For His glory.

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Whose Rules Are We Playing By?

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Pete

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

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

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

(Ezekiel 11:12b ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Broken God?

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Pete

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

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

(Ezekiel 6:8-9a ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have been broken . . . What vulnerability!

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

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

Thank God for Calvary! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What amazing grace! To God be the glory.

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The True Grace of God

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Pete

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

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

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

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

(Lamentations 5:1, 21 ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cue 1 Peter. Time to connect some dots.

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

(1Peter 5:10, 12b ESV)

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

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

This is the true grace of God . . .

Stand firm in it . . .

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