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 . . .

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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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A Hard Sell

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Pete

It may just be one of the most compelling chapters in all of Scripture. It is a call . . . it is a plea . . . it is a glorious proclamation . . . it is a sacred promise . . . it is, as the heading in my Bible says, “The Blessings of Wisdom.” You read Proverbs 8 and you can’t help but sense the urgency and the passion around wisdom’s call to men to pursue her and embrace her. It, quite simply, is a hard sell.

The Spirit’s creativity in moving Solomon to personify wisdom as a woman who calls out to the simple to heed her words and embrace her ways is very engaging. It takes wisdom from some abstract concept to an appealing person. Sometimes I find myself reading these first chapters of Proverbs and “hearing” Christ as the voice of wisdom . . . fits most times . . . I’m guessing that’s intended. But back to the hard sell . . .

“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: ‘To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; . . . for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her . . . I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me . . . For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:1-7, 11, 17, 35-36 ESV)

That God values wisdom should be evident. That He desires that His people master “skillful living” should be clear. That He would that all saints should possess, in increasing measure, understanding and insight, jumps off the pages of this portion of Scripture. Solomon thrilled God when he, as a young man about to take the throne of Israel, asked for wisdom (2Chron. 1:7-12, 1Kings 3:10). And through these writings of Solomon, God uses wisdom’s voice to make His plea to me . . . that I would aspire, in some measure, to be like David’s son.

Oh that God’s Spirit would stir within God’s people a love for wisdom. That we would take advantage of her accessibility given us through the indwelling Spirit and the imparted mind of Christ. That we would pursue her as treasure, seeking her in the inspired, infallible pages of Holy Scriptures. That we would find her and that she would invade us. That we would embark on such a journey believing her promise that “those who seek me diligently find me.”

Within this “hard sell” is the pursuit of knowing Christ . . . of being conformed into the image of Christ . . . of walking as Jesus walked. And the reward truly is “better than jewels.” As we live as children of godly insight we walk in the fullness of the potential of the “new creation” we have become in Christ. As we head out into our days with increasing measure of heavenly understanding, we actively become the salt we’ve been called to be to a decaying world . . . we shine, by His grace, as lights in a dark world. I can’t help but think it all hangs on wisdom’s invasion of our hearts and minds.

And wisdom is not dependent on my IQ . . . rather on my SQ (spiritual quotient) . . . and that has been freely given to me in Christ . . . “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature” (2Peter 1:3-4). The treasures of insight, understanding, and wisdom are mine for the accessing . . . through the Word. They are mine for the possessing . . . implanted by the Spirit . . .

Hear her cry afresh this morning! Whoever finds her, finds life — and life to the full . . . whoever pursues her, obtains favor from the Lord. And, as I think about it, that’s, really, is not too hard a sell.

For my blessing . . . for His glory . . . welcome wisdom!

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A Measure of Revival

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Pete

Sometimes, some of the brightest gems can be found in the darkest places. I’m reading in Ezra 9 this morning . . . kind of depressing, actually . . . but in the repentant cry of Ezra before His sinned against God, there is something that caught my eye . . . that has me thinking . . . that causes me to get jazzed . . . . to praise God . . . to experience a measure of revival.

Background . . . Ezra has led a second troop of captives back to Jerusalem to assist with the rebuilding of the temple and of the city. He has recognized “the good hand of God” upon him (7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 31) . . . he is aware of God’s favor shown to him and the other exiles who had been allowed to return . . . knowing for certain that this historic “reunion tour” was all of God’s grace. But when he gets back to the land, he is informed that those who had been part of the first group to return had started intermarrying with “the peoples of the lands.” The people of God had “unequally yoked” themselves with people of idols transgressing the commandment of God. Ezra is mortified . . . he tears his garments . . . he hits his knees . . . and he repents, on behalf of the people, for His Lord (9:4-5). And it is in the midst of his humble, anguished prayer of confession and repentance that a “gem” surfaced.

“But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within His holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery. For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us His steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.” (Ezra 9:8-9 ESV)

It was that repeated phrase, “grant us a little reviving” that caught my eye. In the NIV it’s “a little relief . . . has granted us new life.” In the NKJV it is translated ” give us a measure of revival . . . to revive us.”

