Fuel Still in the Fire!

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Pete

Some slightly re-worked thoughts from 2008 . . . still my desire . . .

As I encounter the last few chapters of Daniel chapters I’m reminded that they are written by someone who is “getting up there” in age. Beyond the visions he saw . . . and the prophetic truth he received . . . I’m kind of in awe of the passion that Daniel still exhibits during his “twilight season” of life. To quote an old southern gospel singer, “Just ’cause thar’s snow on the roof don’t mean thar ain’t still fuel in the fire!”

Based on a little bit of fact finding, it seems the timing of Daniel 9 is about a year before the Persian king Cyrus permits the Jews to return from exile . . . so it’s 69 years after Daniel was taken into captivity. Now Daniel was a young man (Daniel 1:4) when he was brought to Babylon . . . let’s say between 15 and 20 years old . . . so that puts him in his mid to late 80’s when we find him studying the prophecy of Jeremiah in chapter 9.

Ok . . . so he had a pretty consistent devotional life . . . that’s good.

Yeah . . . but it goes a lot deeper then just a life-long habit of reading his Bible every morning. As he understands the implications of Jeremiah’s prophesied “70 years” he is stirred to pray. And as you read his prayer in chapter 9 you just pick up on the depth of his pursuit of God . . . and his passion for God’s people . . . and his persistence to see the glory of God manifest.

No sense that Daniel has coasted into retirement. No indicator that the “old, old, story” has somehow become “old hat.” Nothing that would show that after so many years of being in this foreign land that he has lost his edge for the things of God. Complacency setting in? If anything, the sense is that as he has grown older his energy for God’s will to be done is peaking.

When he prays he sets his face toward God . . . he stops eating as he seeks to be filled from food from heaven alone . . . he dresses in sackcloth and ashes as he humbles himself . . . identifying himself with sins of his people. He extols the greatness of God . . . and he confesses the iniquity of God’s people. He cries out to God, “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O, Lord pay attention and act!” (Daniel 9:19) with earnestness as he casts himself upon the grace of God: “For we do not present our pleas before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercy.” (Daniel 9:18)

And, even as an “old dude”, this faithful man of God moves heaven to action. While he’s praying the archangel Gabriel comes to him, “At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out and I have come.” (Daniel 9:23) In chapter 10 we find Daniel again in the midst of a 3 week fast as he mourns for the his people and seeks his God. And again it moves heaven to send a messenger who needs to do battle with demonic forces in order to reach him. How bad does heaven want to connect with Daniel? Pretty bad. Why? Because of the degree to which this aging, successful politician, has determined to connect with heaven.

And I can’t help but want to be like Daniel. To be marked by a lifetime of passionately pursuing the things of God. To running with just as much desire — though it may not be with just as much strength — at the end of the race as I was at the beginning. To know the reality of His mercies being new every morning . . . morning after morning . . . year after year. To still be seeking Him in His word after decades . . . and still finding Him . . . and still being jazzed by His awesome Person and work. To still have the faith of a child . . . and the experience of a lifetime that attests to His faithfulness. As I get older . . . and the return of Christ gets closer . . . may it fuel the fire of passion for my King.

O’ to be like Daniel . . . and like Paul . . . to be able, by the grace of God, to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2Tim. 4:7)

Not just to have run long, but to have run hard . . . with zeal . . . with excitement . . . with passion . . . with fuel still in the fire . . . for the glory of God . . .

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Present in the Pillar

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Pete

Sometimes I’m surprised by the verses that surprise me. Things that I know to be true somehow blind-side me when I come across them referred to in a certain manner in Scripture. Such was the case this morning as I read in Jude. I know about the Trinity . . . I know that in the beginning was God, the One who said, “Let US make man in OUR image” . . . that Father, Son, and Spirit are inseparable though spoken of as three distinct persons . . . that the Three are One. But as read the fifth verse of Jude’s letter I was taken aback a bit as I was reminded that Jesus was present in the pillar.

