My, My, My

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Pete

As I read 2Samuel 22 I can’t help but think, at first, that David seems pretty self-centered. If I’m counting right, in my ESV bible, the word “my” or “me” is used upwards of 75 times in these 51 verses. But even though David’s “song” is centered around himself, it’s really not about him . . . even though he’s in the middle of it all, the glory goes to Another. If I were to summarize this chapter, I’d take a verse from another Psalm — “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” or, as the NLT puts it, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me” (Ps. 103:2). Even though it centers on “me” it’s all about giving praise to “He.” In particular what stood out as I read this song of David was his “my, my, my” focus . . .

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my Savior; . . . . But the LORD was my support. . . . For You are my lamp, O LORD . . . This God is my strong refuge . . . The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock, and exalted by my God, the Rock of my salvation!

                                                                       (2Samuel 22:2-3, 19, 29, 33, 47 ESV)

Check out that list again! My, My, My! We taught our kids when they were small not to say “mine” all the time . . . chuck that out the window . . . when it comes to the God who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us . . . when it concerns the God who has promised to give us strength to do all things . . . this One who is mighty to save . . . and mighty to sustain . . . and mighty to deliver . . . and mighty to do all that He has promised . . when it comes to Him, bless the Lord for My, My, My!

For David, he had known the “best of times and the worst of times.” Anointed king . . . yet, exiled to caves as others sought his life . . . slayer of the giant, victor over his “tens of thousands” . . . yet, victim to lust and defeated by one beautiful woman on a balcony. Righteous at times . . . yet, wretched at others . . . composing songs of victory and praise . . . yet, writing dirges from a spirit crushed by the wages of sin. He had been there, done that . . . . . . knowing the heights of victory and the agony of defeat. Yet in it all . . . one great constant . . . my God . . . my Rock . . . my Deliverer . . . my Shield . . . my Refuge . . . my Support . . . my Lamp . . . my Savior! . . . my Rock! . . . my Salvation! Oh, blessed be my God!

I’m no David . . . my story is no David story . . . but David’s God is my God . . . His Savior is My Savior . . . the same yesterday, today, and forever. And it seems to me, that I’d do well from time to time to reflect on His works on my behalf . . . and to own Him afresh as My, My, My. Not that I’d be consumed with how blessed I’ve been, but how great my God is. Not that I’d think that I’m something deserving of such favor, but that I’d be reminded of His grace and faithfulness and might. Not that I’d become self-righteous, but that He would become all-in-all receiving blessing, honor, glory, and praise.

How amazing is it that the God of Creation would be “my” anything? Answer: Pretty!!!!

He is My, My, My . . . oh, the wonder of my Salvation . . . oh, the blessing of knowing my Rock . . . oh, the comfort of leaning on my Support . . . oh, the confidence in following the way shown by my Lamp.

Let the recollection of God’s mighty works on my behalf produce a fresh sense of awe and of appreciation . . . and then will I cry out, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

. . . amen!

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Lift the Cup!

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Pete

It’s a good question . . . one that perhaps isn’t asked often because of grace . . . yet probably should be asked more . . . because of grace. The very concept of grace reminds me that there’s nothing I bring to the work of salvation . . . no merit . . . no righteous acts . . . nothing I can do. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins . . . the rescuing from darkness . . . the securing of the soul for eternity . . . every aspect and every iota of salvation relies upon the finished work of Christ upon the cross on my behalf. Mine is to confess the need for such a work . . . mine is to believe that such a work is sufficient to cleanse me from all sin . . . mine is to humbly bow before the One who is my Savior and own Him as Lord. Mine is to receive the gift by faith . . . apart from anything that I might think myself capable of doing. So maybe that’s why the question isn’t asked as often as it should be . . .

What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?   (Psalm 116:12 ESV)

But the question isn’t what shall I render to merit His benefits for me. Rather it’s a question that asks how can I respond to the benefits of God’s grace? . . . what can I return? . . . as the recipient, what can I give back to the Giver? Again, not that the rendering of anything I have somehow pays off the debt . . . or that by giving something back to God He somehow becomes more justified in forgiving me in the first place. Instead, the rendering is a recognition of the mercy of God in not giving me what I deserve . . . an acknowledgment of the grace of God in imparting to me that which I didn’t deserve . . . an appreciation of the righteousness of God freely given to me in and through His blessed Son. What shall I render to the LORD?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.   (Psalm 116:13 ESV)

This is the only place in Scripture where this exact phrase, the cup of salvation, is used. And the Psalmist says, “I will lift it up and call on Your Name.”

