In Awe

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Pete

Ok . . . you want to re-invoke a bit of awe factor? You want to go back to the basics and, in turn, turn on the praise machine? You want to hover over some realities that will ultimately result in worship? Then meditate over these verses in Hebrews 5 . . .

“In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of his reverence. Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the Source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:7-10  ESV)

Check it out! From the “days of His flesh” . . . to crying out with tears in prayer to the Father . . . to learning obedience through what He suffered . . . to being made perfect or complete . . . to becoming the Source or, as the NKJV says, the Author, of eternal salvation . . . to being appointed to the highest order of priesthood, an order based on “the power of an indestructible life” (Heb. 7:16) . . . that’s my Jesus!

I pause and reflect anew on the wonder of “the days of His flesh” . . . God incarnate . . . the Maker of the human experience entering that experience. Born of a virgin in lowly surroundings . . . growing in favor with God and man . . . tempted, in every way, as we are, yet without sin . . . experiencing the ups and downs . . . feeling joy and anguish . . . doing life like we do life . . . in order to share in our weakness . . . that He might fully act on our behalf.

Amazed that the Creator and Sustainer of all things found Himself pouring out tears in anguished prayer . . . humbling Himself to such an extent that He refused the help of the host of heaven’s armies He commanded, but prevailed solely upon the access of communion with the Father through the vehicle of prayer and strengthening of the Holy Spirit.

My soul hushed as I consider that God answered Jesus prayer . . . and Jesus still suffered and died. Reminded that God said, “Yes” to Jesus petition . . . but that Jesus asked that, above all things, “Not My will but Yours be done.” And so, “It was the will of the Lord to crush Him” . . . to put Him to grief . . . to make Him an offering for guilt . . . that “out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied” . . . that the Righteous One, God’s holy Servant should make many to be accounted righteous as He bore their iniquities (Isa. 53:10-11).

Thus, my Jesus became the Source of eternal salvation. Not A source . . . but THE SOURCE. He is the Well from which the fountain of living waters flows . . . He is the Rock upon which “life to the full” is built . . . He is the Craftsman who has begun the good work that He has promised He will complete. It’s all by Him . . . it’s all for Him . . . it’s all about Him.

And then to think, He wears the mantle and assumes the office of Great High Priest. Designated by the Father to ever make intercession for the wayward, the weak, the weary . . . able to do so perfectly through what He, Himself, experienced. Even now at the right hand of the Majesty on High . . . lifting us up . . . speaking our name . . . pleading our case . . .

Even while I lift up Him up . . . whispering to myself His precious, precious name . . . praising the Name of Jesus . . . worshiping at the feet of Jesus . . .

O blessed once for all Sacrifice for sin . . . O wondrous Source of eternal salvation . . . O exalted interceding High Priest . . . to You be honor . . . to You be glory alone . . .

In awe . . .

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Confidence

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Pete

I’m pondering an invitation this morning. Reflecting on the access gifted to me. Chewing on the wonder of a door opened to me. The invitation is to draw near to a throne. The access is to a footstool before a King. The open door leads to an inner chamber of royalty, authority, and power. And, so goes the invitation, I may draw near to such a hallowed place with confidence.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

It occurs to me that I’ve been hanging out at this place of privilege for most of the past week . . . and so have a lot of other people on my behalf, and on behalf of my wife and family. Within this inner sanctum, upon this holy ground, there is a throne of grace . . . a seat of unmerited favor . . . a dispensing place of God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It is a place where one can receive mercy and find grace when it is needed most. And, so goes the invitation, I can draw near to it with confidence.

Confidently . . . boldly . . . openly . . . plainly. Freedom to speak what’s on my mind . . . no need to conceal or be ambiguous . . . just pouring out what’s on my heart. Not presuming, but prevailing . . . not demanding, but desiring . . . all with assurance that He hears . . . and, as He determines, He dispenses grace to help in time of need.

And, if I put this verse in its context, the confidence isn’t based on who I am . . . or what I’ve done. But the confidence is found in another. It is based on the fact that “we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (4:14). A High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). He who died for my sin and was risen again now abides at the right hand of God, alongside the throne, ever living to make intercession for us (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25).

I don’t approach the throne of grace on my own . . . I do so with an Advocate. I don’t have to have it all figured out . . . or have just the right words . . . or have determined what God’s will is . . . or pretend to know what God knows . . . for “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26). I’ve got a lot of help before the throne of grace . . . and so, I can draw near with confidence.

As I mull it over in my mind, it has a way of impacting my heart. With this confidence there comes a peace. Not because everything is going to work out how I think it should work out, but because I have a faithful and merciful High Priest who goes with me when I rise up from the footstool and get back to doing life. A peace infused through the Spirit of the Living God who resides within me . . . 24/7 . . . my parakletos . . . my Helper . . . my Comforter . . . my ever present Intercessor. A peace that comes from knowing that I am never far from the throne of grace . . . that the door is always open . . . that the footstool is always available . . . my High Priest always on duty.

Praise God for such confidence! Praise God for such amazing grace!

Oh, what a Savior! Amen?