The idea here seems to be that of infusing some energy . . . giving life back to . . . restoring some of the jazz factor. God had “brightened their eyes” . . . He had extended His gracious love and care, giving these slaves of Babylon a kind of “pick me up”. And what was the means of this blessing? How was the favor granted? What was it that provided some “zing” to what had been the monotonous, day-in-day-out-in Babylon routine? The means of revival was found in the privilege given them “to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins.”

What hit me was that revival can come through God graciously moving us and allowing us to serve Him. Enthusiasm for the things of the Lord come through engagement in the work of the Lord. Nothing creates energy like doing God’s work . . . according to God’s will . . . in God’s way . . . for God’s glory.

Was it hard work to rebuild the temple? Was it sweaty . . . maybe back-breaking work? I’m thinkin’! But Ezra saw it as a means of God granting a measure of revival. Being able to put shoulder to God-ordained work was viewed as evidence of the grace of God . . . a reminder of the active presence of God. As such, it brightened eyes . . . provided relief from the ho-hum, hum-drum ways of the world they had been ensnared in . . . primed the pump leading to a gush of fresh flow of water and renewed passion.

Perhaps we think of serving the Lord as the outcome of a “jazzed Christian life” rather than as the means to a passionate, vibrant relationship . . . so maybe we wait until we “feel it” before we “do it.” But I’m wondering if we don’t need to get about doing the Master’s business in order to really get pumped about being part of the Master’s household. That it is in faithful service that we find “a measure of revival.” Maybe the reason for listless Christians has something to do with them not getting in the game . . . not aligning themselves to some aspect of God’s building program . . . not breaking a sweat in some aspect of kingdom construction.

Hmmm . . . a work to be done in a holy place for a holy God . . . a house to be restored . . . a measure of revival to be experienced . . .

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The Church

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Pete

Some might consider it but a building . . . “I’m going to the church.” Some might consider it just a set of activities . . . “I’m doing church this Sunday or, I’m going to miss church this Sunday.” But, reading in 1Timothy 3 this morning, I’m reminded afresh that the church is so much more than a place or a program. Instead it is a pillar . . . it is a power . . . it is a people gathered apart to the living God.

Paul has spent the better part of this portion of his letter to Timothy talking about “God’s church” (3:5). Specifically, he has talked about the importance of those who lead the church. The primary qualifications Paul lists are not those associated with someone who knows how to run an organization . . . rather with someone who knows how to lead and care for his household. The “job description” is less about competencies and more about character. That’s because the church is not a business, it is a family . . . because the church is not a program, it is people . . . because the church is not a place, but it is to be a pillar.

“I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth.” (1Timothy 3:14-15 ESV)

“The church of the living God” . . . chew on that a bit. The ekklesia . . . a gathering of called out people . . . an assembly of sinners saved by grace . . . a company of Christians . . . we don’t DO church . . . we are the church. And what makes us special is not our building (or lack of one) . . . it’s not the name on the sign . . . it’s not our vision or mission statement . . . it is that we are the gathered out people of the living God, called to be a foundation and support for the truth. How’s that for taking it up a notch?

Our head is not someone who occupies an office in the building . . . rather, our Head is Him who occupies the exalted place at the right hand of the God of heaven. Our Head is the risen and living Christ. We are His church . . . formed and empowered for His purpose . . . privileged to display His manifold wisdom and grace, to both the peoples of earth and the principalities in heavenly places, by His power.

Oh, how we “dumb down” the church when we see it as nothing more than a building or a service instead of the physical representation of the living God upon this planet. How we “low-ball” expectations when we seek nothing more than to throw a few bucks in the offering in exchange for a few songs and a good preach rather than anticipate encountering the living God . . . rather than desiring to see His glory fall upon us as we come together as the earthly dwelling place for God (Eph. 2:22).

What’s more,as those gathered together to the exalted Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are are given a time-transcending purpose . . . to be the “pillar and buttress of truth.” A pretty high and holy calling in a world that believes less and less that there is truth. But the church is to be the voice of truth. We are to be the voice of Jesus who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We are to be people of the Word of God because His Word is truth (John 17:17).