Brings to mind a lifting of a glass as part of a toast . . . as part of honoring an esteemed guest . . . as part of recognizing a noteworthy accomplishment. It also brings to mind the lifting of the cup of the drink offering . . . poured out over the sacrifice . . . turned to steam as it hits the flame . . . ascending heavenward as a sweet smelling offering. And certainly brings to mind the taking of the cup around the Lord’s table . . . a bittersweet remembrance of the sufferings of the Lamb of God . . . of the poverty He endured . . . that I might know the riches of heaven.

It’s a cup of remembrance . . . a cup of honor . . . a cup of thanksgiving.

And the contents of the cup? . . . the substance of the offering? . . . the nature of the fine liquid lifted toward heaven? . . . it is my salvation.

So much to get caught up with in “doing life” in general . . . so much trying just to do the Christian life . . . that sometimes our salvation becomes “old news.” Meetings to attend . . . songs to sing . . . messages to hear . . . duties to fulfill . . . prayers to pray . . . fellowship to enjoy . . . as someone has once said, “Run, saint, run!” Sometimes, I just need to be still . . . take a breath . . . come back to the basics . . . Jesus loves me this I know . . . For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son . . . Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

Oh that I wouldn’t wait for the first Sunday of the month to take the cup of remembrance and reflect on the price paid for my salvation. That I might take up the cup of salvation on a regular basis and pour it upon the altar of sacrifice expressing heartfelt thanksgiving for the His wondrous work of grace in my life. That I might take the cup of salvation . . . hoist it heavenward . . . and declare, “Great are You, LORD!”

Lift the cup . . .

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A Child of Promise

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Pete

They wanted to be under the law. They had been hooked by the lie that what had begun in the Spirit now needed to be perfected in the flesh. They had bought into the “old math” that Jesus’ work on the cross plus our efforts in the flesh equals salvation. The law had been intended as a “guardian until Christ came” . . . a restraining force until the way of faith and freedom was revealed. Never capable of justifying people before God, the law, instead, was to point the way to need for a justification accomplished by Another and appropriated by faith alone. But they wanted to be under the law . . . relying on their best efforts, they worked so that they might live like sons of slavery . . . rather than rest in being children of promise.

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. . . . Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.   (Galatians 4:21-23, 28 ESV)

Like Isaac, I am a child of promise. Born against all the odds . . . humanly speaking, without a chance of being brought into the family . . . unable to work my way “to the top” . . . with no heavenly capital of my own to buy my way in. The only entrance . . . the only means of becoming a member of the family . . . was through the determined purposes of God . . . through His Sovereign intention to call to Himself a people . . . to make them a holy people suited for His holy presence . . . to fit them for His family through the righteousness of His Son . . . and thus, to adopt them as sons and daughters . . . making them heirs according to promise.

Sometimes I just need to sit back and take in that I am a child of promise . . . born again not for slavery and obligation but made a new creation in Christ Jesus for freedom and gratitude-fueled obedience. Mine is not to be a law-driven labor to validate or secure the place prepared for me in heaven, instead mine is to be a rest in the finished work of the cross of Christ. My sacrifices and efforts come not from a desperate need to do the right thing so that God might be justified in showing me favor . . . instead, by His grace, I place myself on the altar as a living sacrifice as a response to His abundant grace and the justification that comes by faith through His Son.

I don’t think it’s natural to live as a children of promise. The flesh, the ego, the sense that you pay-your-own-way, all conspire to want some sort of law that I can check off to satisfy a need to earn my way. “Uh, uh,” says Paul, “That’s what children of flesh do . . . that’s how kids of the slave woman are driven. But you have been born through promise . . . born according to the Spirit . . . not children of the slave but of the free woman . . . like Isaac, children of promise.”

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.   (Galatians 2:19-21 ESV)

A child of promise . . . by the grace of God alone . . . for the glory of God alone . . .

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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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