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The “Rest” of the Story

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Pete

Exhausting . . . this past week has been exhausting . . . physically, psychologically, and emotionally. But we’re recovering. Sleeping better at night . . . continuing to process the reality of a very surreal experience . . . emotions, more and more in check. But there’s still tomorrow. Don’t know exactly what it could bring . . . but to think about it too much can be kind of exhausting too. But thanks be to God . . . Who, through His word, provides safe harbor for the anxious heart . . . reminding me that, for the people of God, there is a rest which transcends our circumstance.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.”          (Hebrews 4:9-10)

I know the context and strict interpretation of these couple of verses concerns salvation. An appeal to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Hebrews, to recognize Jesus as God’s Son . . . God’s word in these last days to a lost and wandering people . . . One equal with God Himself, the radiance of God’s glory, the imprint of His nature . . . superior to angels . . . superior to any prior priesthood . . . superior to Moses . . . providing, for those who would believe, the opportunity to enter into a relationship with God . . . through the blood of His own blood and sacrifice . . . and thus, ceasing from striving to be “good enough” to merit the Father’s acceptance. That’s why it’s a “Sabbath rest” . . . not as much about the seventh day as about the ceasing from labors.

But I can’t help but think that this idea of a Sabbath rest is a principle applicable beyond believing unto salvation. That it is a principle to be reminded of as we work out our salvation . . . as we do life day by day . . . as we take a breath after an exhausting week . . . and hold our breath as we face a bit uncertain future. Then too, there is a rest for the people of God for the rest of the story.

Not that we put ‘er on autopilot . . . not that we curl up in a fetal position and do nothing as life happens to us . . . but that, as we move forward, we do so with the abiding knowledge that we do so not by our might or power, but by His Spirit (Zech. 4:6). That, as we take on the uncertainty of the future, we are not alone . . . that in Christ we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Php. 4:13). And when it gets tiresome, perhaps overwhelming, we will know His still small voice whispering, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30). That there is a realization that the work is finished . . . and ours is to rest.

There is a rest . . . there is a peace that passes understanding . . . because of who He is . . . because of what He has done.

And so, I can take a breather . . . steering my heart and soul into safe harbor . . . finding shelter and refuge from the storm. Knowing that in quietness and confidence there is strength (Isa. 30:15) . . . knowing that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37) . . . knowing that we can, with confidence, “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16) . . .

Knowing that that there is a rest . . . a rest from relying on my best efforts . . . a rest from feeling the need to be in control . . . a Sabbath rest . . . God’s rest . . . a rest for the rest of the story. Amen?

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A Bit Overwhleming

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Pete

A bit overwhelmed this morning. A week ago my Tuesday started out very normal . . . a week later, looking back, there has been nothing normal about the past 7 days. What a trip! Not even a blip on my radar seven days ago . . . no clue of what anguish (a word given to me by a close friend . . . a very appropriate word) and uncertainty Tuesday night and Wednesday would bring . . . no inkling of the hope that would start to emerge late Wednesday night . . . and the joy that would come Thursday morning . . . and the awe that would envelop throughout Friday . . . the “pinch me, has this all been real” during the weekend . . . and finally, “It’s good to be home” of Monday. A week indeed . . . not planned by me . . . but I have no doubt, purposed by Him.

I drank deeply this morning . . . stuffed myself with multiple days readings . . . a few things have touched me . . .

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. . . . A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?” (Proverbs 19:21, 20:24 ESV)

We had our plans . . . He had His purpose. We thought they were our steps, but they were directed of the Lord. Do I fully get the “why?” . . . not really, but in many ways, not all that important. Suffice to know His presence . . . sufficient to rest in His Sovereign determinations . . . blessed to know His abiding presence. Looking back, the ancient wisdom of Solomon rings so true . . . oh that I might move forward with such a perspective . . . ready, in a sense, for the unexpected . . . knowing, as another friend reminded me this week, that He leads me beside still water.

And I found this gem in Isaiah . . .

“If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” (Isaiah 7:9b ESV)

I’ve been thinking about this, on and off, the last couple of days. It’s not just about “my faith” but about what my faith is in. The unshifting part of this last week hasn’t been my ability to believe . . . but about Who I have believed in . . . “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2Tim. 1:12 NKJV). The foundation has not been my mental ability to “think good thoughts”, but His faithfulness . . . His promise to never leave (Heb. 13:5) . . . . His promise to be our refuge and strength, and to be an very present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1). On Christ the solid Rock I stand . . . all other ground is sinking sand! Thank you, Lord that you are the object of my faith . . . I do believe . . . help my unbelief.

And then there was Hebrews 2 and 3 . . . but we see Jesus!

For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers . . . Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-15 ESV)

He has been the friend that sticks closer than a brother this week . . . He has been the One who has said, “I know what it’s like . . . been there . . . trust me!” . . . the One who, while I wept at the thought of separation, provided freedom from the fear and bondage of the power of death. Oh, to know Christ . . . to rest in God’s purposes . . . by His amazing grace . . . and for His all-deserved glory! Yup . . . a bit overwhelming.

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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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