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.   (Jude 3-5 ESV)

Jude writes to contend for the faith. Among the flock of God’s people, there were wolves of error who were perverting grace and denying the deity of Christ. And so Jude reminds them, though they knew it, . . . like me . . . that Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and judged those who stood in opposition. And that’s what caught me this morning . . . Jesus saved a people out of Egypt.

Now other translations say “the Lord” delivered His people. Apparently there is ancient manuscript evidence for using “Jesus” . . . but beyond that, in the context of verse 4, where Jesus Christ is identified as Lord, it fits. Regardless, I know that it is true. Where God was present in the Old Testament, He was present in the fullness of His triune nature. When Moses was commissioned before the burning bush on the mount, he stood on holy ground before the glory of God’s triune presence . . . Jesus was there. When God closed the Red Sea upon the enemies of His people, He did so in fullness of His triune power . . . Jesus was there. And when He guided them after they had been released out of bondage via the cloud by day and fire by night, He did so as the triune pillar . . . Jesus being there . . . present in the pillar.

And beyond that, Jesus was there . . .

I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.    (1Corinthians 10:1-4 ESV)

And I realize how prone I am to placing Jesus in the context of time, as in, Jesus came into this earth some 2,000 years ago as a babe in the manger. He did, but it’s not like that was His first encounter or interaction with this world. He made the world . . . He has been active since the beginning of time . . . and He will bring an end to time. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End (Rev. 1:8). I fear that sometimes I so focus on His humanity . . . the depths He went to in order to identify with His creation that He might become our faithful High Priest . . . that I lose sight of His deity . . . and the awe that goes with it.

God, fully God, that’s my Savior! The same, yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). That’s my Lord!

Now to Him who was present in the pillar of those led out of Egypt . . . and is present today in those who are in pursuit of their heavenly home . . . to Him be all glory and praise!

Amen?

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Don’t Want to Come Up Short

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Pete

You get the sense that he should have known better.  He knew of the humbling of the great Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon . . . it had become legendary.  The arrogant king who had deemed himself a god had been humbled under the mighty hand of the Most High God.  He had been reduced to grazing with the beasts of the field that he might come to senses and acknowledge that it is the King of Heaven who rules the kingdoms of men.  And, because of that . . . because it had been known in the palace and through the royal courts for years . . . Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, Belshazzar, should have known better.  Instead, he had been weighed on the scales and had come up short (Daniel 5:27).

It had started out as just a “small” gathering of the king and a thousand of his closest friends.  Soon the wine was flowing freely, the talk was getting pretty big, and the bravado turned reckless.  “Given the greatness of who I am,” thinks the king, “I deserve better vessels than these from which to drink.  Bring me the vessels of gold and silver made for a god . . . bring me the treasures of the Jerusalem temple that I might pickle my brain in a manner fitting one of my stature!  Let us praise the gods of gold and silver!”

At the moment, if Belshazzar had cared to think about it, he could have looked behind himself and seen “the line” . . . and realized that he had stepped way over it.

Disembodied fingers of a human hand appear . . . divine graffiti is written on the wall . . . the kings face goes white . . . the joints of his limbs give way . . . his knees knock (Daniel 5:5-6).  Oh, oh . . . this isn’t good.  He had known better . . . he had been weighed in the balance . . . and he had come up short.

The indictment?

. . . And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, . . . but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. . . . . you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.  (Daniel 5:22, 23b  ESV)

Now, I’m no king.  Don’t have a thousand friends to invite to a party . . . or access to expensive treasures from which to stuff my face and feed my ego.  But I do have an old nature that can overtake me . . . like too much wine.  The intoxicating drink of self can go to my head . . . allowing pride to take root by thinking that I’m something . . . forgetting that all that I am is due to the One who gives me breath.  I can lose sight of the reality that anything that might be considered an accomplishment is by His grace alone . . . start to think that I have earned what is mine rather that been given it in order to be a faithful steward.  I can step over the line, too . . . I can be weighed . . . only to be reminded that I don’t weigh much.

Honestly, I don’t want to come up short.  I don’t want to be found wanting when it comes to acknowledging the favor of the Lord of heaven . . . I don’t want to be a lightweight when it comes to honoring the Most High God.

