Embracing the Thorns

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Pete

I don’t really like operating from a position of weakness. There’s something about feeling like your in control . . . or engaged in something for which you believe you are competent . . . that allows you to keep both feet on the ground. I really try to avoid “getting in over my head” . . . and I can get really frustrated when I’m doing something — or something’s doing me — for which I really haven’t the knowledge or skill. Welcome to Paul’s world!

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  (2Cor. 12:7-8 NIV)

Paul was a pretty capable guy . . . well educated . . . pretty good thinker . . . hard worker . . . oh yeah, and He met Christ face to face, even spending time being groomed in heaven itself (2Cor. 12:2-4) . . . (what a trip that would have been). To say Paul had “all the tools” would be an understatement. But . . . and it’s a big “but” . . . he was constantly working from a position of weakness. Whatever that thorn in the flesh was, it was a tormenter — something Paul pleaded repeatedly for the Lord to remove from him. The NKJV translates it as a messenger of Satan sent to “buffet” him . . . literally “to strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist; to maltreat, treat with violence and contumely.” Whatever it was, it was abusive . . . always trying to set Paul back on his heals . . . struggling to push Paul’s head underwater. And yet, apart from this passage, in what is Paul’s most personal letter in the New Testament, we’d never have guessed that, in addition to all the overt persecution that Paul suffered, he had to contend with this demon as well. How come?

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamites.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.   (2Cor. 12:9-10 NKJV)

We often glory in “amazing grace” that saves . . . but what of the “sufficient grace” that sustains?

Do we recognize that operating from a position of weakness is often exactly where God wants us in order “to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2Cor. 4:7)?  I say that I want to know the filling and enabling and empowering of the Holy Spirit . . . maybe I need to more aware that you fill that which is empty . . . that you enable that which is disabled . . . that you empower that which is without power. Paul got it. He was no masochist . . . he pleaded for the henchman of Satan to be removed . . . but when God said, “No,” Paul looked to the grace and power of God to sustain and enable. He saw it as the opportunity for God to increase and for Paul to decrease as the power in Paul’s life was clearly of the Lord . . . that it was from Him whom the man desired to magnify and not from the man himself.

Honestly, I’m not looking to get any “weaker” than I am . . . sufficient is the frailty of this man for God to manifest His power. But perhaps I need to embrace my “thorns in the flesh” more as they afford God’s strength to be made perfect in my weakness . . . that His amazing grace which saved me might also be seen as the sufficient grace which sustains me . . . that the power of Christ may rest on me . . . for when I am weak . . . then I am strong . . . and God get’s the glory.

Amen?

Posted in 2Corinthians | Leave a comment

Heaven Is Real, He Is To Be Exalted

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Pete

I haven’t been one to pay a lot of attention to the recent “Heaven is Real” parade. Not that I don’t believe heaven is real. It’s just that I’m not too sure how the books written in the last couple of years line up with Biblical teaching on death and heaven. Can’t say that I’ve read them . . . or plan to . . . just that, as I’ve read about them, something in me is uneasy. Uneasy with some of the claims I understand they make and, maybe more importantly, uneasy with the celebrity status these books are making of some of those who have “gone and come back.” That’s what came to mind as I was reading 2Corinthians 12 this morning.

There I read of another man . . . a man “in Christ,” one who bowed the knee to Jesus on earth . . . who had some sort of out of body experience. He was caught up to “the third heaven” . . . caught up to “paradise.” Not because he was near death, but because he was to be a steward of the words of life. And, as he recalls the experience, he’s not sure whether he was “in the body of out of the body.” All he knew for sure was that “he heard many things that cannot be told, which man may not utter” (2Cor. 12:2-4).

He was a student at Paradise U. A graduate of an intense “Master’s” program. And, though he had some stuff to talk about . . . a good story to tell . . . he refrained “so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me” (12:6). Having returned, instead of talking about his experience, he boasts of his weakness.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.    (2Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV)

Seems like kind of an unexpected “reward” for making it to heaven and back . . . a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, something so debilitating that this man would plead three times for its removal. But that’s what he was given to balance out his out of body experience. Otherwise, he says, he might have become over impressed with himself.

The NKJV translates “conceited” more literally . . . “lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations.” The man was given a thorn in the flesh so that he would not be raised up . . . so that he would not get caught up in his own press clippings . . . so that he would not consider himself a somebody. But, having been beyond and back, he is weakened in the flesh so that any power he might display would the power of Christ in and through him.

