Do Your Best!

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Pete

“Do your best, Pete!” When I was a kid, that’s what my mom would always say as I headed off to school in the morning. My parents were pretty low key about the “goals” they had for me . . . at the end of the day they simply wanted me to work up to whatever potential I had. There’s something very sad about unrealized potential. Something that seems wasteful when someone low-balls their goals . . . something that can even be frustrating about those who settle for “good enough” rather than for what they are capable of.

You sense that Paul was frustrated on a number of levels as you read his letter to the churches in Galatia. He was upset that false teachers had come in behind his planting of the gospel and had distorted it . . . had sown grace-strangling weeds among the seed of the good news . . . had shackled those who should be embracing freedom in Christ with the handcuffs of the law. You pick up also that Paul was a bit bent out of shape with these “foolish Galatians” who had allowed themselves to be “bewitched” by these fast-talking religion-peddlers such that they lost sight of Christ (3:1) . . . Paul shows a bit of exasperation at the foolish, muddled up thinking that was being embraced, “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (3:3)

But even more Paul seems to be in excruciating agony over the lost potential . . .

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? . . . my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.    (Galatians 4:8-9, 19-20 ESV)

Christianity for Paul was not about a creed . . . not about a set a practices . . . but about new life in Christ. Being rescued from judgment by the redemptive work of Christ on the cross is worthy of eternal gratefulness . . . having a place prepared in heaven by the Son is cause for unending praise . . . but even more than these things, there is the potential for Christ to be formed in the believer. That’s what Paul went for!

Think about it . . . saved by the grace of God in order to be a mold for the Son of God . . . for the purpose of bearing His nature and image. That’s the potential for a believer. That potential existing not in ourselves, but in our new selves . . . new creations in Christ . . . powered by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit placed within us . . . having been given all the tools we need to participate in the divine nature (2Peter 1:3-4) . . . to have Christ formed in us.

That was Paul’s “home run” . . . so much so, that he would contend for it within the lives of those he had led to Christ even if it meant going through “the anguish of childbirth” again. He wanted them to be all they could be in Christ . . . actually He wanted Christ to be all that He could be in them . . . that they would be so morphed (i.e. formed), that Christ’s character and heart and mind would be evident in them and through them. And not just for their blessing, but more importantly for His glory.

How sad for potential to unrealized. How doubly sad when it’s the potential infused in a redeemed man or woman to bear the image of Christ.

I’m in awe afresh as I consider the potential . . . again, not because of who I am, but because of who He is . . . not because of what I can do, but because of what He has promised to do in me . . . not that I should boast, but that He would be brought delight and pleasure in what He has made of this lump of clay.

He has started a work in me that He desires to complete . . . to form Christ in me. Mine is to submit to that work . . . mine is to desire the finished product . . .

Do your best, Lord! . . . for Your glory . . . amen.

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Who Looks Down

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Pete

As much as I can get jazzed by finding “hidden gems” in unexpected places, as I did this morning in 2Samuel 14:14 . . . or appreciate and am encouraged by solid theological arguments, such as Paul makes concerning the law, the promise, and faith in the latter portion of Galatians 3 . . . sometimes it’s the simple reminders of a great God that touch resonate deep within my soul. Basic truths which hit home in a fresh way . . . fundamental attributes of God which kick the mind and heart into meditate mode as I try to grasp the implications of the nature of God for what’s going on around me. This morning, I’m just noodling on what it means that my God is a God who looks down.

The LORD is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?    (Psalm 113:4-6 ESV)

On Monday, I received an e-mail concerning a co-worker whose daughter was involved in a very serious car accident . . . the list of injuries were extensive. He was away from home on business when the accident occurred . . . I couldn’t imagine getting a worse phone call from home . . . or a more difficult plane ride back across the country. On Tuesday, we had dinner with my youngest daughter who had, the day before, returned from Haiti. We spent the entire time together listening as she talked about her up-close encounters with the heart-wrenching realities of a people, and the orphaned children, still reeling from an evil dictatorship and from a devastating earthquake. And then yesterday, an item came through on our churches prayer chain . . . an 18 year old high school senior . . . one of a graduating class of 84 students at a local Christian school . . . who was also involved in a serious car accident — hit by a drunk driver . . . in critical condition . . . for whom the next 24 hours would be critical as she her condition was “touch and go”. Heavy sigh!

