Chariots and Horses

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Pete

Sometimes, instead of just one of my readings grabbing my attention, it is the combination of readings that causes me sit back and reflect . . . and wonder . . . and worship. That’s how it was this morning . . . that’s why I’m thinking about chariots and horses.

During the first part of the year, when Psalms are a part of the reading plan, I order the readings such that my last reading is in Psalms . . . saving the songs for last. Psalm 20 is a prayer for the king . . . a prayer that God will be his support in times of trouble . . . that God will honor the king’s faithfulness by giving the king his heart’s desire . . . that God will hear the king’s prayers and answer from “His holy heaven” and, with His mighty right hand, save the king from those who rise up against him. And then David pens what could be, for me, the chorus of the song . . . or an oft repeated bridge that builds into a crescendo of worship. It’s a line that became the summary of all I read this morning . . .

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7 ESV)

It could have been the chorus song by Joseph, second in command over all of Egypt, as he revealed himself to his brother (Gen. 44-45). There they stood, unable to speak as they grappled with the reality that the one they had sold into Egyptian slavery . . . the one they had, for all intents and purposes, killed off and removed from their father’s line of heirs . . . that this one not only stood before them very much alive . . but was also very much in control of Egypt. And Joseph seeks to quell their fears, “Do not be dismayed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here” (45:5). Though you sold me into slavery, I became the head of Potiphar’s house . . . though his wife entrapped me and I was thrown into prison, I became head of the prison . . . though my buddies forgot me when I revealed their dreams, I was eventually summoned before Pharaoh . . . and revealed his dream . . . and was given charge over Egypt. How?

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

It would have also been a fitting praise song for the church to have sung after their prayer meeting that night when they had gathered to cry out to God on Peter’s behalf (Acts 12). Crazy Herod had received such a boost in the polls after running the apostle James through with a sword, that he grabbed Peter and threw him in prison, intending to stage a second episode of his budding reality TV show, “Herod Makes Martyrs.” And so the church met to pray on the eve of Peter’s execution . . . and heaven was moved . . . and an angel came down . . . and Peter was unchained . . .and the prison was unlocked . . . and Rhoda looked through the peep-hole of the door to the prayer meeting and, seeing Peter standing there, cried, “Unreal!” “You’re crazy, girl,” might have been the response from those inside praying for Peter’s release, “Peter’s in prison, we’re praying for His rescue, he can’t be at the door.” But he was . . . and they were amazed . . . and the band starts to play . . . and the bridge starts to build . . .

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

And who was singing it that night when Jesus, with but the sound of His voice . . . and the authority of His name . . . commanded the storm to cease (Matt. 8:23-27)? The winds and the sea were raging . . . the disciples in the boat thought they were perishing . . . the Savior in the boat, self constrained by the human body He had taken, was resting. “Save us LORD” was the cry in the boat . . . “Peace, be still” was the Master’s response (both to the seas and to the seamen). The seas go calm . . . the disciples go awestruck . . . and I wonder if an angelic host in the heaven couldn’t have gone nuts . . . “Yes!” . . .

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

I’m no king . . . ain’t an apostle . . . don’t care much for fishin’. But have I faced opposition? . . . have I found myself in a tough spot with no idea as to how I’m going to get out? . . . have I encountered storms along the ways? Yeah, kinda’. O, that this would be my song . . . that this would be the tune running through my head . . .

By His grace . . . for His glory. Amen?

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Entering Into the Conversation

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Pete

It’s the stuff that comedy routines are made of . . . talking wife, tuned-out husband . . . she’s sitting at the breakfast table conversing, his nose is in the paper (or his ipad) concentrating on the previous days’ sports scores . . . she’s sitting on the couch relating how her day went, he’s comatose in the lazy-boy watching the tube . . . she’s saying, “Honey, I need to talk to you”, he’s hearing, “Blah, blah, blah!” You know the routines I’m talking about . . . they can be kind of funny because they can be so reflective of a reality we’ve at least seen . . . if not reflective of a reality we’ve personally been part of.

But this morning, as I’m reading Psalm 19, it kind of hits home. Not that this song of David is an ode to talking wives and inattentive husbands . . . but that it is a reminder of how often God’s “laying it down” and I’m just not “picking it up” . . .