When this grips my heart, how can I again look at the church as but a place to go or a program to experience. Instead, I’m intricately associated with and woven into the presence and purposes of the living God . . . I am called to be part of a body that displays the power of God and proclaims the ways of God. How’s that for something to get a bit jazzed about?

Part of the living God’s church . . . all for the living God’s glory . . . amen?

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I’m In!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Pete

Ok . . . I’m in! Sign me up! Bring it on! Show me where! Planted in the middle of Proverbs 3 is an infomercial of sorts. The “product” truly is better than “sliced bread”. It can’t be bought for $9.99 down and $9.99 a month for 99 years . . . it doesn’t slice and dice and make julienne fries (whatever those are). Rather it is something that is searched out, not purchased . . . something that is obtained through a humble and diligent pursuit rather than by supplying your credit card number. And when it is found, the gain it brings . . . the profit enjoyed . . . is beyond all expectation. So, like I said, I’m in!

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:13-15 ESV)

Wisdom. Why wouldn’t we take up the Lord on His offer . . . on His plea . . . to seek wisdom? I don’t know that the culture around us really thinks about, much less values, wisdom that much. But the people of God . . . those brought from darkness into light . . . those made alive to the things of a kingdom not of this world . . . those given access to the thoughts of God, through the mind of Christ, taught by the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 2:10-16) . . . they should be the first to respond to wisdom’s cry (Prov. 1:2).

Wisdom . . . skillful living . . . insight and understanding as to how best to navigate this life . . . comprehension of how best to prepare for the next life. The same wisdom by which the Lord founded the earth and established the heavens (Prov. 3:19). Available to for the seeker. Better than silver . . . more valuable and stable than gold . . . more precious than jewels . . . nothing, absolutely nothing compares with it. How amazing is that?

Not that we become like God . . . instead, in some measure, we can know the mind of God, and leverage that knowledge as we seek to walk with God. It’s about being so heavenly minded that we max out the potential for earthly good . . .

“Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” (Proverbs 3:16-18 ESV)

Wisdom won’t prevent trials . . . wisdom is not some immunization from pain and sorrow . . . it isn’t a guarantee for no worries . . . instead it is what maximizes the return on all life’s experiences. It is that insight which sets our mind on things above . . . which encounters things on this horizontal plain with a awareness of a vertical dimension. It is that understanding that recognizes the hand of God in all circumstance . . . knows the presence of God in every step . . . acknowledges that the purposes of God will be fulfilled for our benefit.

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her . . . to those who ask for her, she will be given . . . to those who seek her, she will be found . . . to those who knock on her door, it will be opened . . . to those who “call now”, she will be sent freely . . .

” . . . yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5 ESV)

I’m in!

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Weeping & Praising Can Go Together

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Pete

It must have been quite the scene. It must have been quite the sound! People shouting for joy . . . people crying out in anguish of soul. Those singing out songs of praise and thanksgiving at the tops of their lungs . . . those weeping and wailing with an equally loud voice. Those whose spirits were bolstered as they beheld a cup half full . . . those whose spirits were crushed as they looked upon a cup half empty. Both perspectives had merit . . . both responses were appropriate . . . both response would be used of God to reclaim His people.

As I’m reading in Ezra this morning, the story of the return of the exiles to rebuild the temple, I can’t help but pause over this scene. It’s been two years since God “stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia” to issue a proclamation allowing those who had been taken into captivity to return to Judah, to go back to Jerusalem, and rebuild the house of God . . . to rebuild the temple which had been leveled at the hands of the Babylonians. (Ezra 1:1-4)

About 50,000 people pack up their belongings, load up the temple treasures returned to them by Cyrus and the offerings given by those who decided not to return, and head back to Jerusalem (Ezra 2). Seven months after leaving captivity, after having re-settled in the abandoned towns around Jerusalem, the first thing they rebuild is the altar of God . . . so that they could offer the burnt offerings . . . so that they could pour out the blood needed for atonement. Under the law, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22) . . . and they had a lot of sins to be forgiven.

With the slicing and dicing and sacrificing reestablished, they set out to rebuild the temple . . . the place that had once housed the glory of God. And after the foundation had been laid it was time to pause, reflect, and rejoice. Enough of the temple had been reconstructed that the priests could come forward and lead the first praise and worship session in Jerusalem in years. They brought their instruments, they gathered the people, . . .

