You Are What You Worship

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Pete

It’s one of those questions that’s been debated for ages . . . “nature or nurture?” Is what you become a function more of how you are wired or how you are reared? Is it the DNA that has greater influence in how a person turns out or the environment in which that DNA is shaped and directed that really determines a person’s outcome? As I’m reading Psalm 115 this morning, I’m thinking maybe there’s another question to add to the debate . . . that perhaps there’s another dimension to consider . . . the dimension of what someone puts their trust in . . . the dimension of what, or who, someone worships.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:4-8 ESV)

The psalmist’s argument is pretty simple. Trust in something inanimate . . . and you’ll become inanimate. Worship something with no brains . . . your brain will cease to function. Exalt something with no senses . . . no heart . . . and soon you will stop seeing and hearing and feeling. Kind of scary stuff! But doesn’t it ring true?

Love the ways of the world and know you’ll start looking, thinking, and acting like the world. Trust in money and treasures and eventually all life is viewed through a filter of debits and credits . . . value and worth are calculated in dollars and cents. Form sports into an idol and it’s possible that everything becomes a competition . . . that people are divided into one of two camps, winners and losers. Make another person your idol . . . let someone become your god . . . and it becomes about pleasing them . . . and being like them.

But what if God is our god? What if we give glory to the One who is the essence of steadfast love and faithfulness (115:1)? What if our deepest affections are reserved only for Him who made the heavens and earth (115:15) and who resides in the heavens (115:2) and acts, as He pleases, in accordance with His holy being and nature? If that is our god . . . if He is the object of our worship . . . if it is before Him we willingly bow the knee and direct all glory . . . then, if the argument is true, shouldn’t we expect, over time, to take on His character and His nature? I’m thinkin’!

Not that we would think to become gods . . . but that we would expect (and aspire) to become more and more like our God. That, as His children, we would become more like the Father.

That we would be a people marked by steadfast love. A people known for our faithfulness . . . to our Master and to one another. That we would develop, with time and with practice and through the agency of the Spirit within us, a heavenly perspective of life on earth . . . an eternal view of that which seems temporary . . . a God-infused context which drives and directs our day-by-day actions and decision. That we would have the mind of God and imitate our God as we are conformed to the image of His precious Son . . . that when people see us they would see a dim reflection of the God who redeemed us . . . of the God we worship.

Oh, that we, as the people of God, would become what we worship.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory . . . ” (Psalm 115:1a ESV)

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A Debtor to Grace Only

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Pete

It startled me for moment as I read it this morning. I know I’ve read it before . . . I was pretty sure I knew “the rest of the story” . . . that it was just a lie. But when I read the first four verses of 2Samuel 16, it set me back a bit. Could it have been true? Could someone really respond to grace in such a way?

Context . . . David is king . . . sort of. Actually he is a king-on-the-run. His son Absalom has waged what is so far a “bloodless coup.” Through trickery and conspiracy, Absalom has gained a significant following and manages to send David fleeing with his household as Absalom claims the throne in Jerusalem without opposition (2Samuel 15).

As David is making a quick escape with his entourage he is met by Ziba. Now Ziba is the servant of Mephibosheth . . . crippled in both feet, Mephibosheth . . . son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul, Mephibosheth . . . recipient of unbelievable grace, Mephibosheth. David, rather than kill this enemy heir to his throne, instead, “for the sake of another”, extends favor beyond favor to him. . . giving him the inheritance of land that was legally his . . . and sets a place at the kings own table for him to dine . . . thus, making a natural enemy instead a member of the household . . . all for the “sake of another” (2Samuel 9). Talk about your amazing grace. Talk about riches at another’s expense. Talk about deserving nothing and getting everything. And, David commissions Ziba, once the servant of Saul, to work Mephibosheth’s inherited land and serve Mephibosheth as master. It’s this Ziba who meets David as David is high-tailing it out of town.

Ziba shows up with “with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine” (2Sam. 16:1) . . . some much needed provisions for escapees who didn’t even have time to put their sandals on as they fled (2Sam. 15:30). But David’s concern is for the lame man, the son of his dear departed “closer than a brother” friend, Jonathan. And Ziba’s response is shocking!

