God’s Fine Motor Skills

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Pete

When reading Jonah, I used to be almost solely focused on the prophet gone prodigal and the lessons that I could learn from him . . . the “what not to do’s”. But over the past few years, when I engage with this book as part of my reading plan, God, and what He does, captures more and more of the center stage for me. In addition to His interaction with Jonah . . . and His lack of intervention with the Ninevites. . ., I am a bit blown away by God’s interplay with nature. I take note of His interplay with the weather . . . with the sea and creatures in the sea . . . with plant life . . . and, yes, with even a worm. I wonder if sometimes I might think about God as being so big that He only interacts with this world at a macro level. Kind of that “His fingers” are so big that I don’t expect Him to be able to exercise “fine motor skills” here on earth.

God is extremely active in the account of Jonah . . He does a lot of stuff in this little book. Check out this very brief summary . . . “The word of the LORD came to Jonah” (1:1) . . . “the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea” (1:4) . . . “the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah” (1:17) . . . “the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon dry land” (2:10) . . . “the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time” (3:1) . . . “God saw how they (the Ninevites) turned from their evil way . . . God relented . . . God did not do it [bring disaster on them]” (3:10) . . . “the LORD God appointed a plant” (4:6) . . . “God appointed a worm” (4:7) . . . “God appointed a scorching east wind” (4:8) . . . and then God spoke to Jonah again (4:9-11).

I’m in awe of all the “dials” God turned in order to direct one stubborn called-of-God prophet. Everything from stirring the elements . . . to commanding a fish, “Ok . . . that dudes had enough–time to upchuck him” . . . to moving a worm to have an elephant’s appetite. How awesome is our God?

And it makes me wonder, how many earthly “dials” God is adjusting around me in order to teach me what I need to learn. To pause and consider where, with His fingertips, He is ordering the details about me such that He might direct me to a place where I might humble myself before His throne. Of what He’s “tweaking” in order to help me to have “ears to hear” what the Spirit desires to say to me?

I fear that, for the most part, on a daily basis I am absolutely oblivious to the possibility of God working in the fine details and circumstances of my world. But if God is the “the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17) . . . and He is . . . why wouldn’t I at least entertain the possibility that He can be just as active in the day-to-day stuff around me today as He was with Jonah way back then?

God is awesome in power . . . and mighty in deed. And it’s not just in the parting of seas or creating of tempests or setting afire scorching winds, but its also in growing a plant, directing a fish, and prompting a worm to go on a binge-fest.

I’m amazed at the thought of how involved God is in our world . . . and at the most detailed and intricate of levels. I don’t need to see Him working . . . I don’t need to understand every cause and effect ordained by Him . . . but my desire is to hear His voice and recognize His presence as it pleases Him to reveal Himself in the small things.

O that I might know and expect that He still works with “fine motor skills” to shape this lump of clay for His glory.

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Blessed Anticipation

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Pete

For many, it is a season of anticipation. The anticipation of giving gifts . . . the anticipation of receiving gifts. The anticipation of family gatherings . . . the anticipation of making more memories. For some, it is the anticipation of the happiest time of the year . . . and sadly, for some, the dread of the loneliest time of the year. But at the core of it all, there should be a reliving of the anticipation of the arrival of the promised Child. He who was to be born of a virgin . . . whose name was to be called Jesus . . . who was to come to save people from their sin. We meditate on the wonders of His birth . . . the glory of angels praising God . . . the awe of no name shepherds standing before a manger. This is a time of anticipation.

Two of my readings this morning broadened that realm of anticipation . . .

After spending some quality one-on-one time with His disciples, Jesus and His disciples withdrew to the garden (John 18:1). A place they had been before . . . a place of prayer . . . soon to be a place of betrayal . . . a place, John says, of anticipation.

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” . . .    (John 18:4-5a ESV)

That phrase pounds in my head . . . “knowing all that would happen to Him.” Jesus knew how these next hours would play out. The arrest . . . the bogus trial . . . the beatings . . . the mocking. He would stand before the elite of Israel and before the representative of Rome . . . only to be sacrificed for their personal agenda’s. He would be led to a hill . . . He would be nailed to a cross . . . forsaken of the Father . . . wounded for our transgressions . . . crushed for our iniquities. He knew all that would happen to Him. O, the dread anticipation of the cross.