“And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, ‘For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.” (Ezra 3:11)

There was great shouting . . . they gave ‘er as they declared praises to God. But there were some, “many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who seen the first house” who looked at the feeble beginnings of this “new temple” and, recalling the old temple, wept . . . and wept uncontrollably . . . wept loudly. It was the weeping of seeing an outline of a temple where once the glory of God dwelt . . . the sorrow of knowing that the glory had departed . . . that their sin and infidelity had resulted in God’s exit long before the Babylonians had destroyed it.

And I kind of think there was a place for both responses . . . that weeping and praising can go together. To recall the past . . . to acknowledge sin . . . to remember what once was or what could have been had it not been for bad choices, rebellious spirits, idolatrous desires . . . it all makes for true repentance and a godly sorrow. But our God is a God of new beginnings. It was He who stirred a Persian king’s heart to rebuild the house . . . it was He who had determined the time when exile should end and pursuing Him again should recommence . . . it was He who provided resources, skill, and grace to lay again a foundation for a place where God’s glory would again enter. And in that, their rejoicing is appropriate.

After acknowledging the past, mourning the past, repenting of the past, it was time to praise God for the present and rejoice in the future. Time to recognize the hand of God in what was happening today and anticipate His continued presence and leading tomorrow. Time to see in the freshly laid foundation the gracious favor of God . . . and anticipate in these small beginnings a glorious future because of the One who is faithful . . . the One who declares, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor. 2:9 NKJV).

“His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5 ESV)

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God’s Pleasure

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Pete

Sometimes it is about me. Sometimes what captures me in a Bible reading isn’t the great truths about God . . . or the commands to obey . . . or the promises to claim . . . sometimes it’s about what God thinks concerning this guy sitting in this chair. And the response of my heart is akin to David’s, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17). That the Lord of all creation would have thoughts concerning me . . . that Holy, Holy, Holy God would have any consideration of this so less than holy son of Adam . . . it can be quite overwhelming. And this morning I’m reminded it goes so beyond just a thought . . . so over the top from just a fleeting consideration . . .

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4 ESV)

God takes pleasure in His people . . . the NIV says “He delights” in those who are His own. Really? Yeah, really.

That I should be a part of “His people” would be enough, in and of itself. That this former enemy of God should be so completely forgiven and received into His flock is sufficient reason to rejoice. That this man imprisoned by sin should have been set free and welcomed into the kingdom would be cause enough to thank Him for eternity. That God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son to redeem the lost and welcome them into His family is more than a compelling reason to exalt Him. But then, on top of all that, to think that God takes pleasure in His people . . . how absolutely amazing is that!

Oh, to think of pleasing God. To think of Him delighting in me. And not because I’ve earned it . . . or deserve it . . . but because that is the gracious heart of God towards those who are clothed in garments of salvation . . . to those who are “in Christ” . . . to those who have called on Him as Savior and Lord . . . to those whom He has claimed as His own. God is jazzed by saved people. The heart of God is stirred with favor by those He has called to be a living temple for Him through His Spirit.

Despite the church’s dysfunctional nature at times, I imagine us putting a smile on the face of God as we pursue the pilgrim’s path, seeking the kingdom . . . as we give it our best shot to “walk in a manner worthy” . . . as we continue to confess our failure and cover ourselves with the all sufficient blood of Christ . . . as we keep on keepin’ on for His glory. He knows the weakness of our frame . . . He knows our struggle with the “old man” . . . He knows the desire to live for Him . . . and the Lord takes pleasure in His people.

It is the satisfaction a rescuer has in communing with those rescued . . . it is the warmth of heart a father feels for his children . . . it is the pleasure a bridegroom has as he adoringly looks upon his bride . . . it is the heart of God towards the people of God.

And it’s one of those truths which impacts the heart of the believer . . . stirs the soul of the redeemed . . . fuels the fire of the faithful servant to want to bring to the Master as much pleasure as he can.

Oh precious thought . . . that, in some measure, God would take pleasure in me. Oh, that I might seek to bring my King pleasure . . . that I might, from time to time, put a smile on His face as He “picks up” on my love for Him . . . that I might faithfully walk in a way that delights the heart of God . . . by His grace . . . through the power of His indwelling Spirit . . . and all for His glory. Amen?

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