And this morning, thanks to a Bible reading plan . . . a Bible . . . and the Spirit of God who promises to lead us into truth . . . I’m reminded that my God is the God who looks down.

The One who is enthroned above all nations . . . He whose glory surpasses the wonder of heavens . . . is the One who humbles Himself and looks down on the happenings of earth. He is not distant nor disengaged . . . He is not unacquainted with the tragedies and trials of our world. Though sometimes He, in His sovereign grace, “raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap” (113:7) . . . in other circumstances, His purposes are apparently best served by withholding His all powerful hand. I don’t know the “whys and wherefores” . . . but what I do know is that He is the One who looks down.

“How wonderful are those words of Isaiah, ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ Heathen philosophers could not believe that the great God was observant of the small events of human history; they pictured him as abiding in serene indifference to all the wants and woes of his creatures. ‘Our Rock is not as their rock’; we have a God who is high above all gods, and yet who is our Father, knowing what we have need of before we ask him; our Shepherd, who supplies our needs; our Guardian, who counts the hairs of our heads; our tender and considerate Friend, who sympathizes in all our griefs. Truly the name of our condescending God should be praised wherever it is known.” — Spurgeon

All glory to Him who looks down . . .

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A Decision

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Pete

They were getting more and more frustrated. The chief priests and council had hit the wall with Jesus. Enough was enough! They had found Him in the garden . . . they had seized Him with their guard . . . they had brought Him to the high priest . . . and many were willing to stand up and bring some accusation against Him that would seal His fate. But they couldn’t find two liars who could agree on what the accusation was! Aarrggh!!!

False witness after false witness stood accusing Jesus . . . but they couldn’t get their stories together. And, of course, the law said that a man could not be condemned by a single accusation but that it was to be by the aligned testimonies of two or three witnesses. But they couldn’t find two lying men who could tell the same lie!!!

Finally, the high priest seizes the stage and takes matters into His own hand. He directly confronts Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” (Mark 14:53 NLT) But Jesus kept silent . . . no reply . . . nothing worth refuting . . . no point in declaring innocence for trumped up charges. And then the moment came . . . the high priest comes out with a straight question . . . and Jesus replies with a straight answer . . .

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”    (Mark 14:61-62 ESV)

There it was . . . the defining moment . . . not an accusation . . . but a declaration. Not a criminal offence . . . but a prophetic reference.

Jesus said, “I am! . . . I am the Son of Man! . . . I will be seen in majesty and authority at the right hand of God . . . I will come one day with the clouds of heaven.” “Yes,” Jesus declared, “I am the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One!”

And all that was left was for men to make a decision . . . to decide what they would do with His declaration. Would they believe it or would they reject it?

And decide they did! The high priest dramatically tears his clothes and says, “There! Got ya’! That’s enough to condemn You! Blasphemy! You being a man claim to be God! The verdict? Guilty! The judgment? Death!” And taking their cue from the high priest some then began to spit on Him . . . and they blind-folded Him . . . and they beat Him . . . and they mocked Him.

Bad, bad, bad, decisions on their part. How I cringe at thought of these fools abusing Jesus, the Son of God. They were in His presence . . . they heard His claims . . . they were aware of the evidence which backed up His claims . . . but they decided to reject . . . and spit . . . and beat . . . and mock. Ouch!!!

And Jesus took it! Amazing!

He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not his mouth.    (Isaiah 53:7 ESV)

The Lamb of God was determined to die for the sin of the world . . . for my sin . . . and so He took it.

The Son of Man . . . the Christ . . . had revealed Himself . . . had determined to obey the Father even to the death on a cross . . . all that was left . . . all that is left, today . . . is for men and women to make a decision . . . to decide what they will do with Jesus. And, by His grace and patient working in my life, I made a decision years ago . . . a decision to believe that Jesus is who He said He is . . . to believe the revelation of Scripture that He has atoned for my sin through His death and resurrection . . . and to believe that one day He’ll return for me.

And so, I believe in the Son . . and I bow the knee . . . and I bask in His grace . . . and, one day, I will behold His glory . . .

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The Heart & The Cross

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Pete

What a jerk!! No, what a two-faced liar!! No, what a hypocrite!! No, what a murderer!! Ok . . . so I’m reacting to 2Samuel 11 and the well known account of David’s sin with Bathsheba. It’s starts with a look . . . leads to lust . . . ends up in bed . . . results in pregnancy . . . involves a cover up plan which doesn’t work because Uriah is a righteous man . . . and then is “resolved” through mass murder ( check out 11:17, “And Uriah was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers.” – NLT). David blew it! . . . and he blew it in the worst way!