I’m thinking that the anticipation that is ours during this season cannot be allowed to occur in isolation. But that it needs to be enveloped in the reality that He was born to die . . . that the Son of God was given that He might be the Lamb of God . . . that Immanuel became flesh that He might pour out His lifeblood for the remission of sin and the redemption of many. O, what bittersweet anticipation.

Then I read in Revelation of another facet of the anticipation . . .

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.”
(Revelation 11:15 ESV)

John, in his vision of things to come, enters into the anticipation of a King coming fully into His kingdom. That day when He who was born “king of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2) will be shown to all to be the King of Kings. Heaven holds its breath as the final trumpet is blown . . . as the beginning of the end of the age is initiated . . . as the final countdown is initiated which will culminate with the Christ child reigning forever and ever.

And I’m also thinking that the anticipation of Christmas day should cause us to look beyond the season and towards a day yet to come when He will return in all His glory. That the manger, after giving away to the cross, will soon give way to a throne. That He is not just a babe to be cooed over, but a Sovereign to bow before and pledge our allegiance to. O holy night when Christ was born . . . O glorious day when Christ will return to reign!

What blessed anticipation! Amen?

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An Answer to the Savior’s Prayer

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Pete

It was a bit weird as our small group connected that following Sunday. The last time we had been together, as is our custom after our study, we had prayed. In particular, one of the people we prayed for was a brother’s grandmother. She was in her 90’s . . . suffering from dementia . . . isolated further by deafness . . . and had recently had a bad fall. We had been asked to pray that, if it was the Father’s will, that He might take her home. Seemed to be the merciful thing to do . . . our brother knowing that it was the desire of his grandmother’s heart. A few days later she was promoted into glory. That Sunday, as we came together after hearing of her passing, we found it kind of weird to acknowledge that our prayer had been answered because this elderly saint was no long among the living . . . at least, not among the living on earth. But something I read in John 17 this morning caused me to remember that her departure was also an answer to the Savior’s prayer.

Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.   (John 17:24 ESV)

WWJW? What would Jesus want? That those precious souls given Him by the Father would be with Him . . . that His sheep might come into His pasture . . . that His bride might come to their Bridegroom . . . that the redeemed would be with their Redeemer. Jesus wants His people to be with Him. Even now He is preparing a place for His own . . . “that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3). And every time a saint graduates from this scene, it’s an answer to the Savior’s prayer.

Being in His presence, though, is only the beginning. The ultimate prize being the blessing of seeing the glory given the Son by the Father. To be in His presence is to behold His glory. That which we have but a foretaste of through the illuminating work of the Spirit will give way to attentive gazes with immortal eyes. Not some passing glance, but an awe-induced fixed stare . . . an intensive focus set on discerning that which will take away our breathes . . . trying to take in every detail and nuance of His manifested majesty. Beholding the glory of the Son . . . it’s an answer to the Savior’s prayer.

And in being in His presence . . . through beholding His glory . . . we will enter into a depth of communion of which we cannot imagine . . . the very essence of the communion found in the Triune nature of the eternal God. Before the foundation of the world, the Father was loving the Son in the Spirit. God is love and, within the community of His own Triune being, He has been loving since before the earth was formed. Creation then, in a sense, being the product of His desire to love. Redemption then, being driven by the very nature of God to love . . . for God so loved the world. And, on that day, when faith gives way to sight . . . when this tent is shed for our heavenly dwelling . . . we will enter into the depths of fellowship known by God Himself within Himself. This too, being an answer to the Savior’s prayer.

O’ to behold His glory! The glory given Him by the Father . . . the glory that drives all of heaven facedown in worship.

What an answer to prayer! All praise be to the Prayer!

Amen?

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Them

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Pete

I know who “them” is . . . both specifically and generally. “Them,” specifically, are those who, in the time of Jesus, believed in Jesus. Those who on the night before Jesus was betrayed listened as He gave His “going home” speech. They are those who had followed Him for the past three years and, while others fell away and stopped following, they hung in there . . . believing He was the Son of God . . . though not fully appreciating all that the Son of God would be asked of the Father to do. “Them” were kind of a rag tag bunch . . . mostly blue collar types . . . the “professional” among them being a tax collector. Not the elite of society . . . not so accomplished that they stood head and shoulders above the crowd . . . but “them” were those who believed. And since then, generally, “them” are those who have believed in the Christ and His saving work throughout the ages. And in them, He is glorified.

