Dread or Delight

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Pete

Everybody’s going to see Jesus someday. Everyone will one day behold His splendor and glory. But, I’m reminded by my readings this morning that not everyone is anticipating it . . . not everyone will welcome it . . . not everyone will delight in it . . . in fact, some will dread it.

Started reading in Isaiah this morning. No wasting time . . . God calls out His rebellious children . . . He indicts a “a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged..” (1:2,4 ESV). They pretended to honor Him by maintaining the sacrifices and the feasts but God said that, without real devotion behind it, that their religious observances were futile and an abomination. “I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” (Isa. 1:11-13)

And then He promises a future day . . . the Day of the Lord . . . when His Righteous One will return “to terrify the earth” (Isa. 2:19,21) with judgment and to establish righteousness. He will return in glory and He will be seen in His majesty . . . and the pervasive response? . . . what will it be? . . . terror. Three times in Isaiah 2 I read that when Jesus returns to this earth as King that the people will flee to hide “from before the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty.” (Isa. 2:10, 19, 21)

And I can’t help but think how foreign the idea is to me that encountering the splendor and glory of His majesty would result in terror or dread (NIV) or fear. This isn’t the “reverential fear” we so often talk about . . . this is runaway and try to hide fear . . . this is escape with your life dread . . . this is wide-eyed terror. All evoked by the glory of Christ’s majesty. Yikes!!! Yet I’m desiring to see His majesty . . . I’m anticipating the presence of His glory . . . I’m delighting in the thought of being face-to-face someday and beholding His splendor. So what’s up? Hebrews 1 . . . another reading of mine this morning . . . is what’s up!

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets (like Isaiah), but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1-2a) and, by the grace of God, I’ve heard Him. I don’t dread the Son’s return in majesty because, by faith, the Voice broke through this sinner’s hard heart and plugged ears . . . and today I know Him. I know God has appointed Jesus to be heir of all things . . . this One through Whom God made the worlds . . . the Blessed Son of God who is “the radiance” of God’s glory and the “exact imprint of His nature” . . . He who is upholding the universe by the word of His power. (Heb. 1:2b-3a)

And far from dreading a confrontation with His glory, I delight in the hope of encountering the risen Christ in all His majesty. Why? Not because of who I am or what I’ve done, but because this same Son of majestic splendor and glory has, Himself, purged my sins, providing the way for my salvation. (Heb. 1:3b). And that’s the difference. That’s why, rather than dread it, I rejoice in the thought of His return. Because my King first visited this earth as Servant and as the once-for-all sacrificial Lamb of God. He paid the price in full for my sin and made way for full and complete redemption. He brought me into relationship with Himself. He set His Spirit within me to ready me for that encounter on that day. And so, I delight in the thought of being up close and personal with the splendor of His majesty because I have a ton of personal one-on-one “thank you’s” and praise to express to Him.

Dread or delight? Same Savior . . . Same Son of God . . . Same King of Kings and Lord of Lords . . . two very different responses to being in the presence of His glory. And so God pleads through the prophet, ” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall become as wool.’ ” (Isa. 1:18)

That’s me . . . white as snow . . . just like wool . . . white . . . cleansed by the blood of Christ . . . by the grace of God. And so, I delight in anticipation of that day when He will return in splendor and glory and I behold His majesty.

Even so, Lord Jesus, Come!!!!

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The Reverse Occurred

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Pete

Have been reading through Esther this week. Always enjoy this read. Always intrigued by the absolute absence of any mention of God — how creative is my God? . . . Esther too is a God-breathed, forever God preserved piece of holy writing, that never mentions God . . . unreal! And, I’m always thrilled to see God all over the “circumstances” and “coincidences” of this story. But this morning, what excited me were three words that popped off the page that summarize the events of the story of Esther. Three words that capture the workings of God . . . three words that speak of the essence of redemption.

“Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.”          (Esther 9:1 ESV)

“The reverse occurred” . . . three words in the ESV. Three words in the NKJV, “the opposite occurred.” Four words in the NIV, “the tables were turned.” That, in a nutshell, is the story of Esther and the Jews salvation from their enemies. And, isn’t that also a fitting tag line capturing the implications of our story of redemption, as well?