O’, that by the grace of God, I might humble my heart continually . . . and lift up His Name constantly.

Amen?

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A Lot of Trouble for Just One Guy

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Pete

In the terms of the ROI (Return On Investment) the effort seems disproportionate to the result.  I’m reading in Daniel this morning and am struck by the amount of focus God directs toward Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.  In chapter 2, God disturbs the king’s sleep so that he might eventually come to the conclusion that “God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries” (2:47).  Then some time later, in chapter 3, God allows the king to throw three righteous men into a flaming furnace in order that he might witness the fire-retardant nature of faith in God and conclude “there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way” (3:29).

And then, again some years later, the king has another dream . . . and Daniel has another interpretation . . . and God sets in motion a plan to reduce the mind of the king to that of a beast of the field . . . to relocate the king from his palatial dining table, to grazing on grass like an ox . . . to removing him from his daily salon treatments so that his hair grows as long as eagle feathers and his nails become like birds’ claws . . . all to humble the king so that he would know “that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (4:32-33).

And I’m thinking that’s a lot of effort spent on getting the king’s head screwed on straight and his heart turned around fully . . . that it’s a lot of trouble for just one guy.

But as I pause and reflect on my initial impression, I’m also thinking that’s just how our God works.

What sacrifice was heaven prepared to make in sending the Son to empty Himself . . . to take on the nature of a servant . . . to put on the fleshly form of His creation . . . desiring that no one should perish, but that all would come to repentance? (Php. 2:6-8 ,2Pet. 2:9).  What lengths has God been prepared to go to in order to pursue those who had set themselves as enemies of God, that they might know His love for eternity?  How much grace has been abundantly poured out so that sinners might become saints . . . one at a time?  As I remember my own rescue . . . as I recall His patience over the years with my own reformation . . . I can’t help but think it’s a lot of trouble for just one guy.

But that’s just how our God works.  The lengths to which He is willing to go in order to redeem . . . the lengths to which He will go in order that His glory might be known.

O’, that like the king of Babylon, I might bless the Most High and give praise and honor to Him who lives forever (4:34).  That I might praise and extol the King of heaven, declaring that all His works are right and His ways are just (4:37).  That I might declare to all peoples that His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion endures from generation to generation (4:3).

That I might humble myself that He might be lifted up and that it might not be a lot of trouble for this one guy.

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Revealer of Mysteries

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Pete

Talk about someone getting up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.  The Scriptures says “his sleep left him.”   I imagine him tossing and turning all night . . . the visions which ran through his mind making no sense . . . his spirit being stirred to the point of vexation . . . so that, when he got up, he was a little cranky.  “Bring me my wise men!” he says . . . “Tell me what I dreamed!” he says . . . “Then, tell me what it means!” he says.  “Oh, oh, we’re in trouble,” they say.

But the God who gave Judah into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand (Daniel 1:2) . . . the God who gave favor to Daniel in the sight of his handlers (1:9) . . . the God who gave learning and skill in all wisdom to Daniel and his friends (1:17) . . . the God who gave the king one of his worst nights of sleep ever . . . that God was about to make Himself known as the Revealer of Mysteries.

The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”  (Daniel 2:47 ESV)

I sit back in awe this morning as I’m reminded that the God of heaven has purposed to make Himself known on earth through the revelation of mysteries.  To Nebuchadnezzar, God revealed the He would set up “a kingdom that shall never be destroyed” (2:44).  To me, He has revealed the manner of that kingdom . . . and the identity of its Sovereign.

Not that I’ve had some dream . . . in fact, at one time, if you had taken my spiritual EEG, I was brain dead . . . dead in trespass and sin . . .  no dreams . . . unaware of anything other than what was under the sun . . . oblivious to there even being a mystery concerning a kingdom.

But through the inspired Word of God, I’ve come to know the answer to the mystery of how sinful man can boldly enter into the holy presence of God.  Through the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, I have gained a measure of understanding as to how a man can be born again . . . can be adopted into God’s family . . . can be grafted into God’s kingdom . . . can be transformed and conformed into the very nature of His blessed Son.