For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given me, for they are Yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.    — Jesus praying to the Father (John 17:8-10 ESV)

I like reading John 17 as if I’m kind of eavesdropping on Someone praying for me. My soul stirred . . . my spirit humbled . . . as I hear again that I have been given of the Father to the Son. That somehow in the horizon of eternity, the seemingly parallel railroad tracks of my choosing to believe and His choosing of Me come together in the fullness of the mystery of salvation. I chose Him . . . but He first chose Me. I love Him . . . because He first loved Me. I have received the gift of salvation . . . the Son has been given those who believe. Do I quite get how the whole dynamic fits together . . . not really. But that doesn’t keep me from liking the sound of the Savior praying for those given to Him by the Father.

Do I somehow think I merited such favor? . . . absolutely not . . . I know me better. Do I wonder at the grace and calling of God . . . pretty much! Do I like being prayed for by the Savior . . . music to the ears.

But what’s really pushed the awe-o-meter over the top is the declaration by the Creator of all things that in “them” He is glorified. Like I said . . . I know who “them” were. None of them would be able to stay awake and pray with Him on the night before He endured the cross . . .all of them would flee and abandon the Master . . . one of them would even deny, three times, that He even knew the Messiah. And yet Jesus says He would be glorified in them.

And I know who “them” is today . . . “them” be me. A sinner saved by grace still trying to fully figure out this pilgrim way. Though brought into marvelous light, continually battling that which would seek to draw me back into the darkness of this world. Though made a new creation in Christ, daily doing battle with the old man . . . the Spirit within me arm wrestling the flesh . . . often winning, but not always. And in the “them” that is me . . . Jesus says He would be glorified. Unreal!!!

O the grace of God! For not many of them “were wise according to the worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” . . . but God chose them . . . that with mustard seed faith they might believe . . . and be grafted into Christ “who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” . . . that in them He might be glorified. Therefore, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1Cor. 1:26-31).

Do I fully get it? . . . not yet, but one day. Do I fully desire it? . . . that He would be glorified in me?  Yes, Lord!

Be glorified in “them” . . . be glorified in me.

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Take Heart!

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Pete

Reading in Revelation this morning. Of John . . . in heaven . . . by the transport of the Spirit . . . weeping aloud. You don’t equate heaven with crying very much. But John weeps because heaven comes to a stop as a mighty angel with a loud voice asks a question, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” (Rev. 5:2) And heaven pauses . . . and looks around . . . and “no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it” (5:3). And in that hush . . . in that moment of divine silence . . . panic sets in . . . John’s brain does not compute. No one worthy to bring the church to final victory? No one suitable or deserving of fulfilling the hope of the ages? John weeps.

And then He appears. A Lamb amidst the throne . . . as though it had been slain yet shining forth in glory and power . . . identified as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David. Worthy to take the scroll . . . worthy of all heaven’s homage as those who had bowed and worshiped before the throne now fall before Him. Worthy, because He has “conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals” (5:5).

Before coming to this awe invoking scene I had been reading another of John’s writings, his gospel. Reading some of Jesus’ last words to His own before He would suffer on a cross . . . and be raised from the dead . . . and be taken back into heaven. And in those words was this promise . . .

I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.  —  Jesus     (John 16:33 ESV)

Take heart . . . I have overcome the world.

The promise echoes beyond the chaos His disciples would experience that next day. The promise reverberates long after they witnessed the empty tomb and encountered the risen Christ. Pulsing beyond His ascension . . . and the price they would eventually pay for their witness to a world at war with its Creator. The flow of the promise pouring into a vast congregation throughout history who have known the reality of tribulation in this world and yet, a peace that passes understanding. Having taken heart . . . having been of good cheer . . . having been strengthened by divine comfort . . . because He has conquered.

I’m thinking that sometimes we experience on earth what John, in his vision, experienced in heaven. An apparently unsolvable question . . . a momentary pause of panic as we think, “What now?” Hearing the silence, we don’t know what to think . . . or what to do . . . save weep. It is then (for how many has this been the experience?) . . . it is then that He emerges from the confusion . . . that He shows Himself anew as the Lion . . . reveals Himself afresh as the King . . . reminds us again that He is the Lamb who has conquered . . . and our souls are flooded with an inexplicable calm. Nothing’s changed, except our focus . . . nothing’s different, but the Conqueror in our midst.

Able to take the scroll and, with might, to wrap up the age . . . but willing also, as He sympathizes with our weakness, to bear us up through the next few minutes . . . to draw near through the next few days or weeks or months . . . to whisper in our ears through His Spirit, “Take heart! I have overcome!”