And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'” (2Samuel 16:3 ESV)

Now, 2Samuel 19:24-30 gives the rest of the story . . . looks like Ziba was a bit of an opportunist . . . a bit of treachery on his own part to take advantage of change in leadership and a master who couldn’t walk to defend himself. But here’s the question that haunts me a bit . . . could it have been as Ziba said? Could Mephibosheth, object of the king’s favor, have been biding his time looking for any opportunity to seize what he thought was rightfully his but was withheld by the king? Could a recipient of such amazing grace really be so self serving? Could someone rescued from certain destruction and shown unmerited favor without limit, be looking for an opportunity to secure more for himself . . . even if it meant turning on his benefactor? And if it is possible in the times of ancient kings, is it possible in this age of grace?

And what about Ziba . . . how had he “played the system?” How had he taken advantage of grace and a king’s kindness and power in order to leverage a windfall for himself?  Is it conceivable that there’s a warning here about playing fast and loose with the King’s grace? That sure seems to be what the Spirit’s saying to me this morning.

Oh, may the privilege of sitting at the King’s table always be considered blessing beyond blessing such that I seek no other favor than the favor He has freely chosen to extend to me. May I never “play with grace” and seek to leverage it to my advantage at the cost of another . . . arrogantly thinking that somehow I can “pull one over” on the Sovereign extender of such amazing grace. Oh, that I might never be a manipulator of grace . . . but a debtor to grace only.

For the glory of the King! Amen.

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No Hex-cuses!

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Pete

Sometimes you just gotta love Peterson and his translation/commentary, The Message Bible. Such was the case this morning as I was reading in Galatians 3 and checked out a couple of other translations. The word “bewitched” (ESV, NKJV, NASB, NIV) caused me to pause and hover over Paul’s seemingly exasperated grilling of the Galatians . . . an exasperation that I think Peterson captures well . . .

“You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?” (Galatians 3:1-4, The Message)

In those translations that try and stay more in align with the original languages, Paul calls these believers “foolish” and wonders, “Who has bewitched you?” The issue? A view that, now that they were saved (by faith), the way to favor with God was to adhere to the moral and ceremonial law of the old covenant. The cross was enough to get into the ballgame, but not enough to hit a home run . . . enough to avoid hell, but not enough to really merit heaven . . . enough to be redeemed, but not enough to be justified.

So, they were entertaining a “different gospel” . . . a “new and improved” version. They were being told that the 1.0 version of the gospel might have been good enough to start the journey, but that they needed the 2.0 version, “The Cross+” version, to get to the destination. Somehow they were buying into that, while it was God who began the work, it was up to them to complete it. And to this Paul responded . . . crazy! . . . give your head a shake! . . . what are you thinking? . . . who has bewitched you?

Apparently it’s the only time the word is used in the new testament. At it’s essence it means to slander or malign . . . by extension it means to “fascinate by false representations.” They were fascinated by the thought that they could earn justification . . . that they could power their way to righteousness . . . very appealing to the ego. But this “different gospel” . . . this “new and improved ‘good news’ ” wasn’t good news at all . . . it was demeaning to the work of Christ . . . it was degrading to the love the God . . . and it was enslaving to those who would embrace it. They were bewitched . . . they were under a spell . . . the intoxicating substance of self-sufficiency and ego led them to believe they had the ability to gain righteousness before God by their own actions.
In essence, using Peterson terminology, it was just an “hex-cuse” to nurture pride.

I’m reminded afresh this morning that it is prideful arrogance to think I bring anything to the table, apart from a submissive spirit and sincere desire to obey. When it comes to my sanctification . . . when it come to the work of God forming within me the essence of His Son . . . it is His work, not mine. It’s not about my discipline . . . not about my academic ability . . . not about my abilities . . . not about me at all! Just as my new life in Christ begun by faith, so the forming of the life of Christ in me is by faith. Just as I rely totally on the finished work of the cross for the washing away of my sin (past, present, and future), so too I rely totally on the promise of God and the Spirit of God to finish the work He has begun in me (Php. 1:6). Just as I believe that He is coming back for me, I also believe that He will present me to Himself as He wants me.