Esther, aka Hadassah, an orphan of Jewish exiles . . . destined to live as a nobody . . . but the reverse occurred and she became queen. Haman, on a meteoric rise to the top ranks of the Persian government . . . a man of great influence . . . a man of great pride . . . a sworn enemy of Mordecai, the Jew . . . he had built a gallows, seven stories high, to hang Mordecai upon, to make Mordecai an example . . . but the opposite occurred and, instead, Mordecai was strung up for all to see. The thirteenth day of the twelfth month set as the day of destruction for all Jews . . . an edict of the king of Persia which could not be revoked . . . a day to be the last day of all who had been carried away from Jerusalem . . . but the tables were turned . . . the Jews were given power to rise up against their enemies . . . the Jews defeated those who had determined to destroy them . . . rather than a day of defeat, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month had become a day of great victory and celebration. The reverse occurred.

Ok . . . so run with that . . . tell me that isn’t the story of my redemption. A nobody . . . a sinner . . . separated from the promises of God . . . excluded from the kingdom of heaven . . . with no thought or hope of every entering it’s gates . . . but the reverse occurred and I’m now I am a child of God . . . a co-heir with Christ . . . raised up and seated with Him in the heavenly places. I was hounded by an enemy . . . a being of great power and pride . . . determined to destroy body and soul . . . for the wages of sin is death . . . but the opposite occurred and, instead, the enemy was defeated . . . death was conquered . . . and the victory won through the resurrection of the Son of God became mine.

And the tables are turned again and again. Once I was blind, but now I see. Once I was mastered by flesh, but now I am Spirit run. Once I was an enemy of God, but now through His blessed Son I am called a friend. Once I was without hope in the world, but now I have a confident expectation that the best is yet to come. Once I was without power, but now I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And the list can go on and on. Amen?

Praise God for the book of Esther. Praise God for this book, which is part of a compilation of books intended to reveal Him, which never mentions Him once . . . but which cries out repeatedly of His Sovereign workings and grace. Praise God for this book which never mentions redemption, but redemption is written all through it. Praise God for tables turned . . . for nobodies made part of the King’s court . . . for sinners made saints . . . for death turned into life . . . for defeat turned into victory.

The reverse occurred . . . for the benefit of men . . . and for the glory of God!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

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The Fourth Servant

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Pete

He must have known it wasn’t necessarily going to turn out well. Three others had gone before him. All had been beaten . . . all had been treated shamefully . . . all returned empty handed. And now he was being sent . . . now it was his turn. No indication of a different outcome . . . so, why go?

Luke 20:9-18 is a story. It’s a story about a vineyard owner who had given the right to work the vineyard to leasers of his choosing. It’s about the vineyard owner wanting to share in the fruit of his vineyard and so he sends a servant to the tenants to collect some of what was already his. But the tenants beat the servant and send him back to the owner empty handed. The owner sends a second servant . . . same thing. And he sends a third servant . . . he too is “wounded and cast out.” And so, finally, the vineyard owner sends his “beloved son” to the wicked tenants. He sends the heir to the vineyard to reason with these temporary renters. Just as he had sent his servants, the vineyard owner sends his son. He reasons, “Perhaps they will respect him.” Instead, the tenants kill the son . . . they dispose of the heir . . . thinking that this will secure for themselves the inheritance that was rightfully his.

So why did the son go? Or, if he was going to go, why go as the servants had and not with a full compliment of the father’s resources, taking the vineyard back by force? Because it was the father’s way . . . and the son desired to do the will of his father. Because the father patiently wanted to provide opportunity for repentance . . . he desired reconciliation . . . and so, the son went . . . as the fourth servant.

Jesus told the story. It was about the vineyard, Israel. It was about the religious establishment of the day, those who worked the vineyard for themselves, claiming ownership of their own. It’s about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . . . patiently sending messenger after messenger to call back those determined to serve self over serving God. And it’s about the Son of God . . . the One who came as humbly, who came as a servant . . . who proclaiming a way of reconciliation. It’s a story about rejection . . . and recompense for those who refused the Son. And it’s a story for all people today . . .