And because He has overcome . . . because He has conquered . . . because the One who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, is indeed is interceding for us . . . “in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:34-37).

To Him be all glory!

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
(Revelation 5:13-14 ESV)

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An Open Door . . . A Loud Voice

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Pete

I’m a skipper. I skip ahead. I know what’s coming so I gloss over stuff until I get there. Some parts of God’s Word I read . . . some parts I speed read. Some verses I chew on . . . and others I barely taste. Such, I think, is the case most often with the opening verses of Revelation 4. I’m so excited to leave the things of earth, where the Son of Man walks amidst the churches, and be drawn into the happenings of heaven where the twenty-four elders go facedown before the throne of God. I’m so ready to leave the continual call for those who have ears, to hear, and move to the rhythm of heaven, where living creatures beyond imagination cry out, day and night without ceasing, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD God Almighty!” But in that anticipation, most often I miss the transition. But not this morning. For some reason (can anyone say Spirit of truth) I’m drawn to an open door and a loud voice.

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne.   (Revelation 4:1-2 ESV)

That there should be a door standing open in heaven should be enough, in and of itself, to illicit great praise. That mortal men should have any access into eternal realms . . . that sinful man would possess any hope of passage into God’s holy presence . . . is a reminder of God’s over-the-top love . . . and Christ’s hold-nothing-back sacrifice.

The door is open because God the Father so loved the world. It is open because God the Son so humbled Himself . . . making “Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men . . . And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” The Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29), shedding His blood as the once-for-all atoning sacrifice for man’s rebellion. And, having offered Himself on the altar of Calvary’s cruel cross, the work was finished . . . and the barrier to the Most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom . . . and a door into heaven was propped open.

But what good is an open door if no one knows about it? What good is sure passage if it’s obscured by the distractions of the storms of this life? Cue the loud voice!

John heard “the first voice” . . . a loud voice like a trumpet . . . the voice he had encountered back in chapter one . . . the voice of “One like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. . . . the hairs of His head were white like wool, as white as snow . . . His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters” (Rev. 1:10-15). It is the voice of the King of Kings, Himself, to His redeemed people . . . the voice of the Shepherd to His lost-and-found sheep . . . the voice of the Bridegroom to His blood-bought Bride . . . the voice of the Son of God to those He calls brothers and sisters. It is the voice that says, “Come up here!”

O what grace that we have heard and responded to the voice that beckons to all people, “Believe in me!” What grace that we continue to hear the voice, through the active agency of the Spirit within us, inviting us into deeper and deeper relationship, “Abide with me!” What grace that, one day, we too will see the open door and hear His blessed voice, “Come up here! Behold, I will show you the fulfillment of your hope . . . the ultimate fruit of your faith.”

An open door . . . a loud voice . . . a guy sitting in his chair at his desk lingering over the wonder of it all . . . not a skipper today . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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Just Grace

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Pete

You don’t need to wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday in order to take advantage of this offer. Doesn’t matter what time of year you’re ready to purchase, the deals the same. Anyway, it’s not really a matter of how much you can pay . . . it’s already been paid for. The currency is grace . . . no limit on the card . . . no minimum monthly payments . . . just grace.

I’m reading the last letter to the seven churches in Revelation . . . the letter to the church of Laodicea. Perhaps the best known of the seven churches . . . seems that the picture of vomiting has a way of sticking with people. The Laodicean’s were the lukewarm church . . . the neither hot nor cold assembly . . . the “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing” congregation of the self-righteous. Enough to look the part . . . measuring up to their own standard . . . pretty content in who they were and what they had done. Barf!

But what strikes me this morning is that “the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation” (3:14) doesn’t just spew them out and walk away. Rather He professes His love for them (3:19) . . . and then, He offers them a deal . . .

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.    (Revelation 3:18 ESV)

They could buy gold refined by fire . . . the Calvary tried gold of the cross . . . the Founder of their salvation made perfect through suffering that many might be brought to glory (Heb. 2:10) . . . He who possessed the riches of eternity becoming poor for our sake, that we “by His poverty might become rich” (2Cor. 8:9). They could buy white garments to cover their nakedness . . . robe themselves in the imputed righteousness of Christ . . . clothe themselves in His purity and spotlessness . . . stand sure in His merit. And, they could buy salve that would open blind eyes . . . the revealed Word of God illuminated through the active agency of the Spirit of God . . . given insight which transcends their self-centered view of the world . . . possessing the mind of Christ . . . understanding something of the mysteries of heaven.