It’s crazy to think that I have to, or in any way can, add to God’s work. He is sufficient . . . He is my all in all . . . no hex-cuses!

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Keeping in Step

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Pete

I get it . . . I can relate to peer pressure . . . I can understand being corralled into a manner of behavior because others are doing it. But it still comes across as a bit of a shocker when I read of Peter caving to pressure from the “old school.”

After all, Peter had experienced the vision . . . he had heard firsthand that what God had made clean was not to be called unclean . . . he had truly understood “that God shows no partiality” . . . he had seen the Spirit descend upon Gentiles who believed the “good news of peace through Jesus Christ” . . . he had directed a Gentile family to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and into the fellowship of believers (Acts 10). But you get to Galatians 2 and he also withdraws himself from eating with Gentile believers “fearing the circumcision party” (Gal. 2:12).

And so often I’m quick to react, “Tsk, tsk . . . there goes flaky impetuous Peter again.” But, shouldn’t I be reading this God-inspired, God preserved record of a mighty man of God stumbling and instead be taking note that there is a right way and a not so right way to live out the implications of the gospel? To be reminded of the importance of keeping in step with truth of the gospel?

Paul was a defender of the fidelity of the gospel . . . “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8). Tough words. Radical unwavering stance. No “wiggle room” when it came to the gospel message. But proclaiming a true gospel wasn’t just a matter of words spoken . . . of crossing the appropriate doctrinal “i’s” and dotting the right theological “t’s”. Paul’s jealousy for the truth of the gospel extended to how it was lived out. Don’t talk of freedom through the gospel and live in slavery to sin. Don’t talk of Jesus as Savior and Lord and live for self. Don’t talk of the fellowship of believers but only fellowship with some believers. No, for Paul, it was important that conduct aligned with creed.

And so Paul opposed Peter to his face because Peter’s actions were clearly wrong (2:11). It was hypocrisy to preach “for God so love the world” and avoid hanging with those who were not of the circumcision. And hypocrisy has a way of breeding more hypocrisy. If Peter withdrew from eating with the Gentiles so would others . . . “so that even Barnabas was led astray” (2:13). And so, for one determined to protect the fidelity of the gospel message, Paul would not only call foul when “another gospel” was preached . . . but also when “another gospel” was portrayed. Equally dangerous . . . equally destructive.

Paul saw “that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel” (2:14a ESV). What they were doing was not lining up with the good news they were proclaiming. Their actions didn’t align with their words. Their decisions didn’t coincide with their doctrine. The weren’t keeping in step with the truth.

And I need to pause . . . and reflect . . . and first agree with the mind of Christ that says there is a right way and a wrong way to walk the Christian walk. That there is a manner worthy of our calling and a manner unworthy of our calling by which I conduct myself in this world. That, while there is freedom in Christ, it is not the freedom to do whatever seems right in my own eyes . . . or right in the eyes of a peer group which seeks to direct me according to its pattern . . . but instead freedom from the flesh, . . . and the world, . . . and the slavery of sin, . . . and others, . . . so that I might follow in a way consistent with the truth of the gospel of life.

Oh, that by the grace of God I might keep in step with the truth of the gospel. That I might have brothers and sisters in Christ who, when they see me getting out of line, love me enough to tell me to “fly right.” That nothing in my conduct would confuse the implications of grace. That I be might keep in step with the truth of the gospel . . . for the glory of God.

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A Seat at the Table!

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Pete

Undoubtedly his father had great hopes for him . . . envisioned him to be a great man of God. As was the norm, dad named him in accordance with that aspiration . . . he would be called “Exterminator of Idols” or “Dispeller of Shame.” His name was built around a verb . . . he would be a man of action . . . a godly man of action. Just as his father had bravely withstood the Philistines and repelled their aggression and their gods, so too, the boy would stand fast and stand firm for the things of God . . . a mighty warrior . . . a “dispeller of shame.”