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4a ESV)

Day in, day out the heavens declare the glory of God. Night by night by night, knowledge of the Creator is dished up on a platter for those with eyes to see and ears to hear through His abiding handiwork. It’s not conveyed with words, but a voice that goes all through the earth. It’s not an audible voice but the words are served up to the end of the world. But how often does the Father want to “talk to me” of His glory, and I’m tuned to another station? Probably more often than I care to admit.

But the heavens and the skies are just the “trailer.” His glory and His handiwork revealed in the sun coming up every morning and the stars displayed every night, are an invitation to put down the paper (or the ipad) . . . to turn off the tube . . . to tune into His voice . . . and to “listen” further through His Word. Beyond the “general revelation” of God’s magnificent character and awesome power through creation, there is the “specific revelation” of His written Word. The Word of God which revives the soul . . . makes the simple wise . . . causes the heart to rejoice . . . and brings light to the eyes. It is a forever Word . . it is a true and righteous Word . . . it is a Word which speaks to those who desire to listen (19:7-9).

The heavens declare His glory and power . . . the Word reveals His grace and purposes . . . the sky proclaims His handiwork . . . the Scriptures shows us God’s heart. O’ that I would be more like the psalmist and less like the deaf guy at the breakfast table . . . that my heart would receive the unspoken words of creation . . . that my soul would thirst and hunger to know His voice through His Word . . . that it would be my delight . . .

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalm 19:10 ESV)

And then, might I enter into the conversation. Having heard His voice, might I respond. Having recognized afresh His glory, might I praise Him. Having been fed anew by His Word, might I worship Him. Having “picked up” something of what He’s “laying down” might I engage with the glorious God of the heavens and offer Him my own words of thanksgiving . . . might I accept the invitation to interact with Him and speak words of adoration within His holy presence. Not that my words are anything, but that He deserves everything . . .

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 ESV)

Let the conversation begin . . .

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A Seat at the Table

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Pete

Many years ago it was pointed out to me that there are three types of people . . . those who make things happen . . . those who recognize when things are happening . . . and those who look around with a confused look on their face and say, “What happened?” In my 9-to-5 world we often talk about the importance of being part of making things happen . . . or, as we sometimes say, of having “a seat at the table.” It’s less a status thing than it is a strategic thing . . . if you want to make a difference in an organization, you need to be where the decisions are being made. It takes a lot to get a seat at the table in the business world . . . and most who get that seat, do so because they deserve it. This morning, though, I was reminded of a different type of table . . . not one with seats, but one that is reclined at . . . it’s a table of decision makers, sort of . . . but those at this table, know they don’t deserve it . . .

“I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven . . .”   – Jesus (Matthew 8:11 ESV)

Context . . . Jesus goes to Capernaum . . . a Roman centurion (aka “bad guy” for most Jews) comes and pleads before Jesus on behalf of one his servants who is paralyzed and suffering terribly (aka “bad guy” with a good heart). Jesus, probably to the shock of those who followed Him, says that He’ll go to the Gentiles house and heal the servant . . . to a Gentile’s house . . . do I hear a good Jew crying “unclean?” But the centurion tells Jesus that he’s not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof (aka “bad guy” with a humble attitude) . . . that, as one who commands a garrison of men himself, he understands how authority works and know that all Jesus really needs to do is to say the word and his servant will be healed (aka “bad guy” with great faith).

Now, I don’t normally think of the God of wonders, wondering . . . or the Creator and Sustainer of all things, marvelling . . . hasn’t He kind of seen it all? Evidently not. For Matthew records that “when Jesus heard this, He marveled” . . . when Jesus heard the centurion’s humble confession and expression of faith, it was something that even the Son of God had to respond to with wonder-filled admiration. And to such a one as this . . . a Gentile Roman soldier (kind of 3 strikes in most Jewish people’s books) . . . Jesus said, You have a seat at the table.

There will be a table set in the kingdom of heaven. You sense that it’s a table of feasting . . . perhaps it refers to the table set for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9). Regardless, it’s a table of distinguished guests . . . of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And, it’s a table of decision makers . . . those, like the centurion, who decided to place their faith and trust in this Jesus of Nazareth. It will be a mixed table . . . a table of Jew and Gentile, of those from all the nations — those from the east and west. Ultimately, it will be a table occupied by “bad guys” with “new hearts.”