The revelation was for his preparation. Being caught up to the third heaven wasn’t for his glory, but for his gifting. What he experienced in that time–“whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows”–was to be expressed in dependence upon the all sufficient grace of the living Christ.

I don’t know enough about these books to be critical . . . not my intent. And I can’t claim to having any experience with the third heaven and Paradise U. But I do have a little experience, though not as some others, of knowing weakness and asking for it to be removed. And more importantly, the reality of the power of Christ manifest in His all sufficient grace. And in that, I too know that heaven is real . . . and that He alone is to be exalted.

I will boast in my weakness . . . because of His grace . . . and for His glory.

Posted in 2Corinthians | Leave a comment

The Boasting Game

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Pete

Paul had been drawn into a game he didn’t want to play . . . but he was, in a sense, desperate. He had done the original “matchmaking” and it was truly a “match made in heaven.” He had brought the good news to Corinth . . . and through him the Spirit had wooed lost souls to the Savior. The little church was established and grew. Watered with abundant grace, these believers were a local representation of the Bride of the Christ . . . and as such, Paul, in effect, had betrothed them to one Husband and desired to present them before Him as “a pure virgin” (2Cor. 11:2). But, just as the serpent deceived Eve with good sounding words and convincing arguments of apparent wisdom, so too, the betrothed of God were being “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (11:3).

And so, contending for the bride, Paul was drawn into a game he didn’t want to play. For at the core of these charlatan’s arguments were their “pseudo-credentials.” Was Paul a scholar? They were even more. Was Paul a minister of good news? They had better news. And how valuable was Paul’s good news anyway if he brought it free of charge. They, on the other hand, were “selling tickets” . . . and came with books and t-shirts and wrist bands. Surely, the degree to which they prospered was an indicator of the value of what they preached. Did Paul consider himself an orator? Sure, if you want to call it that, but they were eloquent of speech such that Paul’s presentation paled in comparison. Was Paul an apostle? Maybe, but they were “super-apostles” (11:5).

And so they boasted . . . and so Paul was forced to respond.

And he starts matching credential for credential (11:22). A Hebrew? Check. An Israelite? Me too. Offspring of Abraham? Check. Servant of Christ? Let me tell you about that, says Paul.

And here is where Paul pulls away from the pack. Imprisoned . . . countless beatings . . . often near death. Scourged multiple times . . . beaten with rods . . . stoned . . . shipwrecked . . . encountering life threatening dangers on all sides (11:23-27). Not exactly the stuff that screams, “Successful!” But the stuff that points to a Savior who is worth living for . . . even if it means dying.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.    (2Corinthians 11:30 ESV)

And though Paul’s drawn into a game not of his choosing, he leaves his opponents in the dust as he “boasts” of being a servant of Christ. His servitude intended to magnify the Master. His deficiencies a testament to the Savior’s all sufficiency. His weakness pointing to the glory of the King’s power. His life poured out that His Lord might be lifted up.

That’s the stuff to boast of. That’s the way to play the game. My weakness . . . His power. My need . . . His grace.

Not to us . . . but to Your Name be the glory!

Posted in 2Corinthians | Leave a comment

A Second, Second Chance

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Pete

You read Psalm 106 and it’s like reading a rap sheet . . . a long, long rap sheet. It’s the history of the songwriter’s people . . . held up against the unfailing grace of the songwriter’s God. And it’s bookended with a call for thanksgiving . . . with an exhortation to praise God. For He is the God of the second, second chance.

Most of the song is an historical narrative.  Its major theme being found in verse 6, “Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we’ve done wickedness.”

The “intro” to the song chronicles their deliverance from Egypt . . . which is soon followed by their rebellion at the Red Sea. And God patiently shows Himself powerful on their behalf . . . saving them from the hand of the foe . . . redeeming them from the power of the enemy (v.10). And the people believed again . . . and they sang His praise again. “But they soon forgot His works . . . they had a wanton craving in the wilderness . . . and put God to the test in the desert” (v.13-14).