But how things change. That day was absolute chaos. The boy’s father and his grandfather had gone up to battle against the Philistines and both were killed on the battlefield. The army of Israel was falling like flies before the enemy . . . the enemy was advancing . . . it was time for the people to flee. The boy, now five years old, was taken up by his nurse and she ran for their lives. But as she ran, she tripped. The boy flew out of her arms . . . crashing to the earth . . . breaking both his ankles. There was no treating the broken joints . . . no setting them back in place so that they would heal properly . . . the damage was done . . . it would be permanent . . . the boy destined for action was now a cripple . . . lame in both feet. Once the grandson of a mighty king of Israel . . . once the hope of his father’s legacy . . . now an orphan . . . a descendant of the “ex-line of kings” . . . unable to walk . . . unable to care for himself much less be a “dispeller of shame.” In fact, his was life lived in shame. The boy’s name? Mephibosheth. (2Sam. 4:4)

Years later the boy is now a young man. A crippled young man. Enter into the young man’s life . . . a king. A king determined to show kindness to the man . . . the kindness of God (2Sam. 9:3). Not that the the man deserved it . . . not that he could repay anyone for any kindness shown him . . . but it was kindness to be shown for the sake of another (2Sam. 9:1). The young man wasn’t aware that he had a benefactor . . . he wasn’t out seeking him . . . instead, the king sent for the young man (2Sam 9:5). When he arrived, he did what men should do before a king, he bowed and prostrated himself (2Sam. 9:6) . . . fear and trembling as he bowed before this king whom his grandfather had hated and had sought to kill . . . this king whom his father had loved with a love which was “wonderful, surpassing the love of women” (2Sam. 1:26) . . . this king who had the power to destroy this last descendant of Saul and thus, might contest the throne.

“Do not fear, says the king, “for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2Samuel 9:7 ESV)

Oh, what marvelous grace! God’s kindness shown through the king . . . kindness not shown because of worthiness but for the sake of another. The land restored . . . great wealth given to one unable to earn even a day’s wage. But beyond the wealth, a place at the king’s table. Four times that fact is mentioned in the account. The man lame in both feet would have that shame covered as those feet were placed by another under the king’s table. He would sit at the place of honor . . . he would eat at the table “like one of the king’s sons” (2Sam. 9:11). Not just once . . . not only when he found favor in the king’s sight . . . but this was to be his place continually . . . always . . . the deal was done . . . the sovereign decree of the king final. What restoration . . . what exaltation . . . what amazing grace!

And, each time I come across this amazing story of amazing grace, I can’t help but see in that man with the deformed ankles, this man sitting in this chair. I can’t help but identify with this one who was once of an enemy lineage which opposed the King. I can’t help but envision myself facedown before a mighty King only to hear, “Do not fear . . . I am going to show you God’s kindness . . . not because You deserve it . . . but for the sake of another . . . One who purchased your freedom. I will bless you with spiritual wealth beyond your understanding . . . every blessing in the heavenlies will be deposited to your account. But beyond that, I have reserved a place for you at My table. As a son and heir you have full rights to dine at the table. Your defects will be covered . . . your lame feet hidden . . . as far as the east is from the west it will be remembered no more . . . in My sight . . .and in My presence . . . you are whole . . . and you are wholly accepted.” I can’t help but marvel afresh that I have a seat at the table!

Oh, praise be to the King!!!

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A Question

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Pete

It’s one of those questions that causes you to pause. Although the details and circumstance are different, the question resonates deep within . . . you can enter into the mind and heart of the asker and along him inquire of God as to the reason. Just a three word question . . . just 6 letters . . . but one deep meditative query . . . . “Who am I?”

Reading in 2Samuel . . David has been anointed king over a reunited Israel . . . he has taken Jerusalem and established it as the capital of Israel and more importantly as Zion, the city of God . . . the ark has been moved to the city . . . and David, recognizing God’s favor in this “post-Saul” season of life, desires in his heart to build a more permanent structure for the ark of God. After all, David’s dwelling is in a house of cedar, the ark is in a tent of animal skins . . . shouldn’t something be done for such a great God? David desires to build God a house . . . but . . . God says, “Hold on a sec . . .