No one there deserving of a place at the table based on their own merit . . . no one boasting of their capabilities or the value they bring to the table . . . but all boasting this “faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1Tim. 1:15). Sinners redeemed by grace . . . lost sheep reclaimed by a merciful Shepherd . . . prodigal sons and daughters wooed home by a loving Father . . . those spiritually dead, and with hearts of stone, regenerated and given hearts of flesh, with the knowledge of God and the truth of His Word written on them, through the abiding Spirit of God . . . people of faith who are invited to occupy a seat at the table.

What a day that will be!

By God’s grace alone! . . . For God’s glory alone!

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My Righteousness

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Pete

At first, it comes across as kind of arrogant . . . kind of “holier-than-thou” like . . . kind of delusional, actually. It says that David wrote Psalm 18 as a song to the Lord “on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.” And in the course of David’s declaration of his love for the Lord (v.1) . . . as part of his account of God’s mighty hand displayed on David’s behalf . . . in the midst of this declaration of God’s majesty and might . . . David seems to turn the limelight on himself and do a bit of self-promotion with a double declaration of “my righteousness” . . .

The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He rewarded me. . . . So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.   (Psalm 18:20, 24 ESV)

So I read this and realize that I know some things David may not have had clearly on his radar . . . that there has been some additional revelation since the time of Israel’s shepherd king. I’m reminded that there is “none righteous, no not one” (Rom. 3:10) . . . that, before a holy God, man’s best and most “righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isa. 64:6). So, though David might be considering the integrity of his own track record as the basis for God’s favor . . . there must be something more than simply what David has done, or not done, which compels the God of heaven to delight in him (18:19b).

No doubt David sought to be a righteous man . . . in the matter of not raising his hand against God’s anointed, Saul, his hands were clean . . . that he kept the ways of the LORD and determined not to depart from God even when the going got tough is clear (18:21). David was a lover of the Word . . . a seeker of the Way . . . fearing God and determined to keep himself blameless before Him (18:22). But if David’s righteousness before the Lord was a result of the good stuff he had done . . . what happens when he falls into the bad stuff . . . can anyone say, “Bathsheba?”

No doubt, the LORD delighted in David . . . even knowing that the king of God’s choosing would become an adulterer and a murderer. So what’s the real claim of righteousness that David had? What’s the true foundation for righteousness that any man or woman has? It’s the claim of Abraham . . .

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”   (Romans 4:3 ESV)

That’s how David, the less than perfect man, the king who would crash and burn, could appeal to his righteousness as the basis for God’s favor. Though David may or may not have fully understood it, his righteousness was an imputed righteousness . . . it was the righteousness of Another credited to his account . . . not on the basis of his lack of failure, but on the basis of his abiding faith. Though King David could not have imagined it, this imputed righteousness was the righteousness of another King . . . the Heir of David’s throne . . . He who came first as a spotless and sacrificial Lamb . . . come to take away the sin of the world . . . come to impart His righteousness and nature to those who would receive Him by faith.

That was David’s righteousness. Praise God, that’s my righteousness!

By the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

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Place Your Bets

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Pete

I’m not a gambler . . . not pro-gambling . . . probably shouldn’t use a gambling as an illustration . . . but as I come to the end of Psalm 17 this morning I can’t help but conclude that at some point you need to place your bets. At some point you need to choose between the red square or the black square . . . you either take more cards or you hold with the hand you have . . . you pick a number and then let it ride. The most important matters of life are not a gamble . . . not up to luck . . . but they are a matter of choice . . . a matter of intentional determination . . . of picking a way and committing to it. And it’s not a jackpot that’s at stake . . . it’s eternity.

Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword, from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life . . . As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness.   (Psalm 17:13-15 ESV)

Psalm 17 is “A Prayer of David” . . . it is a cry and a plea of someone whose taking it in the teeth — probably unfairly and undeservedly. It is a lament from a seeker of the kingdom of heaven about the attacks he is enduring from the enemies of the world around him. David appeals to the God who tries the heart and tests the way (17:3) . . . calls out to heaven knowing that God will “incline His ear” and hear David’s words (17:6). And in this petition to a Savior there is the understanding, that when all is said and done, men and women ultimately place their bets on what they believe to be the prize . . . “this life” . . . or the life that awaits “when I awake.”