And so is established the song’s meter. The people rebel. Their sin provokes their God to respond with wrath, in accordance with His holy character. Then a mediator, chosen by God, intervenes . . . standing in the breach between sinful man and holy God. First, Moses intercedes to turn away God’s wrath away from destroying His people who “exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox” and “forgot God, their Savior” (v.20-23). Then, it’s Phineas who stands up to stay the plague which broke out after God’s people “yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor” and “provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds” (v.28-30). But they sin again . . . and again . . . and again

And the dirge goes on. Of their seemingly incessant murmuring because that had “no faith in His promise” and it’s dire consequences (v.24-25, 32-33). Of their infidelity towards their God playing “the whore in their deeds” as they refused to separate themselves from the nations around them and thus, “served their idols, which became a snare to them” (v.36).

And it goes on and on and on. But then we get to the song’s crescendo . . . we get to the bridge which interrupts the repetitious verses and chorus . . .

Nevertheless, He looked upon their distress,
   when He heard their cry.
For their sake He remembered His covenant,
   and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love.   (Psalm 106:44-45 ESV)

O, blessed “nevertheless!” O, blessed promises! O, blessed abundant steadfast love! O, blessed God of the second . . . and third . . . and fourth . . second chance!

God could relent because His Son would one day take upon Himself all the wrath justly demanded for sin by a holy, holy, holy God. God could respond to their cry, again and again, because He knew the cry of His Son, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). God could release the floodgates of abundant grace for their sake, because He was determined to fulfill His covenant for His own glory . . . even to providing the Lamb of God to take away sin once for all . . . even to raising up His Son as an eternal mediator to intercede for His people.

A second, second chance. Not that I presume upon it . . . but that I thank God for abundant grace which covers all my sin . . . and praise Him for being a God who, because of His great love and great provision, “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting!
And let all the people say, Amen!
   Praise the LORD!                           (Psalm 106:48 ESV)

 

Posted in Psalms | Leave a comment

Abigail

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Pete

There are at least 3 or 4 sermons wrapped up in 1Samuel 25. There’s the sermon of the stupid man. Then, there’s the sermon of the cranky king-to-be who goes over the top ’cause he’s hungry. And, there’s the love story sermon where cranky king-to-be determines to wipe-out stupid man, girl intervenes for stupid man, king-to-be meets girl, girl calms down king-to-be, stupid man dies, king-to-be proposes to girl, girls say yes, king-to-be marries girl — you know, one of those everyday, happy ending, Hallmark love stories. There are lessons to be learned in each of these story lines. But there’s a at least one other story here, that for some reason, absolutely grabs me this morning . . . the sermon of the beautiful lady.

If I were to ask a group of Bible students who the great women of the Bible were, I’m guessing the initial responses might be Mary or Ruth or Esther or the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Maybe some would recall Deborah the “judgette.” But would anyone blurt out “Abigail?” I don’t think I would have . . . she’s not one that would come to top of mind. But there is something about the quality of character of this woman that just jumps off the page this morning . . . something that looks beyond her.

Abigail, the wife of Nabal (aka the “stupid man”), is a woman who was “discerning and beautiful” (1Sam. 25:3 ESV). So, she’s a looker . . . but in the Holy Spirit’s summary of Abigail, that she is described as beautiful is listed second . . . her preeminent quality is that she was discerning or, of “good understanding” as the NKJV says. Both the NASB and NIV say she was “intelligent,” but to read that and conclude that she was just really smart would be coming up short. The idea in the original language seems to be that of insight, or good sense, or wisdom. Abigail was a woman of good understanding, of discernment. She knew what her husband was like . . . she knew how to take action to avert disaster by David’s hand (aka the “cranky king-to-be”). And take action she did.

Not only was she insightful . . . she was compassionate, and bold, and resourceful. Technically, she had nothing to worry about . . . David’s “over the top” determination was to kill Nabal and all his male servants (1Sam. 25:22) . . . see how being really hungry can make a guy really cranky . . . and a bit crazy? So Abigail, being a woman in Nabal’s house, didn’t have to worry about her own skin. But you sense that this woman of God wasn’t wired to think just about herself. When one of Nabal’s young men gets wind of what David’s plotting he runs to who? He runs to Abigail. She hears . . . she fears . . . she springs into action. She loads up the donkeys with food and heads out to persuade David to change course of action. And check out, how she does that!