“And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. . . . I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom . . . I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . . . And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2Samuel 7:11b-16 ESV)

“Build me a house?” God says, “Not right now . . . instead, I’m going to build you a house . . . an everlasting heritage . . . an eternal throne . . . a forever established reign.” Talk about your “exceeding expectations.” Talk about your “above and beyond.” Talk about your “whodda’ thunk?” And what do you do when you realize that God’s river of blessing is more like flood . . . that His grace is not just amazing but abundant . . . that His love is not just shed abroad in our hearts but envelopes us completely? What do you do? What can you do? . . . but ask a three word, six letter question . . .

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'” (2Samuel 7:18 ESV)

When David hears the word of the Lord . . . as he fully comprehends the implications of the promises of God . . . he sits down. It’s not about getting busy to make God something in appreciation . . . it’s about resting . . . and reflecting . . . and then responding . . . “Who am I, O Sovereign God?”

I love to read the promises of God . . . I love to claim the promises of God . . . but God forbid that I should presume upon the promises of God or feel any sense of entitlement. Instead, the promises of God, should from time to time be a catalyst for me to humble myself in awe and wonder and wonder afresh, “Why me, Lord?” To be reminded that who I am is not who I was . . . but that He chose to love who I was . . . and determined to transform me into who I am . . . and purposes to complete the work He begun and make me into who I will be in the fullness of that day when I am with Him.

Who am I? I am a sinner saved by grace . . . I once was lost but now am found . . . I am purchased from the slave market of sin . . . I am a holder of a heavenly passport indicating my citizenship in heaven . . . I am an adoptee, brought freely and fully into all the rights of sonship and made a joint heir with the Son of God . . . whoever I am, it is because of what He has done. It is because He has chosen to love me regardless of who I was.

Oh, to take a few moments now and then and marvel at the promises of God . . . to remember that “all the promises of God in [Christ] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God” (2Cor. 1:20) . . . and to humble myself before the God of promises and in loving, appreciative worship, lift my voice to heaven and say, “Who am I, O Lord God . . . that you have brought me thus far?” Oh, to Him be all praise and glory . . . amen?

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Signs of Weakness

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Pete

They had forced Paul into a corner where he didn’t want to be. Some “super apostles” had rode into Corinth and started beguiling the church there with their array of “credentials” and their “new and approved” teaching concerning the gospel and other foundations of the faith. And in order to build themselves up in the estimation of the Corinthians, they were putting Paul down. And so Paul was pulled into a “bragging match” . . . and Paul felt like a fool being pulled into such tactics (2Cor. 11:16-21) . . . but if those were the weapons of this duel, then Paul would engage. And in that, he played “the ace up up his sleeve” . . . he pulled out his “big guns” . . . he showed his “signs of weakness.”

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. . . . I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. . . . [Jesus] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2Corinthians 11:30, 12:5b, 12:9-10 ESV)

Paul was in a duel . . . a gunfight at high noon . . . the weapons of choice not 45’s but bragging . . . they would brag about their stature and oratory and accomplishments . . . Paul would brag about being a slave for Christ . . . of having received five times, from the hands of the Jews, the forty lashes less one . . . three times beaten with rods . . . stoned . . . repeatedly shipwrecked . . . toil and hardship . . . sleepless nights (2Cor. 12:23). They spoke of their self-sufficient power . . . Paul talked of his powerlessness . . . and the all sufficient power of the Christ who lived within him. The super apostles bragged of their signs of strength . . . the “least of the apostles” (1Cor. 15:9), when forced to do so, boasted of signs of weakness.

My natural inclination is to, if not outright deny, then at least to hide, any sign of weakness. Paul laid his feebleness and neediness out on the table. I’m thinking it’s my pride that tries to mask or minimize my weakness . . . Paul’s boasting, however, was in that which would manifest Christ’s grace and power. I want to do everything I can to get out of a position of weakness and back to a position of strength . . . Paul, on the other hand, was, for the sake of Christ, content with weaknesses. For Paul possessed that divine perspective that when he was weak, then he was strong through the power of all sufficient grace.