But then I read verse 27, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord”, and I think to myself, “Self, that seems somewhat understated.”

In fact, it seems kind of disproportionate to the LORD’s reaction to another king’s transgression. Remember King Saul? He didn’t commit adultery . . . he didn’t murder anyone to cover up his sin. Instead, he disobeyed God . . . he rebelled against God’s authority. And what was God’s response? . . . “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments” (1Sam 15:11). God thus determines to take the kingdom away from Saul.

And I’m thinking, “So what’s the difference?” It’s can’t just be the sin . . . it has to be something more. It’s the heart . . .

Saul’s heart was not wholly devoted to God . . . in fact as would be proved again and again, Saul’s heart was really devoted to Saul. His sin was the sin of self-determination leading to rebellion. Instead of doing what God had asked, Saul repeatedly said, in effect, “No! I’ll do it my way.” Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft . . . stubbornness is like idolatry as it sets up our will against Gods. (1Sam 11:23) Saul rejected God . . . God rejected Saul.

So, back to David . . . what’s going down here? There is no minimizing the extent and horror and degraded behavior associated with David’s actions. As I linger over this sordid tale it should turn my stomach . . . it did David’s (check out Psalms 32 and 51). But when David was confronted with his sin, when he was found out, there were no excuses on his part . . . only confession, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2Sam. 11:13a). The man with a heart after God, was contrite and broken.

Now, it’s not like there would be no judgment or consequences for his actions . . . the baby would die and David’s family would implode. But David was not rejected of God. Why? Because of his heart. It’s the bottom line desire of weak flesh that God looks at. David desired to live for God . . . he didn’t live perfectly . . . but he lived for God. And when he crashed and burned . . . in a real big way!! . . . God knew David’s heart.

But there’s another factor that allows God to look beyond David’s transgression in order to consider his heart . . .

And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die”   (2Samuel 12:13b ESV)

There’s the cross . . . “the LORD has put away your sin” . . . literally, “the LORD has caused your sin to be passed over.” There’s the Lamb . . . there’s the blood . . . there’s the finished work of Christ . . . sufficient to atone for all sin . . . even David’s . . . sin committed centuries before Christ came to earth . . . even mine, sin committed centuries after.

David’s heart of repentance was necessary . . . but apart from the blood of atonement, repentance has no foundation on which to be responded to . . . “for the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). But mix repentance with the shed blood of the risen Christ and you have redemption (Rom. 3:24).

David crashed and burned hard . . . and there would be dire consequences for him and for his family . . . but David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) . . . and the blood of Jesus Christ was sufficient to cleanse him from all sin (1John 1:9).

The heart and the cross . . . and the grace of God. To Him be all glory.

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Me Too!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Pete

Different . . . yet the same. I’m thinking that’s the nature of the salvation stories we have as Christians. Each story unique, with specific details of how someone came to faith in Jesus Christ . . . yet each story familiar, with similar accounts of what happened. That’s what hit me this morning as I started in on Galatians. I’m no Paul . . . not Jewish . . . not raised to be a religious leader . . . not as zealous . . . not as bright . . . didn’t meet Jesus face to face (rather, face to ground) . . . but as I read his summary of his story, I identify . . . and, praising God, say, “Me too!”

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone . . .   
(Galatians 1:13-16 ESV)

I wasn’t a violent man . . . wasn’t on a mission to wipe out Christianity, or any other ideology for that matter. But, in opposition to God? Yup. Making light of those who believed? Uh, huh. Arrogantly swimming in my own darkness and foolishness? That would have been me. In fact, Paul characterizes it well in Romans . . . spiritually infirm and feeble . . . devoted to sin . . . hostile toward God, an enemy of His kingdom. Details different than Paul’s . . . determination the same. Not for . . . but against. And in that state, shared by Paul and I, “Christ died for the ungodly” . . . “Christ died for us” . . . reconciliation to God was made possible “by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:6, 8, 10).

But more than the “before picture”, what captured me this morning was the dynamic Paul describes which produced the “after picture.”