With humility she falls on her face and bows before David (25:23) . . . and then she says, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt” (25:24). What bravery . . . what humility . . . what true beauty! With face to the ground she pleads with David to see her as the failing point and to allow her to attempt to atone for it. It was her fault, she says, that she was not there when David’s men arrived looking for lunch and thus had to deal with Nabal. So she says, “Please forgive the trespass of your servant” (25:28). And though she humbles herself before the one she knows is the “king-to-be,” she also boldly reasons with him . . . suggesting that, should he fulfill his desire to avenge himself on Nabal by killing him and his male servants, he would eventually regret it — it would bring grief and inflict on his conscience “the staggering burden of needless bloodshed” (25:31 NIV).

What a woman! Really almost incidental that she had outward beauty. It’s the beauty of her character that bursts forth like glorious rays of the sun peeking over the hills at dawn! She is wise . . . she is insightful . . . she is compassionate . . . she is resourceful . . . she is articulate . . . and above all, she is humble. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10) Isn’t that the essence of true beauty . . . for a male or female . . . authentic humility?

She humbles herself . . . and she is exalted. God is David’s avenger . . . God is the judge of Nabal’s selfish and arrogant behavior. When Nabal realizes how close to disaster he came, he has a heart attack and eventually dies (25:37-38). David recognizes God’s protecting hand on him . . . that it was God who used this woman of God to prevent David from doing something really dumb. And the beauty of Abigail attracts David . . . the inner beauty of this classy lady connects with this “man after God’s own heart” . . . and he proposes to her . . . and, in true Abigail fashion, she bows her face to the earth and says, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” (25:41)

And there it is!!! That’s the something in Abigial that looks beyond her. Who else do I know who was willing to be a servant and wash the feet of others? Who else was willing to assume the guilt for another? Who else brought an offering to avert wrath? Who else possesses wisdom and exuding beauty? That’s why this lady stands out! That’s what attracts my attention to her this morning. In Abigail I see glimpses of the Savior.

I read about Abigail . . . I think about Jesus. O’ Lord, Your’e beautiful!

Posted in 1Samuel | Leave a comment

A Heart Jesus Can Touch

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Pete

This morning’s reading in the gospel of Mark was just seven short verses . . . but man, some pretty serious food for chewing on here. An encounter between a scribe and a Savior . . . a seeker of truth and a Speaker of truth . . . a King and someone not far from the kingdom. It’s a question and answer period . . . an attempt to take the profound and make it simple — and in doing so, lose none of its profoundness . . . all the commandments boiled down into just two. And in the end, I find myself learning not just from the answer, but also from the questioner.

A scribe, a teacher of the law, has been listening to Jesus debate the Pharisees about the lawfulness of paying taxes to Caesar. He’s been following closely Jesus’ teachings to the Sadducees concerning the resurrection (Mark 12:13-27). And then, he too approaches Jesus. Like the others who had confronted Jesus, it seems from Matthew 22:35 that he intended at first to trap Jesus with his question . . . but from the Mark account you also sense that his heart is more open than Jesus’ previous questioners as he recognizes that Jesus has “answered them well” (12:28). And I’m thinking that’s all the Lord needs in a heart. Even if motives might not be pure, a heart that is at all seeking truth is a heart Jesus can touch.

And so this expert in the law asks him a simple question, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

What a great question . . . “Boil it down for me. What’s at the heart of following God? I’m not bright enough to remember all the commandments . . . I’m not disciplined enough to follow all the commandments. So give it to me in a nutshell . . . which is the first commandment?” And Jesus gives him more than he asks for. In effect, the Lord says, “Your question is a good one, but it comes up short . . . there isn’t just one, but two commandments that are at the heart of God’s law . . .

“‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”   (Mark 12:29-31 ESV)

There it is! Good questions set the stage for great answers. Succinct . . to the point . . . but oh, how far-reaching the implications.

But great truth won’t have great impact if it doesn’t have a great response. Cue the scribe’s response:

“You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that He is one, and there is no other besides Him. And to love Him with all the heart and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”   (Mark 12:32-33 ESV)

Bingo!!! Home run!!! This teacher of the law is willing to become a student . . . this debater of truth has a heart that is also seeking truth . . . this tester of Jesus is on his way to becoming a follower of Jesus. By God’s grace, and through the power of the Living Word, he’s getting it.

And so this morning, it’s not just Jesus’ answer that challenges me . . . it’s the scribes openness to Jesus’ answer which has me thinking. Because of the scribes sincere desire for truth, though he may have been antagonistic at first, when he hears truth, he embraces it. Although Jesus may not have lined up with his preconceived ideas of what Messiah should look like . . . although Jesus teachings may have been challenging his biases . . . when he heard truth, he received truth. And so, Jesus says, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (v 34).