But to those who believe . . . and to those who receive . . . there is a story of redemption . . .

“He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13 ESV)

All because of the Fourth Servant . . .

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 ESV)

To Him be all praise! Amen?

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Who’s My Savior?

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Pete

Titus has got to be one of the “unsung hero” books of the Bible. Don’t recall hearing it preached on very often. Don’t really remember ever entering into a deep discussion about the gems contained in this part of God’s treasure chest. Maybe it’s because it falls in the shadow of what are perhaps the better known letters of the “Pastoral Epistles”, 1 & 2 Timothy . . . if the letters to Timothy are Seattle, then Titus is kind of Tacoma. The fact is, Paul’s letter to Titus is packed with good stuff but, all too often, I think I kind of forget it’s there. But there is something I do recall about Titus . . . a “claim to fame” that was put on my radar years and years ago . . . a great truth to remember . . . a wonder to behold . . . a catalyst to awe. Embedded within Titus is a uniquely presented answer to the question, “Who’s my Savior?”

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in His word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” (Titus 1:1-3 ESV)

” . . . not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ . . . ” (Titus 2:10-13 ESV)

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior . . . ” (Titus 3:4-6)

So who’s my Savior? God! So who’s my Savior? Christ Jesus! I have two Savior’s? Nope! I have one Savior . . . the glorious, incomprehensible, Triune God. One God . . . made known to us through three equal and personal representations . . . Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

God is my Savior . . . Jesus is my Savior. The Father sent the Son . . . the Son delighted to do the Father’s will. The Father offered His Son . . . the Son freely gave of His spotless life as the once-for-all sacrifice of sin. The Father is God . . . the Son is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” (Heb. 1:3). They are both my Savior for they are both One.

Do I fully get it? Can I precisely explain it? Not really. Is it taught in Scripture? I’m thinkin’ . . . check out Titus. Do I believe it? Absolutely!

And this morning, as I am reminded afresh . . . and consider afresh . . . the mind-stretching reality of the nature of my Savior, I quiet myself in the presence of a God beyond my full comprehension. I humbly worship the God of Creation . . . who entered that Creation through the Son, becoming flesh and eventually dying on a cross that my sin might be atoned for. I bow before the God of heaven . . . the God who has taken up residence within me through the Spirit, undertaking a work of regeneration and renewal within me for His glory.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

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Practical Instruction

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Pete

I guess my expectation when reading through Proverbs is that I’ll encounter practical tips for sound living. I’m anticipating down-to-earth counsel that, if heeded, will affect my behavior. But this morning I was a bit surprised to come across some “high and lofty” truth concerning my God . . . clear teaching on one of His defining attributes . . . which, as I think about it, also has a way of affecting my behavior.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3 ESV)

A reminder this morning of the omnipresence of God. His eyes are in every place. He sees it all . . . nothing gets by my God . . . whether evil or good, it is registered by a God who is capable of noticing it all. Think about it!!! Not an action, nor a word, nor a thought escapes Jehovah, the “Existing One.” Just spend a couple of seconds thinking about that kind of evokes a couple of responses . . . “Awesome!!!” . . . “Yikes!!!”

Just how big is my God? Way big!!! It’s so easy to just skim over a Scripture like this without at least trying to take it in and comprehend something of what it says about our God. Nothing is beyond His awareness. I can’t hide from God . . . I don’t need to let God in on what’s happening . . . His eyes are in every place. These are the sort of reminders that prevent us from “downsizing” our God . . . from fitting Him into a box of our own making . . . from somehow thinking He’s “manageable.” No . . . our God is beyond comprehension . . . His capacity for knowledge and understanding doesn’t even register on any scale we can imagine . . . our God is God — nothing less.

And when by faith I really start to get this, then the another stream of thought surfaces, “So, He watches everything I do? He knows every thought I think?” . . . Yup!!! And that has a way of impacting one’s behavior, too.

“Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of men!” (Proverbs 15:11  ESV)

The all seeing eyes of God see into the secret places . . . even the places of Hell and Destruction . . . even into the hearts of men . . . all of it laid bare before Him. Now it starts to get a bit personal. I’m ok with God knowing everything about everyone else . . . but me? . . . His eyes are keeping watch on my actions? . . . He knows all about my good . . . and about my evil? I find myself saying with the Psalmist, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:6) Do I fully understand it? No. Do I believe it? Yes.

And what then amazes me is that, knowing all He knows, God still wants to be intricately involved. Jesus says He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks and asks to be let in (Rev. 3:20). He requests entrance not to discover what’s in there — He already knows . . . but that He might be invited in to complete the work of redemption He’s started. Far from using the knowledge of His all seeing eyes to judge and condemn, He graciously asks to be allowed to interact with my inner man. He wants to dine, to fellowship, together . . . purifying my heart through His abiding presence . . . conforming my heart to His heart through His sanctifying Spirit.

So, maybe this is some practical instruction for sound living. When I get this . . . God’s omnipresence . . . God’s omniscience . . . it affects my behavior. I’m mindful of how I walk knowing He is everywhere and sees all I do . . . I’m aware of what motivates me knowing He knows all I think . . . and, I want to put out the “welcome mat”, inviting Him in, knowing that He wants to redeem all that I am. By His grace . . . and for His glory . . .

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Remember Me

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Pete

Kind of funny how this morning began. As I got up and went through my regular routine to shake away the cob webs (involves coffee!), I started to anticipate my readings for the morning . . . that I would be finishing the book of Nehemiah was in my thoughts almost as soon as I awoke. Even as I was pouring that cup of coffee, before I cracked the pages of my Bible, I started to feel the discomfort that I’ve felt before when coming to this last chapter of Nehemiah’s book. How come? Because of Nehemiah’s repeated petitions to God to “remember me.”

“Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service . . . Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love . . . Remember me, O my God, for good.” (Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31 ESV)

It’s not the first time you encounter this type of prayer in Nehemiah . . . I kind of skimmed over it with a, “whatever,” back in chapter 5 . . .

“Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.” (Nehemiah 5:19 ESV)

It’s always seemed a bit self-serving when I’ve read it in the past. Has had a ring about it that hasn’t sat quite right with me. Has bugged me because it seems so out of character with Nehemiah. Has caused me to wonder, “Is this a flaw in this man of God?” And so, even before reading this passage this morning, as the cob webs cleared, I think the Spirit was putting it on my radar and saying, “Time to resolve this conflict.”

Here’s the emerging resolution for me . . .

First, asking God to “remember” our works is simply acting in what we know to be true about God and is, in fact, consistent with His character and promises. The writer of the Hebrews says that God is not unjust and will not overlook our efforts on His behalf and the love shown towards His people by serving them for His sake (Heb. 6:10). When we do what God wants us to do, it’s actually more a prayer of belief and trust in the Master to ask Him to take note. I don’t think Nehemiah was trying to accumulate personal “brownie points” . . . not that he was seeking to be elevated in the ranks of the kingdom . . . but instead, he wanted his God to take joy in the obedience of His servant. It’s an acknowledgement that Nehemiah was just doing the Master’s bidding, that he was but a servant, graced by the King into His service, and simply discharging his duty. Remember me, O my God . . . I’ve sought to be faithful . . . I know you are God that takes delight in obedience . . . Be delighted!

Secondly, was Nehemiah simply seeking God’s continued blessing and grace upon the work begun? Not just in the rebuilding of the walls, that was the easy part, . . . but more importantly, the work begun in rebuilding the people? The idols were gone . . . temple worship restored to some measure . . . the Word of God rediscovered and being read and taught. Lot of good work had been accomplished, but “unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps. 127:1). A lot of blood, sweat, and tears had gone into re-establishing Jerusalem. A lot of “straight talk” and “tough love” had been exercised in seeking to bring revival to the people of God. But it would be arrogant to think that whether or not it was sustaining was dependent upon man’s best efforts. Apart from God remembering Nehemiah’s work . . . apart from continuing grace . . . apart from the abiding hand of God . . . what had been a good restart would burn out . . . it wouldn’t last . . . it would crash and burn. Remember me, O my God . . . the work You’ve begun, complete it . . . it’s not by might, nor by strength, but by Your Spirit that the work is ultimately accomplished . . . I know that You are the Architect . . . You are the Master Builder . . . this is the work of Your hand . . . Be glorified!