In verse 14, David is led by the Spirit of God to describe his enemies as “men of the world whose portion is in this life.” They are those who look to this life for their reward . . . those who count success in terms of the bank account or the number of toys the bank account can finance . . . “making it” is measured in the span of a mortal’s lifetime. David says that they take the abundance God’s provide and they live for what they can produce with it . . . but eventually, they “leave their abundance” to others. Their success, ultimately, is dictated by the amount of inheritance they leave behind. That’s where they place their bets for a fulfilling life.

However, if David is a good role model (he is), then the people of God are focused less on the inheritance they leave behind and are consumed more by the inheritance that awaits them. They are unlike those who Peterson characterizes as “flat-earth people who can’t think beyond today” (17:14 MSG) . . . instead, they are those who have set their minds on things of the future and things beyond the earth . . . those who “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1-2) . . . those who have placed their bets on laying up treasures in heaven . . . anticipating the glory that awaits them.

And it’s not the glory of their legacy . . . not the glory of their pious acts . . . but the glory of beholding the face of the Redeemer. It is the glory of standing, or falling to our faces as the case may be, before the One who has robed us in His righteousness. It is the joyous anticipation of taking whatever rewards He has determined for us by His grace, and casting them before the feet of Him who alone is worthy of glory and honor . . . our satisfaction not found in heavenly rewards but solely in being found in His heavenly presence . . .

Beholding His face . . . clothed in His righteousness . . . satisfied with nothing more than His likeness.

That’s where I’m placing my bets. Not gambling on the future. Instead, seeking first the kingdom of God . . . rather than striving for a “portion in this life.”

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

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A Rush of Contentment

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Pete

I’m hovering over Psalm 16 this morning . . . and the words of this song come across as penned by someone experiencing a rush of contentment. Whatever might be going on in the songwriter’s life . . . whatever it is that causes him to lead off with, “Preserve me, O God” . . . it seems to fade, or at least be put into context, as the psalmist also declares, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You”.

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot” . . . “I bless the Lord, Who gives me counsel” . . . “I have set the Lord always before me.” Therefore . . . “the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance” . . . “because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” . . . “therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”

Content . . . glad . . . the songwriter’s inner being secure . . . his soul welling up with joy and praise.

Though there seems to be something unpleasant going on in the psalmist’s life based on how he opens his song . . . after “the intro” the melody is uplifting . . . the lyrics are life . . . the tone is hopeful . . . and I think it’s because the songwriter places his “here and now” within the bigger picture of the promised “there and then” . . .

“For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let Your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”    (Psalm 16:10-11 ESV)

Despite the circumstances upon him, the psalmist knows that God has made known to him the path of life . . . regardless of the struggles of today, there is a fullness of joy waiting him on that tomorrow when he is in God’s presence . . . while not denying the trials of the moment, he encourages himself with a reminder of the eternal pleasures which are for those who will abide at God’s right hand forever. He may be tried . . . but not abandoned. And in that knowledge . . . with that abiding inner assurance . . . there is contentment.

I don’t know that life is ever conflict free. Even if the battle dies down outwardly, it seems there always something to struggle with inwardly. For every mountain top experience, it seems I can so easily find myself slipping into the valley on either side of it. I was also reading in Matthew 6 this morning and was reminded there that “sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (6:34b).

But there’s a lesson I can learn from the songwriter. Take time to remember the God of my future and be reminded that He is the God who directs my present. Know afresh that I have an unimaginable inheritance waiting for me . . . an inheritance found in Christ . . . an inheritance to be enjoyed as a co-heir with Christ . . . an inheritance guaranteed by the Spirit within me . . . and, knowing that, be assured that the Holder of my inheritance is sufficient to meet the need for today.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”   – Jesus (Matthew 6:31-33 ESV)

A precious promise . . . a rush of contentment . . . sufficient for the day . . . all of the glory of God. Amen?