God, not because of anything I have done, but by His grace alone, stirred my slumbering soul with a sense of something more.  God, not because of who I am, but by His grace alone, then revealed the nature of the mystery to me.  It is the mystery of Christ . . . God incarnate that He might be a faithful High Priest . . . Lamb of God that He might, once for all, atone for men’s sins . . . Firstborn from the dead that He might lead many to glory . . . Coming King that all eyes might see Him and every knee should bow.

My God is a Revealer of Mysteries . . . all glory be to my God!

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
    to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
    He removes kings and sets up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to those who have understanding;
He reveals deep and hidden things;
    He knows what is in the darkness,
    and the light dwells with Him.  (Daniel 2:20-22 ESV)

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We Want to See Jesus

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Pete

They wanted to see Jesus . . . and they would . . . but not in the manner they had expected.  They were outsiders by birth but had been drawn to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  And so, these Gentiles “went up to worship at the feast” (John 12:20).  As they approached Jerusalem, they saw the crowd . . . and they caught a glimpse of the Man on the donkey’s colt in the midst of the crowd.  And they heard the noise . . . the cries of exaltation . . . “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”  And so, they wanted to see Jesus.

Not exactly sure why they approached Philip . . . some think it was because he had a Greek name, . . . but it was to Philip that these God-fearing, truth-seeking, Gentiles went.  “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (12:21).

If half of what they heard concerning the Carpenter from Nazareth was true, they wanted to meet Him.  If but a portion of the signs and wonders reported to have been done by Him were accurate, surely He was someone they wanted to check out.  Whatever it was that moved the crowd to exalt Him as Israel’s King was worth investigating.  So, given that He and they were in the city at the same time, they wanted to see Jesus.

And while Jesus does not consent to give them the audience they requested, He does promise that they would see Him.

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. . . . Now is My soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.  Father, glorify Your name.” . . . And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death He was going to die.  (John 12:23-24, 27-28, 32-33 ESV)

Not what they expected . . . but soon they would see Jesus.  He would be lifted up before them . . . a grain of wheat about to be offered to the earth.  They would behold the King of Israel . . . not on a throne, but on a cross.  Though the image horrific, they would not be able to turn their eyes from Him.

They would hear His cry of separation, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” They would hear His intercessory plea from the cruel tree of crucifixion, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  They would hear what sounded like a declaration of triumph with His last breath, “It is finished!”  They would see Jesus . . . lifted up on a tree . . . and they would be drawn to Him . . . and they would know – though didn’t know exactly how they knew – but they would know within themselves that “truly, this man was the Son of God!”

Sir, we would see Jesus!  Then cast your eye on the ransom sent for all men . . . behold the Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world . . . fix your eyes upon the Great Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.  Know that the work is finished . . . that He is risen . . . see Jesus . . . and be drawn to Him.

Drawn by sacrificial love . . . drawn by amazing grace . . . drawn for His glory.

Thank You, Lord!

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There Is a River

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Pete

You know, I think my annual trip through Ezekiel is bearing some fruit.  Not that I “get it”  . . . but I do think I’m, at least, becoming more familiar with it.  The imagery isn’t as “out there” as it once was . . . the “storyline” (such as it is) of Ezekiel’s various prophecies is becoming clearer.  However, there’s still a fog that hovers over Ezekiel.  I haven’t really connected all the dots of his prophetic visions . . . and probably won’t unless I determine to take some extended time to dive deep.

But this morning as I continued reading the latter portion of the book, Ezekiel’s vision of a future temple, something grabbed me.  Now some say Ezekiel’s vision should be understood literally (probably my leaning) and speaks of a temple during the Millennial reign of Christ.  It is a rebuilt, re-commissioned, re-inhabited by the glory of God, fully-functioning temple of God.  Others, according to my study Bible, interpret it more symbolically . . . indicating something of God’s presence among the church, the living temple of God . . . or, of God’s presence among His people in the new heavens and new earth.  Regardless of the interpretation, what set my mind in motion this morning was the fact that, from that temple, there is a river.