Hmmm . . . should be interesting to see how I wake up to Nehemiah 13 next year . . .

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Just Like David

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Pete

I didn’t expect him to be there. Kind of surprised he showed up . . not just once, but four times. It’s been 600 years since he was physically on the scene. But when it’s time to rejoice . . . when it’s time to praise . . . when it’s time to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving . . . it’s time to do it just like David.

I’m reading in Nehemiah 12 this morning. The walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt. The opposition has been withstood . . . the scoffers silenced. What’s more, the people of God have experienced revival . . . the Word rediscovered . . . the Word preached . . . the Word taught . . . the Word heeded and obeyed. And now it’s time to celebrate. Not in recognition of their own abilities and accomplishments, but in the goodness, grace, and great power of the God they serve. The temple is back in business and the walls of Jerusalem stand . . . all because God brought His people back. Back to the land . . . back to Himself. Time to rejoice and give thanks . . . and time to do it just like “David the man of God” had commanded.

Nehemiah 12 isn’t about David, but his name shows up four times . . . twice as “David the man of God.” And what impresses me is the legacy left through this man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). How integral he was in establishing this part of the temple activity. When it’s time to dedicate the wall, Nehemiah gathers all the Levite musicians and singers to Jerusalem and tells them to “go for it!” . . . just as David commanded (Neh. 12:24, 45) . . . and with the musical instruments “David the man of God” used (12:36). When it was time for the singing of songs . . . for the declaration of praise . . . for the giving of thanks . . . do it like David did.

And it reminds me that our modern worship isn’t something new . . . it’s just the latest form of something ancient . . . something God has ordained throughout the millennia to be part of what His people do when they get together. It is the natural response of the people of God to the wonder-inducing works of God. Though the slicing and dicing of animals ended at the cross, this form of sacrifice continues today . . . “let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name” (Heb. 13:15). And it is an offering that will continue throughout eternity (Rev. 4:9-11). And so, when Nehemiah sensed it was time to thank God for the work He enabled to be done, Nehemiah did just as David the man of God commanded.

And so they celebrated . . . “with gladness, with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres.” Today the instruments are a bit different. The cymbals have been surrounded by some “skins” and become a drum kit . . . the harps are now the strings of a piano (or the digitized equivalent) . . . and the lyres have given way to the guitars. But what should not have changed is the gladness, the thanksgiving, and the singing.

And unlike the worship service in Nehemiah 12, our choir doesn’t gather on the wall around the temple, but our choir IS the temple . . . “a holy temple in the Lord . . . a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:21-22). The glory of God dwelling where the people of God are worshiping.

Gladness . . . thanksgiving . . . singing . . . just like David commanded . . .

“And the singers sang . . . And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” (Nehemiah 12:42b-43 ESV)

May the joy of the people of God be heard far away . . . today, as it was that day . . . for His glory . . . amen?

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Give ‘Er!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Pete

I guess the question you need to wrestle with is this, “Is it a command for me to obey . . . or just Timothy?” If the answer is “Just Timothy” . . . then move on. But, if the answer is “Yes, me too”, then there’s some noodlin’ to be done. Three words . . . that’s it . . . but a lifetime of implication if they have application for me.

That Timothy had a very specific and distinct calling is evident. Hand-picked by Paul (Acts 16:1-3) . . . called and equipped of God to preach the gospel and tend the flock . . . Timothy’s ministry was clearly and audibly communicated both to him and to those around him. Prophecies had been uttered concerning his kingdom responsibilities (1Tim. 1:18) . . . hands had been laid upon him in recognition of his gifting from God (2Tim. 1:6) . . . it was clear to all the nature of the stewardship that God had given to Timothy (2Tim. 1:14). So, it is perhaps not too surprising that as Paul comes to the end of his life and writes some last words of encouragement and exhortation, that he commands Timothy . . .