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The God of Israel

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Pete

It’s been an interesting trip for Jacob (Genesis 28-33). He flees the wrath of his brother and he returns to his brother’s blessing. He leaves alone and returns with enough family and servants to create two camps of people. He may have left with a camel or two but eventually returns with herds of livestock. He leaves to find a wife . . . he comes back with two . . . along with a couple of maid servant wives . . . and with twelve children. But what grabs me this morning is the fact that Jacob leaves with a mindset of testing “the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac” and returns worshipping “the God of Israel.”

When Jacob, the self sufficient con man, leaves his family and sets out to Haran, God speaks to him in a dream one night. Jacob sees the LORD enthroned in heaven and hears the voice of Him who had appeared to his grandfather, Abraham, and to His father Isaac. And Jacob is given the same promise that was given to them . . . he is promised the land on which he lies . . . offspring like the dust of the earth . . . and that, in his offspring, all the families of the earth will be blessed (28:13-15). While Jacob is filled with awe . . . and knows that he has had an encounter of the divine kind . . . he takes a “wait and see attitude” . . .

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God . . . “   (Genesis 28:20-21 ESV)

Kind of a cocky attitude if you ask me. Has seen heaven opened up . . . has been visited by angels descending and ascending on the ladder . . . has seen a revelation of the thrice holy God . . . has received a promise to beat all promises . . . and his response? . . . “Uh, pretty impressive. If He comes through, then He will be my God.” Hmmm . . .

And as you read through the next few chapters it’s evident that there is this “distance” between Jacob and the LORD. Unless I missed something (which is quite possible), every time Jacob refers to God it is as “the God of Abraham” or “the God of Isaac” or “the Fear of Isaac” . . . never as “my God.” Jacob has seen God . . . he acknowledges the presence of God . . . but he’s not ready to make God “my God.” He relies on his cunning to deal with tricky Uncle Laban . . . he cedes to the wisdom of jealous wives as to how to build his family . . . but he obeys God when God tells him to head home with his family, servants, and flocks . . and yet you get the sense, that God, in a way, remains on trial.

But heading into the unknown . . . having to return to your past . . . facing an uncertain future . . . has a way of getting people ready to do business with God . . . or at least a way of preparing their hearts when God determines to do business with them. Jacob doesn’t know how Esau is going to react to his return . . . and so, doing what Jacob does best, he devises plans . . . sends ahead appeasing offerings . . . and works contingencies as he prepares to meet up with the brother whose birthright and blessing he stole.

And God, in His longsuffering, again engages with Jacob (32:22-32). But this time it’s not with a vision, it’s with a cage match . . . a One-on-one wrestling match. And Jacob, the self-sufficient con man, emerges with a new name . . . and a new limp . . . and a new dependence on God. And he has the reunion with his brother . . . and it all works out pretty well . . . and Jacob settles in the land of his fathers . . . and he buys a piece of land . . . and he pitches his tent . . . and . . .

There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.   (Genesis 33:20 ESV)

El-Elohe-Israel . . . God, the God of Israel.

Jacob worships not just the God of Abraham . . . he sacrifices no longer to just the God of his father, Isaac . . . but God is now “my God.” He who is enthroned in heaven is received as the God of limping Israel . . . is recognized as the God of infinite patience . . . is acknowledged as the God of abundant grace . . . is worshiped as the God who is faithful to His promise.

Praise God . . . that He desires to be our God . . . that He will allow us to wrestle with Him in order that we might own Him . . . in order that we might worship Him.

By His grace . . . For His glory . . .

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Ill Conceived

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Pete

Ok . . . honestly? . . . I think if I had been the editor-in-chief of the Old Testament Canon of Scripture there’s just some parts I would have left out . . . the story of the births of Jacob’s children being one of them (Genesis 29:31-30:23). Talk about being ill conceived.

You know, you read later about the twelve tribes of Israel and it sounds kind of impressive. The tribes of Reuben . . . and of Simeon . . . of Levi and Judah . . . the tribes of Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher . . . the tribes of Issachar and of Zebulun . . . Joseph would become two tribes . . . and Benjamin would round out the mighty family name. Tribes . . . clans of people . . . forming a mighty nation. You might think, “What manner of leaders must have been their founders? What noble heritage must be theirs!” Wrong! . . . Hit the buzzer! . . . Flash the X! What a gong show!