The first part of Ezekiel 47 says that from the temple, the place of God’s dwelling, there emerges a trickle of water (47:1-2 ESV).  And as Ezekiel is led to follow this issue of water from the temple, about every quarter mile (1,000 cubits) he is led through the water to experience its depth.  At the first checkpoint it is ankle deep . . . next time he is led through the water it is knee deep . . . when he next steps into the water it is up to his waist as he wades through it . . . as he hits the 1.2 mile mark he is unable to enter the river . . . “it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through” (47:5).

And wherever the river goes it is teeming with life (47:9) . . . and on the banks there grows “all kinds of trees for food . . . their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail.”  These trees bear fresh fruit every month because they are watered with the flow from the sanctuary . . . their fruit good for food . . . their leaves able to be utilized for healing.

And as I read this, the words of Jesus came to mind . . .

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive . . . (John 7:37-39a  ESV)

There is a river flowing from the temple of God.  As individuals, our bodies are temples (1Cor. 6:19) . . . as a called-out gathering of God’s people, corporately as the church, we comprise “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22).  And where God’s glory resides, there is a river.

Though it might start as a trickle, its flow increases.  What began as something we felt we could dip our toe into, becomes something that we long to dive into and become enveloped by.  It is the flowing river of living water, the blessed Spirit of God.  He is the source of life . . . from Him all fruit is borne . . . the outpouring of the glory of God through those whom God inhabits.

O’ praise God there is a river.  That I might wade into it more fully . . . that I might drink of it more deeply . . . that I might swim in His grace more completely . . . that through me His glory might be seen more clearly.

Amen?

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Test the Spirits

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Pete

I’m thinking this morning of the marketplace of ideas available to the believer.  Everything from full volume books . . . to concise and targeted blogs . . . to 140 character tweets.  Or, if reading isn’t our thing, then we can wire ourselves to audio feeds and subscribe to any number of podcasts . . . or, if we need the visual link to stay focused, we can “go video” and stream endless teachers onto our screens.  This is brought to mind as I continue reading through John’s letter.  Surely, given the number of voices vying for a place on truth’s stage, believers have never had more cause to heed John’s exhortation to test the spirits.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. (1John 4:1-3a  ESV)

While, as believers, we shouldn’t necessarily have a critical spirit, we should possess a critical eye . . . a fine tuned sense of discernment . . . a well calibrated radar that picks up error.  And at the core of that calibration is the person of Jesus Christ.  The litmus test for truth is where one stands on the person and work of Jesus, the Messiah.

Jesus Christ has come in the flesh . . . speaking of His deity, God manifest in flesh . . . Immanuel, God with us.  Come in perfect holiness . . . no spot, nor blemish.  Come in perfect submission . . . focused solely on the Father’s will.  Come to be the once for all sacrifice . . . come as the Lamb of God sent to atone for the sins of the world through the shedding of His blood.

Come to be the firstborn from among the dead . . . with power to lay down His life and to take it up again . . . resurrected on the third day.  Come to ascend into heaven . . . our victorious Savior . . . our perfect High Priest . . . to ever make intercession for His own.  Come to come again . . . even now preparing a place for His own . . . patiently waiting the fulfillment of His promise to gather His own to Himself.

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matt.16:13)  That’s the test.

And our “error sensors” grow dull if we are not pursuing the Christ who has come in the flesh . . . if we are not continually abiding with the Son who is one with the Father . . . if we are not feeding on His Word . . . if we are not seeking first His kingdom.

In the midst of all the voices, that God’s people would test the spirits.

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

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Take Away the Stone

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Pete

Technically, I don’t think it was necessary.  After all, if Jesus could trump death, He could easily have opened a door.  But He didn’t.  Instead He relied upon others to take away the stone.