That’s the offer Jesus makes to those worthy only of being spit out of His mouth. And the currency to make such purchases?  Grace . . . just grace.

It’s wan’t about earning the dough in order to buy the goods . . . but about opening the door in order to dine with God . . .

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him and eat with him, and he with Me.    (Revelation 3:20 ESV)

It wasn’t about doing more . . . actually, they had done enough. It was about receiving more . . . about grace, abundant grace. No need to desperately search for Him, He’s standing at the door. No need to frantically plead with Him to enter . . . He’s knocking, He wants in. Just opening the door . . . and letting Him come in . . . and reclining in intimate fellowship with Him at the table.

That’s the deal . . . no standing in line all night to get it . . . just opening the door. No need to work harder . . . to earn enough . . . to save up more . . . in order to afford it. Because it’s of grace . . . just grace.

O’ thank God for His amazing grace!

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He Knows

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Pete

The rhythm of Revelation chapters two and three is pretty evident. Seven letters to seven churches. The churches are described as seven lampstands . . . they are represented by seven angels . . . and in their midst is He who has the seven spirits of God. And the letters are patterned the same. Addressed to the angel of the church, they begin with a brief description of some attribute of the Author. There is then an assessment of their works. For most of the churches, but not all, there is commendation for faithfulness. And, for some of the churches, there is rebuke and a call to return to being the church that Christ intended. Finally there is a promise for “the one who conquers” followed by a final exhortation to “he who has an ear” to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Pretty recognizable pattern. The cadence is clear. The rhythm reverberates.

But what’s caught my attention is the foundational beat of the rhythm . . . the reality behind each of these letters . . . the source of each commendation . . . the source of each correction. Jesus, the One in the midst of the lampstands, knows what’s going on within His church.

Seven letters and seven times Jesus says, “I know.” To the churches at Ephesus, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodecia, Jesus says, “I know your works.” To the church in Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty and the slander.” To Pergamum He says, “I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.” In every letter Jesus reminds His church, He knows.

Regardless of what church government structure a local body of believers might adopt, I’m thinking it can be easy to forget who’s really in charge. Whether our organization structure tops out at the pastor . . . or at a body of elders . . . or at a bishop, or such, over many congregations . . . the rhythm of Revelation reminds me that Jesus is the Head of the Church . . . and that He knows.

God has appointed Him as head over the body (Eph. 1:22-23). As head over the body, He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, “that in everything He might be preeminent” (Col. 1:18). And the expectation is that “we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4:15). And so, while we might focus on our polices and practices and programming, we need to do so keeping in mind that the Head of our church knows His church and seeks to direct His church.

That’s why everything we do needs to be submitted to His will for the church.

Each local body of believers is unique . . . God having brought into fellowship a sovereignly determined mix of blood-bought, Spirit-enabled, gifted body parts. Each individual called to do their part . . . each congregation called to ministry in the context of their location and their situation. And among each of these local gatherings of His people, He is in their midst . . . and He knows.

And so, ours needs to be to align ourselves to, and evaluate ourselves against, His Word. Ours needs to be to seek His leading and submit our planning to His Spirit in prayer. Ours needs to be to remember that He knows . . . and that He cares . . . and that He is building His church.

Our is to have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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Let Righteousness Rain

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Pete

God’s covenant people, planted as a vine to bear much fruit, instead emptied themselves into the altars of false gods . . . and, as such, became a dead vine . . . a vine laid waste. Planted through the promise of abundant blessing in a fertile place, they had become a dry land . . . a dry and barren land. The ground had become hard. Seed, sown through the word of God and the evidence of His presence, was blown away by the winds of rebellion and infidelity. Though they thought they were living, they were dead. And as I continue reading in the prophets, God’s just-ness compels Him to warn of judgment. But God’s love, compassion, and grace, propel Him to continue to offer a way of escape. This morning I hear the Father’s plea, Let righteousness rain!

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.    (Hosea 10:12 ESV)

It’s time to seek the LORD . . . that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.

A much needed plea for a withered vine which has spent itself in pursuit of false lovers . . . a much needed reminder for a sinner saved by grace with a heart prone to wander.