After bartering for his brother’s birthright and then scamming his brother out of his blessing, Jacob has to flee to avoid his brother’s wrath. And then Jacob the deceiver meets his match in Uncle Laban, Mr. Speak-out-of-both-sides-of-my-mouth. Jacob works seven years in order to marry Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel, but Laban slips the elder Leah into the wedding bed after Jacob obviously partied too hard at the reception. So Jacob has a wife he doesn’t really want, along with her maidservant, but strikes a deal with tricky Laban for Rachel, as well. Another wedding . . . another wife . . . another maidservant. Has the making of a modern day “reality” TV show. Weird!

But that’s nothing compared to the dynamics of Jacob’s “wedded bliss.” Leah conceives and has a son, Rachel is unable to have children. Leah sees this as the means to moving from “second fiddle” to “top spot” with her husband and even more so as she bears sons number two, three, and four. Now Rachel gets choked . . . she envies Leah and takes it out on Jacob. In order to “compete” with her sister Rachel tells Jacob to lie with her maidservant and use her as a surrogate, “that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her” (Gen. 30:3). So Jacob, who’s been sharing his bed with two women, adds a third to the mix. The result, two more boys.

Ok, so now Leah’s feeling threatened . . . four kids to none was a comfortable lead . . . but four kids to two? . . . with an obviously fertile woman in the game? . . . this is kind of threatening. So Leah sub’s in her maidservant . . . Jacob now lies with a fourth woman . . . enter the world, sons seven and eight . . . but hey, who’s counting? They are!

Leah goes on to bear Jacob another son and then a daughter. “Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. She conceived and bore a son . . . and she call his name Joseph” (30:22-23). Eventually Benjamin would follow, born of Rachel, and he would round out this “happy family.”

See what I mean when I say I might have just left this part out? I might have just replaced it with “And Jacob had 12 sons and a daughter.”

But that’s not how God works . . . He doesn’t hide the fact that His purposes are accomplished by less then perfect people and, in fact, sometimes out of extremely dysfunctional situations. But that’s the point . . . they are HIS PURPOSES . . . HE IS fulfilling HIS PROMISE . . . and, the fact that He chooses to use such ill conceived people is testimony to the abundance of HIS GRACE.

And, while I ain’t no Jacob . . . only one wife . . . and five daughters (better than any twelve sons, in my opinion) . . . that God has chosen to use this “gong show” in this chair in some manner, is solely a reflection of that same grace abundantly poured out despite my past and my performance. And while I haven’t been called to be the patriarch of a great nation, I am a sinner saved by grace, God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which He has prepared beforehand, that I should walk in them (Eph. 2:9-10).

And so, let the record stand . . . not squeaky clean, but called . . . a little dysfunctional perhaps , but directed by the Spirit of God . . . not by my goodness, but by His grace . . . not for my legacy, but for His glory alone.

Amen?

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When the Going Gets Tough

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Pete

It’s often said that the best defense is an offense. I’m guessing that isn’t exactly what Stephen was thinking as he stood before the high priest and his council . . . that Stephen wasn’t concerned with tactics. Nevertheless, full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen came out swinging. False witnesses had laid the charges against Stephen . . . this man speaks against the temple . . . he opposes the law . . . he says the Man of Nazareth will destroy this place . . . and he claims that this Jesus will change the customs Moses delivered to us (Acts 6:13-14). “Are these things so?” Stephen is asked.

And Stephen turns the tables . . . he proceeds to remind them of a few things about Moses and about the temple . . . that their forefathers rejected Moses, not understanding that God was giving them salvation by his hand (7:25) . . . and that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, but that heaven is His throne (7:48-49). And then Stephen, rather than backing off, brings his own accusations against his accusers. As to opposing the law, he concludes, you boast that you are circumcised in the flesh but you are uncircumcised in heart and ears and you always resist the Holy Spirit . . . you received the law as delivered by angels but you did not keep it (7:51-53).

What boldness! This man of full faith . . . full of wisdom . . . full of grace . . . full of power . . . full of the Spirit (6:3, 5, 8) . . . this man, when the going gets tough, stands fast and stands tall. What a demonstration of Spirit infused courage. Truly there’s something about the fire that reveals the reality of what powers a man. But as impressive as all this might be . . . as revealing as it is of the Spirit’s enabling in times of trial . . . for me, what’s even more impressive, are the words from Stephen’s lips as he was on the ground being pelted to death with stones.