” . . . fulfill your ministry.” (2Timothy 4:5b ESV)

“Discharge all the duties” (NIV) . . . “fully carry out the ministry” (NLT) . . . “do a thorough job as God’s servant” (MSG) . . . “fully perform all the duties in your ministry” (AMP) . . . “Give ‘er!” (PJC)

No missing it . . . pretty clear. No way Timothy could dodge that one. But does the command transcend that one man? Is it also for this man?

I’m not “in the ministry” . . . or am I? I haven’t been “ordained” . . . or have I? I’ve got a “day job” . . . do I have a heaven-sent set of other duties, as well? I’m thinkin’ . . .

If the command is for me then I better spend a little time getting clear in my own head what the job is that God has entrusted me with. What’s my gifting? What’s my role in the body? Where does He want me to serve? How does He want me to serve? How will I know that I’m “fulfilling my ministry?” And as the Spirit makes that clear to me, I better give ‘er!

Paul says in Ephesians 2:10 that I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (a ministry?), which God prepared beforehand, I that I should walk in them (fully perform all the duties?). I haven’t had hands laid on me, but a “grace-ing” has been given to me according to the determination and measure of Christ’s gifting and Spirit’s enabling (Eph. 4:7, 1Cor.12:7, 11).

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6 ESV)

Yup . . . I’m pretty sure that even though I’m not in Timothy’s shoes, I have a ministry to discharge. Even if I’m not totally clear on what that is, I should be doing my best with what I do know . . . and should make the most of the opportunities to serve that have been put in my path. At the very least, my head should be in the “fulfill your ministry” game . . . and then trust the Spirit to direct me as He pleases . . . and assign me “duties” as He purposes . . . and enable me as He empowers.

And then, it’s mine to obey the command . . . to give ‘er . . . by God’s grace . . . and for God’s glory . . . amen?

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Back to Obedience

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Pete

It occurs to me that had God not sent His people, Israel, to “the woodshed” in Babylon, Paul would never have written his second letter to Timothy (or, for that fact, any of his letters). If God had not driven out idol worship from the corrupted DNA of His ancient chosen people through the destruction of Jerusalem and 70 years as exiles in a foreign land, Paul would not have had the inner material to zealously seek the God of Abraham . . . and in so doing, encounter the Son of God.

What’s impressing me this morning, as I read Nehemiah 10, is the degree to which God turned the hearts of the people away from false God’s and back to His Word and His ways. I know that by the time Jesus was born the religious elite had twisted God’s commands . . . that they had created an elite status for themselves as they proudly laid claim to keeping all the laws of God (and few more they made up themselves). But at least they were wired to want to keep the Law of God. As I think about the alternative, a people still “cheating” on God as they flirt and defile themselves with gods that are not gods, I gotta think that the “re-wiring” God did within the heart of the people of Jacob set the foundation for discovering true freedom in Christ . . . “the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ” (Gal. 3:24 NIV) . . . even if it had to “detour” through “Legalistic Lane”, “Arrogant Avenue”, “Boastful Boulevard”, and “Sanctimonious Street” to get there.

So here’s what grabbed me in Nehemiah 10 . . . and the connection with 2Timothy 3 . . .

After some intense Bible teaching by Ezra and his accompanying teachers, . . . and after some heaven-sent conviction through the Spirit . . . Nehemiah and the people “make a firm covenant in writing” (Neh. 9:38) to follow the ways God had laid out in the writings of Moses. They had been brought back to “the Book” . . . back to the beginning . . . back to basics . . . it was time to do the fundamentals again. And so they wrote out a pledge . . .

“The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and his rules and his statutes.” (Nehemiah 10:28-29 ESV)

They separated themselves unto the Law of God. They made a choice . . . the world or the Word? . . .and the Word won. Back to obedience!