And so it has me thinking this morning about signs of weakness . . . and a heavenly perspective on those situations where I feel powerless, without strength, and short of the means I think I need to get through . . . and in that state, to be content. The NIV translates it, “I delight in weaknesses” . . . the NKJV, “I take pleasure in infirmities” . . . Peterson in the MSG puts it this way, “Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer.” None of these quite align to my natural disposition when I’m taking a licking. Contentment, pleasure, delight, good cheer do not exactly describe my view of being run through the ringer. Oh, that the mind of Paul . . . that mind of Christ . . . would prevail. And that in my weakness, I would see opportunity for His strength and power to be manifest.

Not that I’m looking to get beat about the ears . . . but I do want to ready with the same kind of “bragging” should (or more accurately, when) the trials and testing come along. I do want the mind of Christ to be so operational that I see earthly impotence from a heavenly perspective . . . recognizing that, for those who abide in Christ, every situation is an exact placement of the Master designed to manifest His all sufficient grace and enabling strength. I want the pride that would deny and hide my sign of weakness to give way to a divine boasting in that feeble condition which declares that prevailing is not by my might, nor by my strength, but by the active agency of the Spirit of God which infuses divine power from within (Zechariah 4:6).

I desire, by the grace of God, that my signs of weakness be for the glory of God. Amen?

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That's Not Fair!

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Pete

It’s so easy to think it’s mine. So easy to forget that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights” (James 1:17). Easy to forget that it’s all a gift . . . and somehow start thinking I earned it and so I deserve it. My reading this morning in 1Samuel’s got me tracking on this line of thought. Kind of buried amidst a complicated story of deception involving David and the lords of the Philistines (1Sam. 27, 29, 30), God sets up a scenario where, in a place you might least expect to find it, grace jumps off the page. And, as I think about, it all comes down to the fact that grace is not about being fair.

So, here’s the “Pete’s Notes” summary of the plot line. Fearing Saul, David heads to the land of the Philistines and manages to convince at least one of the reigning kings there that he and his rag tag group of 600 men, along with their wives and children, are refugees. They seek a kind of “political asylum” as they convince Achish, king of Gath, that not only is Saul done with David, but that David and his entourage are done with Saul and the Israelites. David cleverly maintains a rouse that convinces Achish of David’s loyalty . . . so much so, in fact, that when all the kings of the Philistines rally together to go to war against Israel, David is invited (probably more of a “strong suggestion”) by Achish to join the Philistine army. But the rest of the Philistine kings don’t trust David and dismiss him and his army and send them back to their home, Ziklag.

David and Co. return only to find that while they were away, their town had been visited by marauding Amalekites who raided the city, razed the city, and took all their women, children, and livestock for their own. After inquiring of the Lord, David and his men head out to rescue their families and recover their possessions. So all 600 men head out but, along the way, 200 men simply run out of gas. They are exhausted . . . unable to keep after the Amalekites. And so David leaves them behind at the brook Besor (1Sam. 30:9). And, as a weary army at 66% fighting capacity, David and the remaining men overtake the Amalekites . . . wipe them out . . . rescue their families . . . return their livestock . . . AND . . . end up with all the Amalekites flocks and herds as plunder. Now here’s where it gets interesting.

When David and his men return to the 200 left behind and it becomes evident that David is about to not only return family and possessions to the 200, but also share with them the spoils of their victory, there arises some “wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David” who object to the 200 sharing in the spoils. There reasoning? They didn’t go . . . they didn’t fight . . . the don’t deserve any of the plunder (1Sam. 30:22). Ok, I get the logic of the argument. They way my kids might have put it when they were younger is, “How come she gets some. She didn’t help. That’s not fair!!”

But you know what? Praise God, that it’s not about what’s fair! Amen? Check out David’s response:

But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike — those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” (1Samuel 30:23-24 NLT)

Bam! Grace rears it’s glorious head! True, says David, they didn’t go into battle . . . they did run out of gas . . . but “brothers” . . . and we are family . . . what we’re bringing back is what the Lord has given us. No way we should have won that battle . . . but God is good . . . the battle was the Lord . . . and we share in the spoils. How can we be selfish with the goodness of God . . . how can we not show favor on others given the favor shown us.

I love it! We’re family. What we have is only because of what God has given. And grace received should result in grace being given. And that’s not fair! Hallelujah!