Oh, how I can learn from this scribe. I’ve done some studying . . . I’ve developed some views of Scripture’s teaching . . . I’ve formed some level of theological conclusions on different matters . . . but, how I need to continue to listen for the Master’s voice and be ready to hear His truth. How I need to keep asking the questions . . . seeking the truth . . . desiring wisdom and understanding . . . and then, willingly receive it . . . even when it might not align with my agenda. How I need to continue to be a student and humbly look to Him as the Teacher. How I need to resist the temptation to think I’ve got it all figured out, but continue to seek His voice . . . and when I hear it, to respond, “Well said, Teacher!” How I need a heart Jesus can touch!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Mark | Leave a comment

Spoon Fed

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Pete

With some passages of Scripture, in order to “pick up” what the Spirit of God is “laying down,” you need to lean in and really dig to find the morsels. But with other passages, you are, in a sense, “spoon fed.” With those portions of God’s Word, it’s less about trying to find something to chew on, and more about trying to digest all that’s presented. Psalm 103 is one of those “spoon feed you” type of passages. The application . . . the response . . . the “command to obey” is pretty clear . . . “Bless the Lord!” . . . or if you’re a NIV reader, “Praise the Lord!”

Not too complicated . . . but oh, what a high and lofty calling . . . to join with angels, heavenly hosts, and all creation . . . to summon up and garner from within my inner most being . . . to draw upon all that is within me . . . to bow the knee . . . and bless the Lord! But some days, honestly, I don’t feel up to the task . . . sometimes “all that is within me” doesn’t seem like all that much . . . and, it doesn’t feel like I can spare any. Yeah, but that’s where the psalmist’s approach and the rest of this wonderful song come into a play.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all His benefits . . .    (Psalm 103:1-2 ESV)

Within those two verses is the grand theme and the divine approach for David’s song to his soul. David commands his soul to bless the Lord . . . it’s not a suggestion . . . it’s not an optional feature . . . it is an imperative . . . that from his inmost being and with all that is within him, he should bless the Lord. And, David provides us with insight on how to “prime the pump.” First, refocus on His holy name . . . second, reflect on His mighty works.

Not to craft a “worship formula” or anything, but I do think that at the essence of worship . . . at the heart of soul-sourced, all that is within me, praise . . . is the fresh appreciation of who God is and what God has done. Too often we can skim over “His holy name” and jump right to “all His benefits” . . . but in combination they take the weary soul . . . the depleted worshipper . . . and replenish the “well of praise” from the “Fount of every blessing”.

His holy name . . . the essence of who He is . . . He is the Lord of righteousness and justice (103:6). In His name, His glory is revealed . . . He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (compare 103:8 with Exodus 33:18 and Exodus 34:5-8). He is the God of immense compassion for He knows our feeble frame and remembers that we are dust (103:13-14). By the very nature of His eternal being, the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting (103:17). He rules and reigns on high and His kingdom is over all — His throne established in heaven (103:19). This is our God! This is His holy name! This is His person! Oh, bless the Lord, O my soul!

And then, there’s all His benefits . . . His wondrous works. Check out 103:3-5 . . . He forgives all our iniquity . . . He heals all our soul diseases . . . He redeems our life from death and destruction . . . He crowns us with His steadfast love and overflowing mercy . . . He satisfies us with good things . . . He renews our strength.

How great is our God? How mighty are His works on our behalf? How wondrous are all His benefits? How amazing is His grace? Pretty great! Pretty mighty! Pretty wondrous! Pretty amazing!

Some mornings I just need to be spoon fed.

Bless the LORD, O my soul . . .

Posted in Psalms | Leave a comment

To Be Like Jonathan

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Pete

Goliath, Saul, and Jonathan all had at least one thing in common . . . David! David the son of Jesse. David of Bethlehem. David the shepherd boy. David the musician. David the warrior. And, it was as the warrior that David separated these three men. Goliath derided him . . . Saul resented him . . .but Jonathan loved him. Goliath saw David as a joke . . . Saul viewed David as a threat . . . Jonathan recognized David as the king. David had a way of polarizing people . . . kind of like his distant descendant, Jesus. And I want to be like Jonathan.