Paul says, “He set me apart before I was born . . . He called me by His grace . . . He was pleased to reveal His Son to me.” Me too! And my awe-o-meter goes off the scale!

Why, O God, would you have set Your eye upon this dot of Your creation even before I entered this world? I don’t know . . . but it’s part of my story. The part that acknowledges that nothing of myself merits the favor of God . . . nothing I have done or could ever do could purchase a seat at the King’s table . . . but that it is but a Sovereign determination of the God who so loved the world (John 3:16).

Called by His grace. For years without ears to hear and eyes to see, yet patiently pursued by the One who desired me for Himself. A lost sheep searched for by the Good Shepherd. A prodigal son loved unconditionally by a waiting Father. A blind man given sight by the gracious touch of the Master’s hands. Persistently pursued by grace . . . until grace broke through . . . and the face once turned against God was turned toward God.

And in His gracious turning of my face toward Him . . . the Son revealed . . . “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6). A vague religion to be disputed becoming a vital relationship to be pursued . . . because God, in His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to Paul . . . and to me too!

Different . . . yet the same.

“This is my story . . . this is my song . . . praising my Savior . . . all the day long!” Amen?

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A Circle of Life

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Pete

Repetition is a pretty effective way of getting someone’s attention. And you’ve got to think that when God repeats Himself that it’s probably important to listen. Psalm 107 is pretty repetitive . . . i.e. “Listen Pete!!!” It starts with “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!” It ends with “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” And in between, four times, the psalmist exhorts, “Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love.” So, I’m thinking that giving thanks is a good thing to do . . . that, as the psalmist makes clear, that it’s an important part of a “circle of life.”

The “circle” presented here starts with trouble. The song-writer presents four disaster scenarios that can overcome God’s people. These scenarios range from being lost in the wilderness, hungry and thirsty (vv. 4-5) . . . to being bound and imprisoned because of rebellion against God (vv. 10-12) . . . to being destitute and near death due to the foolish pursuit of a life of sin (vv. 17-18) . . . to, through no fault of their own, being caught in life’s storms and tempests and at wit’s end on how to survive (vv.23-27). And four times the Psalmist says, “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble” and four times it records that God delivered or saved them (vv.6, 13, 19, 28). And four times the Psalmist concludes, “Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men!” (vv.8, 15, 21, 31). Ok . . . so even I can kind of start to see a pattern here.

First, cry out to the LORD when you’ve “hit the wall”. Regardless of whether its from losing your way, or from pursuing the way of sin, or from just encountering the “normal” upset conditions of life, I am to cry out to the Lord in my trouble. Why? Because my God is faithful . . . my God is merciful . . . my God is gracious . . . my God is all-powerful. Why wouldn’t I cry out to my God in my time of trouble . . . whether that trouble was “self-inflicted” or through no fault of my own? What I really believe about God will drive whether or not I turn to Him in times of distress.

Second, give thanks to the LORD for His works in my life. Praise Him!! Acknowledge His goodness . . . acknowledge His grace.

And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His deeds in songs of joy! . . . Let them extol Him in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.   (Psalm 107:22, 32 ESV)

God forgive me for thanklessness . . . for taking the mighty works of God on my behalf for granted . . . for somehow thinking that I’m the one who is powering my way through life . . . for not recognizing daily His grace and strength. Oh, that this man would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness!

Paul got it . . . I was reading His testimony in 2Corinthians 12 this morning about his “thorn in the flesh”, “a messenger of Satan to harass me”, one of his many personal “disaster scenarios.” His response?

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

What an amazing dynamic . . . God redeems people . . . people get in trouble . . . people cry out to God . . . God intervenes . . . people are restored . . . God’s power is shown . . . people praise God. Talk about your “circle of life”.

Oh, that I would recognize the Father’s redeeming and sustaining work in the everyday distresses of my life . . . both the big and the not so big. And then, might I acknowledge it. Might my tongue be loosened to give thanks . . . to lift up praise . . . to exalt His name.

For He is worthy . . . amen?