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Godly Jealousy

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Pete

Jealousy. I hear the word and I tend to think, “Not good.” Divine jealousy. I read that phrase this morning and I pause. Godly jealousy . . . hmmm . . . there’s a jealousy to be known which is pure . . . sanctified . . . the sort of jealousy that God might have. I guess I know my God is a jealous God, a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24). I know He is jealous, or zealous, for His holy name (Ezekiel 39:25). I know too that God is jealous for the place where His glory dwells, that the heart of God burns for Jerusalem, for Zion (Zechariah 1:14). And that He is jealous for His people is evident as, time and time again throughout history, He has disciplined them for their unfaithfulness and graciously made a way of return that they might know again the covenant relationship of His design. So, that Paul should have a “divine jealousy” probably shouldn’t surprise me. Maybe it’s the object of that zeal and burning desire which has so captivated me this morning . . .

” I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” (2Corinthians 11:2 ESV)

I don’t know . . . if it had been me, I might have been tempted to wash my hands of this dysfunctional church at Corinth. Talk about your “high maintenance” people! If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. Politicking and sects within the church . . . celebrating tolerance of sin . . . whacked out on the relative priorities of sign gifts vs. gifts for building up . . . a Lord’s Table that had become a bit of joke . . . confusion about the resurrection . . . wanting to keep one foot in the world and maintain a place in the church . . . and now, giving ear to some “super-apostles” who were discrediting Paul and introducing a “new angle” on the gospel. Brother! Too much effort! . . . let’s move on to a body of believers that is at least trying to “get it.” But that wasn’t how Paul saw it.

These were God’s people . . . as high maintenance as they might have been . . . they were still God’s people. Paul had seen the grace of God move in Corinth and redeem for Himself a people from this pagan population. And God, in His sovereignty, had said, “I want them as my bride.” Betrothed . . . literally “joined together” . . . that’s what they were . . . that’s how Paul saw them. And Paul saw himself as their wedding attendant. His job was to get them ready for that big day. To make sure that when they walked down the aisle they looked their best . . . that they were their best . . . that they were all they had been called to be by the power of the Spirit within them . . . and by the grace of God who called them. God’s people . . . betrothed . . . worth having a divine jealousy for.

And as I think about how to make this personal . . . how to make application for me . . . there’s a couple of thoughts that run through my head.

First . . . I am that “blushing bride to be.” I am a member of the “betrothed.” The desire of Christ is that I be presented to Him a “pure virgin” . . . “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). Oh, that I might cooperate with the “wedding preparation” work He desires to do in my life. That I might focus on that day . . . that I might love His appearing . . . that I might anticipate the wedding . . . that I might work in concert with the blessed Holy Spirit to transform me into the person He so desires to spend eternity with. May I take my calling as “betrothed” seriously.

Secondly . . . may I see the church as God does. Might I have the heart of Paul and possess a burning jealousy for those God has called to the wedding feast of the Lamb. Many, many years ago a dear older brother gave me the following words of counsel as I was about to head out on my own, “Pete, love the people of God.” For almost 33 years those words have stuck with me . . . to some measure I have tried to heed that counsel . . . but how I need to be fueled by a godly jealousy for His people. How I need to be “heated and boiled over” . . . how I need to be zealous and passionate . . . how I need to put myself out for that rag-tag group of sinners-saved-by-grace known as the church . . . that God might use me as He pleases to make ready His bride.

Hmmm . . . godly jealousy . . . I need to make it more of my vocabulary . . . I need to let it motivate me more as I hang out with and seek to encourage His bride. . . I need to leverage it more . . . for His glory . . . in anticipation of the wedding day . . . amen?

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Real Beauty!

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Pete

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wait-a-minute!!! . . . there it is!!! . . . who else do I know who was willing to be a servant and wash the feet of others? That’s why this lady stands out! . . . that’s what attracts my attention to her this morning . . . that’s the source of her beauty . . . that’s the secret . . . Abigail had the heart of Christ . . . her beauty was in the “hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” (1Peter 3:4). She bore the spirit of the Son of God. Now that’s real beauty! Amen?

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