Reading in 1Samuel 17 and 18 this morning.

Scene 1 . . . David meets Goliath. In this corner, wearing but the clothes of a shepherd boy, David. David, anointed of God . . . declared to one day be king . . . filled with the Spirit of God. David ready to do battle . . . but not as the world would expect. Without impressive armor . . . without the standard weapons of earthly warfare . . . he marches into battle confident in only one thing . . . confident in the name of the LORD of hosts, the living God. In the opposing corner, with enough armor on to build a small train engine, Goliath. Goliath, big as a truck . . . Goliath the man eater . . . Goliath the mocker . . . Goliath the self confident . . . soon to be Goliath the dead. In his arrogance, the uncircumcised Philistine looks with disdain on the shepherd boy before him . . . mocks his opponent’s choice of weapons . . . but eventually goes facedown before the boy who would be king.

And how many look upon Jesus as Goliath did upon David. Uncircumcised in heart, dead in trespass and sin, when they are presented the Son they see no form or majesty that they should look at Him, and no beauty that they should desire Him (Isa. 53:2). They look to the cross and see but a sling and stones and laugh in derision. Their power and might is in themselves, and “the message of the cross is foolishness.” “But to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1Cor. 1:18). And so the Goliaths meet the Davids and laugh their heads off (in Goliath’s case, literally).

Next, Saul and David. Saul may have been more realistic about his own power . . . but he was no less determined to maintain his own position. Saul was celebrated as a slayer of thousands, but David was extolled as the slayer of tens of thousands (1Sam. 18:7) . . . and that choked Saul big time! Their wasn’t enough glory to go around for the two of them . . . and Saul wanted it all. It’s not that Saul didn’t recognize that David was God’s anointed, but that he regarded himself as his own anointed . . . and the throne wasn’t big enough for both of them.

God has anointed the greater David, Jesus, as King. He has “highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Php. 2:9-11). And, it’s true, the throne isn’t big enough for two. And those who resent and resist the Christ’s claim on the throne of their lives are destined for a long, slow, deposing of their claim to what is rightfully His. Don’t wanna be a Saul.

But I do want to be like Jonathan!

Though Jonathan was a mighty man of valor in his own right, when this son of Saul encountered the Bethlehemite, Jonathan was so drawn to David that a deep, abiding bond was formed . . . that they were knit together . . . “and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” (1Sam. 18:1). Though Jonathan possessed the rights to the throne . . . though he was the heir apparent . . . he “stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt” (18:3). Jonathan released all claims on what the world said was rightfully his and placed them at the feet of another . . . because he loved him as his own soul.

Isn’t that the posture we, as believers, have taken with David’s greater Son? Recognizing Him as LORD . . . loving Him with the soul He has redeemed . . . relinquishing all that we might think we deserve . . . we surrender all to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Any view of what we think we might deserve fades away as we remember that we are but sinners deserving only of the wages of sin, but have, instead, been saved by wondrous grace. Any potential we think we might possess, is placed in His hands to command and direct as He desires. Any garments of glory we think might be ascribed to us, are stripped off and laid at His feet . . . for He alone is worthy of all glory. And we love Him . . . with all our soul . . . because He first loved us.

Yeah, I want to be like Jonathan. You too?

Posted in 1Samuel | Leave a comment

A Heart Wide Open

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Pete

There were some among them who weren’t so sure about Paul. Self-proclaimed “super apostles” had come among them competing for their follower-ship. In so doing, they planted seeds of doubt concerning Paul’s credentials . . . and they had cast suspicion on Paul’s motives. So, not only does Paul write another letter to those in Corinth in order to contend for their faith, but he also writes to contend for his relationship with his children in the faith. And it’s got me thinking this morning of how important it is to have a heart wide open.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.  
(2Corinthians 6:11-13 ESV)

By way of degree, I would suggest that most of us, most often, tend to be somewhat guarded. That, on a continuum defined by “throw the door wide open” on one side, and “open the door just a crack with the safety chain still on” on the other side, most of us tend to cautiously approach relationships from behind the door . . . and that might be as true as anywhere when it comes to fellowship with the people of God.

We’ll extend our right hands on Sunday morning . . . we’ll greet one another with “Hi, how are ya’?” . . . and we’ll respond, “Fine, thanks” . . . but there’s a healthy distance being maintained in the midst of our close fellowship. Instead, I’m wondering if more of us wouldn’t benefit from a heart wide open.