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At the Gates

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Pete

They are words that cause me to pause. As I hover over them, I ask myself, “Do I really believe that? And if I do, what difference should it be making?” Jesus wanted His disciples to get it . . . He wants His church to get it too. The Lord shared it, not to tickle some intellectual desire to speculate about prophetic events, but that it might impact how life is done. And if these words were intended to be impactful 2,000 years ago, how much more should they be today? If “summer was near” then, how much closer are we today? Truly, He is at the gates.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory . . . From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates.
(Mark 13:26, 28-29 ESV)

Sue and I have been doing a mini-series on the end-times with the high-schoolers in our Sunday school class . . . just scratching the surface. But if I think I know anything for sure, it’s that a consideration of the end times should impact how I live in the “now times.” No doubt, there’s value in recognizing the signs of the times . . . of trying to do some orienteering within the prophetic calendar . . . but when all is said and done, isn’t it about living within the context that He is at the gates?

Israel is widely seen to be the fig tree which Jesus said would put out its leaves. Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948 is seen by many to have started the last leg of history prior to Christ’s promised return. And while we can debate the signs and the timing of events, isn’t it enough to know that summer is near?

And I think about the coming of the Son of Man. I try to envision Him in power and glory. I anticipate the reunion with the One who poured out His life for me. I chew on Mark’s words that “He is near” . . . that He is “at the very gates” . . . and I can’t help but do a bit of life check.

Am I living in the real anticipation of the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ? Not that I think I need to pack up, head to the hills, and wait on a mountain top for His arrival . . . but I should be living life with an “eye to the sky.”

Jesus says that no man knows the hour of His return . . . not even the Son, but only the Father (13:32) . . . but Jesus also says repeatedly that we should be “on guard” and “awake” (13:33, 35, 37). My King is at the gate . . . and I should be awake!

Life should be lived in the context of His promised return. The branch has started to leave . . . summer is near . . . and I should factor that in as I think about my priorities . . . my reasons for doing what I do . . . for pursuing what I pursue.

I don’t want to be surprised . . . or worse yet, ashamed. I want to be awake . . . I want to be ready . . . I want to be found doing what He wants me to do when He returns.

He is near . . . at the gates . . .

Oh, that I might be ready . . . that I might be awake . . . that I might be waiting . . . that I might be anticipating?

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

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A Divine Jealousy

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Pete

Paul was worried . . . maybe kind of sick inside. It had seemed like a match made in heaven as Paul had brought the two of them together and they seemed to hit it off just great. Paul had helped her as she got to know of Him and then Paul watched as she started to fall in love with Him. Paul could see the Savior wooing those with “hears to hear” at Corinth . . . and was there when “she” responded to heaven’s call . . . when “she” accepted the proposal and the “two crazy kids” were engaged.

But then things started going south. She started “hearing other voices” . . . questioning stuff that she had not questioned before . . . exploring things she really shouldn’t be exploring . . . listening to people she really shouldn’t have been listening to. The result? She started playing the field again . . . stopped “wearing the ring” when she went out on Friday nights, putting it back on her finger only for Sunday mornings. Darkness seemed less dark. Truth seemed less black and white. The pilgrim path seemed less clear. And Paul, the matchmaker, . . . the one who had been there from the beginning . . . the one who had brought them together . . . the one who had facilitated their engagement . . . this Paul was worried . . . sick to his stomach . . . overwhelmed with a divine jealousy.

I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.    (2Corinthians 11:2-3 ESV)

I’m hovering over the thought of divine or godly jealousy. The idea of the mind growing excited with a passionate indignation . . . the soul being roused with an envious and contentious rivalry . . . the Spirit compelling Paul, the gospel-proclaimer, the matchmaker, to fight for the relationship he had had a part in establishing.

Paul saw the church . . . not the building . . . not the organization . . . but the people, as a betrothed bride. And it killed him to see the church playing fast and loose with other scummy suitors . . . tore him up to see her flirting with other guys . . . disheartened him to see what had once been love-struck eyes fading and becoming grey. He knew the battle wasn’t against flesh and blood . . . that the enemy of God’s people from the beginning was sowing his seeds of confusion . . . presenting “another Jesus” . . . “a different spirit” . . . “a different gospel” (11:4). And it stirred him up to see her being led astray by his lies.

And I guess I can fit into this scenario in a couple of ways. One, I am she. I’m that betrothed virgin . . . brought into covenant relationship with One who has drawn me to Himself . . . awaiting that day when He returns . . . when I will be presented to Him . . . when the wedding feast will occur. As such, I should determine, as much as lies in me and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to ensure I’m dressed in the pure, white wedding garments of “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” That my eyes never stray far from looking “down the aisle” and to the altar and the One who waits for me . . . even now preparing a place for me that where He is, I may be also (John 14:1-3).