And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.   (Acts 7:59-60 ESV)

How much does Stephen sound like His Savior? A lot!

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him . . . And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” . . . Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this He breathed His last.    (Luke 23:33-34, 36 ESV)

And what’s stirring my soul is that, in such a situation as Stephen’s, there’s no more faking it . . . Christianese isn’t going to cut it . . . facades are gone. When the going gets tough the inner man is revealed . . . the source of power is apparent . . . what’s at the core of a person is evident.

Stephen was so Spirit-filled . . . so transformed by the renewing of his mind . . . so conformed to the image of God’s Son . . . that in his last moments, with his last breaths, he sounded so like His Savior.

A couple of weeks ago, a preacher at our church said that molten gold that has been purified is reflective . . . that you can tell how refined the gold is by the degree to which you can look into it and see your face. What did Jesus see as He looked back at Stephen as Stephen gazed into heaven and saw “the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (7:55-56)? As Stephen gazed into heaven and Jesus stood gazing back, did the Lamb see His own face in Stephen’s? And in His grace, did the Savior direct the Spirit to place His own words upon His faithful servant’s tongue?

When the going gets tough . . . the reality of the walk is revealed . . . the power of the Spirit is manifest . . . the likeness of Christ shines forth . . . and the grace of God is sufficient.

For His glory alone . . .

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Stephen

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Pete

Technically, he was “hired” to distribute bread . . . ultimately, he displayed great faith and dispatched great wisdom. He responded to the call to “serve tables” . . . and was then used to do “great wonders and signs.” His was a call to what some might have considered mundane duty . . . but when a man full of the Spirit is prepared to respond to the calling of the Spirit then don’t be surprised if he displays the power of the Spirit.

Acts 6 begins with a bit of a disturbance within the newly founded, fast growing, church of Christ. A complaint arises that some of the widows in need are being neglected. The apostles recognize that addressing such logistical issues will be a distraction from doing what they should be doing . . . they needed to stay focused on devoting themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (6:4). And so they determined to pick seven men who would give attention to “the daily distribution” (6:1).

Ok . . . so the first thing that kind of grabs me are the “minimum qualifications” on the “job posting.” The apostles were going to pick out from among the church “seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (6:3). At first, it seems like a bit of overkill to me . . . Spirit-filled? . . . marked by great wisdom? . . . just to hand out daily rations to those in need. But thinking on it a bit more, it makes sense that when it comes to ministering in the body of Christ to the body of Christ that it should be directed by the mind of Christ. That those called to be in service to others in the family of God should first be in sync with the Spirit of God.

So Stephen, along with six others are chosen and commissioned. The “ACTS2:32 Food Bank” is open for business . . . disputes are settled . . . distribution is equitably conducted . . . the apostles are focused on what the apostles should be focused on . . . “and the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem . . . ” (6:7).

But Spirit-filled men who are “faithful with little” often find themselves directed to be “faithful with much.” And Stephen was one of those guys.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.    (Acts 6:8-10 ESV)

I don’t know that Stephen was looking for the limelight. If God’s purpose had been to use this man, “full the Spirit and of wisdom,” to minister to needy widows for the rest of his life . . . if that had been the only role in the Body God had determined He should fill . . . if the body part he was formed for was to be a hand . . . then I think he would have been content to serve in such a manner with all his might, as for the Lord (Col. 3:23). On the other hand, men and women “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” may find that God asks them to fill more than one place in the Body . . . or that, for different seasons, God raises them up to be used in different ways.

And so Stephen goes from handing out bread to doing great signs and wonders. He goes from mediating disputes between dear sisters-in-Christ to debating the things of eternity with learned men of the synagogue of the Freedmen. But what doesn’t change is the driving source of the power to serve . . . the Spirit of God.

And so Stephen, full of grace and power . . . this Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit . . . becomes an example for those who would serve in the Body of Christ.

Service in the Body of Christ, regardless of the task, needs to powered by the Spirit of Christ. And, the initial call might not be the final call . . . but ours is to respond as the Spirit leads and as the Spirit enables.

. . . by the grace of God . . . for the glory of God.

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