A heart wide open . . . a broad heart . . . an enlarged heart . . . a welcoming and embracing heart. A heart so impacted by the gospel of grace that it throws the door wide open to the things of grace . . . and to the people who, like us, have known the blessing of grace.

Paul appeals to these Corinth believers “not to receive the grace of God in vain” (6:1) . . . to not let pass the current time of favor . . . to not constrain the day of salvation. Instead of believing the implications of the freedom found in the gospel, they were guarded and calculated and, as such, were restricted in their affections to those who lived freely in the reality of the grace of God.

They saw Paul swimming in the deep end of grace’s ocean and were perhaps a bit cynical . . . “He probably has water wings on.” They heard him calling them to join him, and jump in off the high board, and were maybe a bit distrusting . . . “Why? What does he really want? What’s in it for him? Is he really able to stay afloat there, or is he standing on something?” Paul was all in . . . but they weren’t so sure. Paul wore his desire for them on his sleeve . . . they responded with constrained, cramped, and compressed affections. What they needed was a heart wide open. They needed to believe the gospel and receive the grace . . . and then swim in the deep end.

In the latter part of this chapter, Paul would tell them not to be unequally yoked with idols . . . not so that they could become the temple of God . . . but because, through the gospel and by the grace of God, they were ALREADY the temple of God. Paul would instruct them to pursue the things of righteousness . . . not so that they could work their way on to God’s team . . . but because, through the gospel and by the grace of God, they were ALREADY the people of God, the sons and daughters of the Father. And, Paul would plead with those he considered his children in Christ, to widen their hearts also . . . not that they might receive more favor . . . but that they might know the fullness of that which they already possessed in Christ.

A heart wide open . . . towards the people of God . . . because of the grace of God . . . all for the glory of God.

Posted in 2Corinthians | Leave a comment

Taking Aim

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Pete

Reading the fifth chapter of 2Corinthians is like drinking out of a fire hose. There is a ton of stuff packed into this short chapter of Scripture.

There’s the reminder that one day I will be absent from the body and “at home” with the Lord (5:8) . . . that I will put on my “heavenly dwelling” (5:2) . . . a “building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (5:1). That God has prepared immortality for this mortal man (5:4). Talk about being forward thinking!!! And there’s more. Beyond what awaits me, there’s a reminder of what should control me . . . the love of Christ (2:14). The love shown in the “One who died for all” (2:14-15) . . . the One through whom “God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (5:19). A love shown to the world . . . a love which profoundly impacted my life . . . God having reconciled me to Himself through Christ (5:18). How? “He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (5:21). Reconciled and righteous . . . controlled by the love of Christ . . . waiting for a new home. That’s me! Praise God! Yup, a ton of good stuff in 2Corinthians Five!

And buried in the middle of all this is a pretty simple . . . but pretty profound “so what?” How does someone respond to such a reality?

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.    (2Corinthians 5:9 ESV)

How’s that for something to “lock and load” on? How’s that for a life’s mission statement? To please Him!

Not too complicated really . . . not a lot of “dos and don’ts” at play . . . just a foundational response to all that Christ is . . . and all that Christ has done . . . and all that awaits us as reconciled and righteous sinners saved by grace.

To please Him . . . what a driving force . . . what a defining context . . . what a direction setting determination.

Consider it the “home setting” on our life’s GPS. When all is said and done, what do I want my life to accomplish? To be well pleasing to Him! What footprints do I want to leave behind? That I lived a life, as much as lied within me, which was acceptable and honoring to my Savior. When asked what motivated me? That I might one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That’s what I want to take aim on.

But as I think about such a whole-hearted, single-focused desire being my foundational driving force, I realize how double-minded and wavering and flakey I can be. How easy it is for other things to become that inner “true North” . . . how distracted I can become by other “priorities” . . . how my aim can get thrown off as other “targets” catch my eye. I guess that’s why I need to keep coming back to the Book. Why I need to keep asking the Spirit to show me afresh the wonders of my God . . . and the redeeming work of my Savior. That, in doing so, it renews that desire to respond . . . it recalibrates the target on my radar . . . it refocuses me on the prize set before me. Such that I determine afresh to take aim on living a life that pleases Him.

Only by His grace . . . all for His glory.

Posted in 2Corinthians | Leave a comment