And the other way I can fit into this divine love story is as a “wedding coordinator” fueled by a godly jealousy to see the Bride and the Groom united as intended. I can contend for those in my little world who are betrothed to the Savior . . . encouraging a steadfast faithfulness as we approach the day . . . exhorting toward a passionate pursuit of the One who has pursued us . . . exposing the deceiving counter-messages seeded by the serpent.

Oh, that by His grace I would not stray from a since and pure devotion to Christ . . . and that I would be fueled by a divine jealousy . . . for the Bride of Christ . . . and for the glory of the King . . .

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Real Beauty!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Pete

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

If I were to quiz a group of Bible familiar people on who the great women of the Bible were, I’m guessing the responses might be Mary or Ruth or Esther or the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Maybe some would recall Deborah the “judgette.” But would anyone blurt out “Abigail?” I don’t think I would have . . . at least not before this morning. There is something about the quality of character of this woman that just jumps off the page this morning . . . an inner beauty rooted in wisdom and humility.

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

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

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

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

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

Wait-a-minute!!! . . . there it is!!! . . . who else do I know who was willing to wash the feet of others? . . . who was willing to consider Himself a servant? . . . who offered take upon Himself the guilt of others?

That’s why this lady stands out! . . . that’s what attracts my attention to her this morning . . . that’s the source of her beauty . . . that’s the secret . . . Abigail had the heart of Christ . . . her beauty was in the “hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in Gods sight is very precious” (1Peter 3:4). She bore the spirit of the Son of God. Now that’s real beauty! Amen?

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God’s Portfolio

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Pete

It’s a primary task of aspiring startup artists. In order to be known they need to showcase their work. In order to establish their mark they need to be able to present their ideas, skills, and some evidence of their capability. It becomes a body of work against which they are evaluated . . . a compilation of their outputs which serve to establish their name. It is their portfolio. And this morning, Psalm 104 presents something of God’s portfolio . . .

O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.   (Psalm 104:24 ESV)

Psalm 104 is a wonderful catalog of the works of God. From setting the earth on it’s foundation . . . to putting in place the ways of the animal kingdom . . . to wiring in place the ecosystem . . . to shaping daily and seasonal routines around the consistency of the sun and the moon . . . to actively, consistently, infusing and sustaining the earth with on-going life . . . the psalmist connects creation with the Creator. It all declares the manifold works of God . . . it reveals the “Artist” . . . it showcases His capability . . . it reveals His heart . . . it is a part of His portfolio put on display.

You read the psalm and you sense the increasing excitement of the writer as he thoughtfully creates his list of all that declares the glory of God. And it’s stuff like springs that gush forth in the valleys providing drink to the beasts in the field . . . grass that grows to feed livestock and food that comes from the earth for man to partake of . . . trees in which birds build their nests . . . mountains which are home to wild goats . . . rocks that are put in place as the dwelling place for badgers . . . and “the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.” The psalmist considers that all of it, that every living thing is dependent upon the One who made them . . . that they “all look to You, to give them their food in due season.”

The songwriter has eyes to see that the “natural order” of things is perpetuated only by the supernatural husbandry of the One “clothed with splendor and majesty” . . . that the mechanics and logistics formed into the earth’s operation are supervised by Him who “makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind” . . . that the beauty of the earth is a mere reflection of the glory of God.

Creation is the portfolio of God. It communicates something of His nature . . . it declares but a fraction of His power. As such, it should create wonder . . . it should invoke awe . . . it should prime the pump of praise . . . it will, if considered for any length of time at all, awaken the soul to bless the LORD!

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. . . . Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!   (Psalm 104:33-35 ESV)

And amidst all that declares the glory of God . . . considering all that God has done and the joy it brings Him . . . there is something in the closing verses of this song which also evidences the reality of His hand . . . something else on this orb that God delights to have in His portfolio. It is the meditation of those who take notice of God’s work and rejoice in them. That, says the psalmist, pleases Him as well. It is another testimony to the hand of God . . . another small piece in His vast display of awesome works that declare His presence . . . another trophy of His grace which reflects His glory.

Oh, to slow down and reflect on God’s portfolio . . . to chew on the wonder of that which day by day I take for granted . . . to take note of the works of God and allow myself to get caught up in the wonder of God. Oh, to be part of His portfolio . . .

Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

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