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.   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 11:38-41a  ESV)

The stage was set.  Each of the sisters had come to Jesus in their sorrow . . . the crowd had witnessed the degree to which Jesus was moved at their sorrow . . . they had seen Jesus weep . . . they still couldn’t figure out why He hadn’t shown up sooner to do something . . . and now, they watched as He approached the tomb where Lazarus lay.  And then, He says what no one expected to Him to say, “Take away the stone.”

What!?!  Really?  He’s been dead for four days.  His spirit has surely departed by now . . . and his flesh has begun to decay.  You want us to do what?  “I want you to believe,” replies Jesus, “that you might see the glory of God.”

Taking away the stone was an act of faith.

Sure, Jesus could have spoken to that lifeless rock, just as He would soon speak to Lazarus’ lifeless body, and it would have levitated and gone wherever He commanded it.  Or Jesus could have said nothing at all and Lazarus could just have magically appeared behind the crowd . . . sans grave clothes . . . fair skinned and without a blemish.  But instead, Jesus required an act of faith that they might encounter the glory of God . . . take away the stone.

And it’s got me thinking.  Sometimes we need to take away some stones, open some doors, in order to know God revealed.  We need to proceed by faith, even when we don’t quite know what the Master’s about to do . . . or, if He’s about to do anything at all.  We need to do what we can, and trust He will take care of the rest.  It’s not that Jesus needs us . . . but that He wants us to trust Him.

Taking away the stone was an act of faith.  They wouldn’t have moved it had Martha not asked them to .  . and Martha asked them to because she believed.  They wouldn’t have risked defiling themselves if they weren’t willing to submit themselves to Jesus’ authority . . . and they submitted to His command because they believed.  And they wouldn’t have heard Him speak, “Lazarus come out” . . . wouldn’t have seen the man who had died exit the grave . . . if they hadn’t exercised their mustard seed of faith and opened the door.

Technically, I don’t think it was necessary.  Practically, it was the path to experiencing the glory of God.  Sometimes, He just wants us to take away the stone.

Amen?

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What To Say When You Don’t Know What To Say

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Pete

In addition to the anguish of losing her brother, it must have been very confusing for poor Martha.  They had sent for the Master but He had not come . . . at least not in time.  When Jesus did arrive He engaged her in a conversation more suited to her sister.  Mary, after all, was more of the theologian . . . the academic . . . the student who sat at Jesus feet listening to His teachings.  Martha was the practical one . . . most likely to gravitate to serving than sitting (Luke 10:38-42).  But Jesus engaged her in conversation.  And, while it may have been a bit heady for her, especially given her grief, Martha knew what to say when you don’t know what to say . . .

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
(John 11:23-27  ESV)

I think Martha may have been a bit overwhelmed by the conversation.  Her brother was dead . . . she was mourning . . . Jesus had somehow missed it . . . and now He wanted to capture a teachable moment for her?  She knew the theory of the resurrection . . . what she was dealing with was the reality of death’s devastation.  But Jesus wanted to draw her focus to Himself . . . that He was the substance behind the theory . . . that He is the resurrection and life.

Kind of heady stuff perhaps . . . especially if you’re in the fog of grief and mourning.  Perhaps a bit much to take in . . . dying then living . . . living and never dying.  I can imagine her head spinning a bit.  But then she caught the question, “Do you believe this?”  And though I wonder if she wasn’t quite all that sure exactly what THIS meant, she knew what to say when you don’t know what to say.

Yes, Lord . . . . I believe.

Sometimes, that’s the best we can come up with.  We don’t understand the why’s of the situation . . . we’re reeling as we ride an apparently out-of-control roller coaster of emotion . . . the promises from God’s word have to battle to get to the forefront of our thinking.  In those times, when we don’t know what’s going on . . . when we don’t quite know how to respond . . . when we don’t know what to say . . .  in those times, sometimes all we can say is, “Lord I believe.”

I believe You’ll never leave me or forsake me . . . I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . . . I believe that nothing can separate me from Your love . . . I believe that all things work together for good for those called according to Your purpose . . . I believe that, through my trials are painful, that through them You are continuing Your work of conforming me into the image of Your blessed Son.  Yes Lord, I believe.

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

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