Because of that defining decision . . . hundreds of years later . . . a zealous, arrogant, Pharisee of the Pharisees from Tarsus . . . in pursuit of obedience . . . would encounter the Living Word of God . . . the Risen Christ. And he would return to ancient counsel as he encouraged a young, upstart shepherd to “keep on keepin’ on” . . .

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2Timothy 3:14-15 ESV)

Continue in what you have learned . . . in what you have firmly believed . . . the sacred writings. Separate yourself from the world and unto the Word . . . walk in God’s way . . . observe and do what God commands. Can I really fully encounter my God apart from a holy determination and desire to walk in obedience? I’m thinkin’ not.

Trust and obey . . . for there’s no other way . . .

Posted in 2Timothy, Nehemiah | 1 Comment

Stand Up!

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Pete

Yesterday I was at church for about 5 1/2 hours. Arrived at 7:00 for worship team practice . . . 1st meeting started at 8:30 . . . done by 9:45 . . . some good fellowship and catch-up time until 10:30 . . . then 2nd service . . . wrapped up about 11:45 . . . some more chat time . . . and outta’ there around 12:20. A good morning . . . time flew by. So why the preoccupation with yesterday morning’s timeline? Because I’m trying to get a sense of how long the people of Israel assembled in my reading this morning . . . for them it was 6 hours . . . and for them, most of it was spent on their feet.

“And [the Israelites] stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God. Then the Levites . . . said, ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.'” (Nehemiah 9:3, 5 ESV)

I’m trying to imagine that. Three hours (one quarter of a twelve hour day) standing as the Bible is read . . . that would have been from 7 to 10 yesterday. Then another three hours responding to the Word with confession and worship . . . 10 to 1. Mmmmm . . . that would have been different. Kind of easy putting in almost 6 hours when there’s a variety of activities . . . but to listen for three hours to a Bible reading (could you read Genesis to Deuteronomy aloud in three hours?) . . . and then to react to what you heard for three more hours . . . that sounds like a bit of a marathon to me. And the other thing I notice that kind of captures the imagination is that they didn’t need chairs. For most of the six hours they were standing . . . and, I’m guessing when they weren’t standing, they were on their face in confession and worship.

There was revival going on in post-exile Jerusalem. Stuff was happening . . . not only was the temple being rebuilt . . . and the walls of the city were being rebuilt . . . but the people of God were being rebuilt, as well. The Word of God had been rediscovered. This wasn’t their first marathon session with the Word. In Nehemiah 8, it records another gathering of people to hear Ezra read the word “from early morning until midday” . . . the “ears of the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” . . . “and they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (8:3, 6). And at that gathering, as in Nehemiah 9, when Ezra “opened the book in the sight of all the people . . . all the people stood” (8:5).

Something about getting to your feet which shows respect and reverence. Something about standing that says “I’m ready . . . I’m here . . . bring it on!” Something about it that shows desire. Something about being erect for six hours that has “Spirit Induced Revival!” stamped all over it.

I’m not advocating “no chairs” for Sunday morning service (might be interesting to try some time, though). What I am captured by is the hunger and thirst and willingness to receive and to respond to the Word of God. I’m intrigued by such a moving of the Spirit that people think less about their personal comfort and, instead, only want more of what God has for them. I’m a bit in awe of three hours of confession and worship . . . now that’s a major “closing song!” I’m trying to imagine what’s going on in the heart that makes an assembly of God’s people stand in anticipation and adoration.

Oh that God would again move His people to stand up! That I might head out Sunday mornings eagerly anticipating the Word being read and preached. That I might not critique the presentation but cry out for it’s power to impact me. That I might not keep looking at my watch but be solely focused on the Word. That I might not respond with mindless singing but instead resound with awe-filled worship and praise.

I’m not sure I’m up for a six hour service . . . but that I might, by the grace of God and the moving of Spirit, engage fully in the 60 minutes or so when I’m gathered with God’s people to hear God’s voice and sing God’s worth. I like our chairs . . . not sure I’d sell them on e-Bay just yet . . . but that I might be standing up on the inside . . . moved by the Spirit of God . . . desiring to receive . . . desiring to respond.

For my blessing . . . for His glory . . . Stand Up!

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