There is a righteousness available to be poured out upon the people of God. They sow the seed of righteousness . . . they prime the pump of the outpouring . . . by faith. But the righteousness is not their own. It is that of Another. It is not earned . . . it is gifted. It is not of merit . . . it is of grace. And mine is seek the LORD that the righteousness might rain.

I was also reading in John 15:1-8 this morning. Jesus identifies Himself as “the true vine” . . . the Father as the vinedresser . . . and His own as branches intended to bear fruit. Kind of like His ancient people Israel, huh?

He says that a branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine . . . neither can a follower of Christ bear fruit unless he remains, or continues, in fellowship with the risen Savior. He says that fruit bearing is an evidence of discipleship. And He says, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.”

So I’m thinking how much I don’t want to be barren . . . how much I long to avoid becoming like dry and hardened land . . . how regretful I’d be if I became unable to bear fruit because my heart sought another.

O that I might continue to seek the Lord . . . the His righteousness would continue to rain down upon me. That I might continually break up the fallow ground . . . that His grace would pour out upon me . . . that I might abide in Him . . . that His life, through His blessed Holy Spirit, might flow through me.

Let righteousness rain . . . that fruit might be born . . . that others might know we are His disciples . . . that God might receive all the glory.

Amen?

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Wondering at the Fringes . . . Desiring the Fullness

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Pete

I think it’s pretty easy to fall into a mindset that puts us at the center of life. After all, by the very nature of perspective, things are viewed in terms of where we stand . . . encountered in the context of what we have experienced . . . processed against the body of knowledge we have acquired. I’m just thinking that it’s kind of natural to see the universe as it relates to me rather than see me as it relates to the ways of this universe. Reading in Job this morning kind of upset that all too natural apple cart . . . shifted the paradigm . . . put me, as it were, in my place. And it’s left me wondering at the fringes . . . and desiring the fullness.

He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the waters in His thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it His cloud. He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at His rebuke. By His power He stilled the sea; by His understanding He shattered Rahab. By His wind the heavens were made fair: His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?   (Job 26:7-14 ESV)

Behold the outskirts of His ways . . . the NKJV says that “Indeed these are the mere edges” . . . the NLT, “just the beginning of all He does” . . . the NIV and NASB translates it as “the fringes.” And when I remove myself from the center . . . and realize I am but on the outskirts . . . I wonder at the fringes . . . and I desire the fullness.

I don’t know exactly how Job knows all he knows . . . given that he lived in “ancient times” without all the scientific breakthroughs we know today (or, are they just repeat breakthroughs?) . . . but there’s some pretty sophisticated understanding of creation’s marvelous structure. Job knows that God stretches the northern sky over a vast empty space . . . and that He hangs the earth on nothing . . . that clouds are filled with water yet do not break under the weight of it (Job never lived in Seattle) . . . that there’s a circular horizon over the water, at the place where light meets darkness (doesn’t sound like Job thought the world was flat). Job recognizes that God stirs up the sea . . . breaks up the storm . . . and dresses up the heavens. Wow!

What we see of God . . . what we understand to be true of God . . . what the Spirit has made known to us concerning the Person and work of God . . . they are just the beginning . . . a mere whisper. Or, to coin a less eloquent phrase, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”

Yes, I have been born into this world. Yes, by the grace of God and through the finished work of the cross, I have been born again into His kingdom. Yes, I abide in Christ and Christ lives in me through the Holy Spirit. Yes, I have access into the very holy presence of God through the blood of Christ. But as much as all this is . . . I can’t help but think I ain’t seen nothn’ yet.

What has been revealed is only the tip of the iceberg. To think that what I know of God is to fully know Him, is to not know Him at all. It’s but a taste . . . a teaser of things yet to come. Far from satisfying my hunger it should inflame a desire for more. While His living water quenches my thirst, it should leave such a taste as to want to seek out the Source of such a life-giving flow in all its fullness.

The marvels of Creation . . . the wonders of salvation . . . the on-going work of sanctification . . . all of it should prime the pump of wanting the realities of a deeper relationship with Him who we have but encountered a whisper of. He, whose power is beyond understanding, is not beyond pursuing.

O’, that I would not be satisfied with just the mere edges . . . that the outskirts would not be enough to satisfy my longing. But that I would worship at the extremities and press on after the essence . . . that I would wonder at the fringes and desire the fullness.

Praise God for the mere edges . . . but I ain’t seen nothin’ yet . . . can’t wait to know Him more.

. . . by His grace . . . for His glory!

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