His Hand

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Pete

There’s something about getting to Isaiah 40 that lifts the spirit. For most of the past 39 chapters the tone has been confrontational and judgmental . . . appropriately so, for God will not share his glory with another . . . He will not allow sin and rebellion to go unpunished . . . He loves His people too much to not take out all the stops to bring them to their senses and seek to turn their hearts back towards Him. Having said that, it’s not really “fun” reading.

But then you get to Isaiah 40 . . . and you read these words, “Comfort, yes, comfort my people!” says your God . . . and the shift is immediately evident . . . the tone is that of redemption . . . and restoration . . . and renewal . . . and hope. And, while the immediate audience and context is that of the wayward children of Israel and the certainty of Babylonian captivity and the equal certainty of release and return, there is something in these words that transcends the ages and has deep meaning and application to the child of God today . . . for our comfort and encouragement as well. And this morning it’s the thought of God’s hand that causes my spirit to soar . . .

In Isaiah 40:12 I read that my God has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and that with that same hand, He can stretch it out and measure, from tip of thumb to tip of little finger, the expanse of heaven. Ok . . . so how big is that hand? Really big?!?! Ya’ think?

Too easy to just skim over that . . . in fact, I did the first time through this morning. But take a second and hover over that thought . . . within the hollow of God’s hand He can cup the seas of the earth . . . within the span of God’s hand He can measure the breadth of the galaxies . . . Behold your God! . . . or, at least try and behold His hand. Isaiah asks, “To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?” (40:18) The Holy One Himself also asks, “To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” (40:25) Answer: No one! Encouraged response: “Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things.” (40:26)

Behold God by lifting up your eyes and seeing Him through seeing His hand. Look out over an ocean and imagine it contained within a hand . . . behold the hand of your God. Look up on a clear starry night and imagine to your farthest left a thumb . . . and to your farthest right the tip of a pinky-finger . . . behold the hand of your God. Do that and then recall this other fact from Isaiah . . .

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'” (Isaiah 41:13)

Now, how amazing is that? . . . that the hand of God which can contain oceans and measure universes will also take hold of your right hand? That His big, big, big hand will grasp your hand to lead you . . . will gently take your hand into His to comfort you . . . will give your hand a squeeze to encourage and strengthen you . . . will take your hand in His to draw you near to Him . . . will hold firm your hand to stand with you against enemies and struggles. What is it to have God take hold or our hand with His?

And, as I think about it, is it not true too that, because of the blood of Jesus, we don’t have to wait for Him to reach out and take our hand. If we have boldness to enter the holy of holies and draw near in full assurance of faith . . . if we’ve been given the Spirit of adoption whereby we address this big, big God as Abba (aka Daddy) Father . . . is it then too much to think that we can take hold of His hand . . . as a little kid reaches up and grab’s their daddies hand . . . for comfort . . . and in confidence . . . and just because they like to.

Oh blessed thought . . . His big hand holding ours . . . our puny hands enveloped in His . . . thank You, Father!

Posted in Isaiah | Leave a comment

You Can’t Rush Disneyland

Posted on September 3, 2010 by Pete

A bit of a flashback comes to mind this morning. I’m thinking it was 1983 or ’86 . . . and I’m in California for work, attending a conference . . . Anaheim California, in fact . . . home of Disneyland. Now, I had been to Disneyland when I was seven years old and my memories of “the happiest place on earth” were magnificent. It’s funny how I still have recollection of the awe and wonder I experienced as a kid in that place. And so, though I had very limited time, one evening after the conference was done for the day, I showed up at the gates of Disneyland . . . bought a “sunset pass” . . . and had around three hours to revisit the sites that had captured my imagination as kid. And . . . bottom line . . . I was kind of disappointed.

It was off season . . . no lines . . . so I was able to literally run from one venue to the next . . . get in . . . get out . . . get on . . . get off . . . and move on to the next “exhibit of wonder.” But what I found was relatively “little wonder.” None of the rides seemed as “big” as when I had been there the first time . . . many of the exhibits seemed “less real and more fake” than how I recalled them from my youth. And as I think about it, some it was the fact that I had grown up and was now viewing things with “adult eyes”, but I also think a big part of losing the awe factor was how rushed I was . . . the fact that I didn’t take time to enter into the experience . . . no effort made to put on my “kid glasses” because I needed to get through the list before things closed.

So . . . what’s this got to do with my morning Bible reading and meditation? I’m reminded this morning how often I use the approach I took visiting Disneyland 25+ years ago and apply it to visiting God. King Hezekiah was that reminder . . .

In Isaiah 37 I read of how Hezekiah comes to God in prayer after being threatened by the forces of Assyria. A messenger has been sent to Hezekiah saying, “Give up now . . . we’re going to take your city and destroy it if you don’t. You know the Assyrian’s track record . . . no nation has been able to withstand us. Don’t fool yourself into relying upon your God . . . we have defeated all gods.” And just to make it official the threats are documented and delivered to King Hezekiah. And Hezekiah takes the letter, goes up to the house of the Lord, spreads the letter before the Lord, and prays. But before getting to the petition . . . instead of taking a panicked 911 approach to supplication . . . instead of rushing in and dumping before God His desperate need, the king takes a moment to enter with a prepared heart . . .

“O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” (Isaiah 37:16)

Hezekiah takes a bit of time to remind himself of the One whose presence He is entering. He pauses a moment to create some heavenly context for his earthly situation. Rather than flying in and flying out, He enters thoughtfully . . . establishing the awe factor . . . getting his head, and heart, freshly attuned to the holiness . . . majesty . . . power . . . and sovereign authority of the God of his prayers. And I can’t help but think how often I casually and hurriedly seek to enter the presence of God . . . deposit a few prayers . . . try and take in a bit of glory . . . and then rush out and on to the next thing.

Doesn’t it make sense, when seeking to enter the presence of God to first prepare the holy ground a bit? To first remind myself that I am entering a holy place of communion through the indwelling Spirit of God . . . to take a moment to recall that my God is God and God alone . . . to pause to reflect on the privilege of entering within the veil . . . and to consider the magnificence of His being . . . to enter into the wonder of being able to boldly approach His throne of grace. And it’s not about how much time I take to prepare the place of prayer, as it is about a “heart thing” that desires to quiet itself before His throne . . . to remember again the nature of the One I approach . . . to not take for granted my privilege . . . to not take for granted His grace and glory . . . to know again that greater is He that is in me than anything that is in this world . . . to not try to take an “express lane” approach to communion and yet still expect the awe and wonder and freshness of when I first believed.

Lord, forgive me for those times of entering Your presence carelessly, without little thought of Your wonderful character . . . for entering casually, because I am so rushed with other “more important” things to do . . . for entering complacently, taking for granted the access I have to You through the blood of Christ and work of the Spirit. Help me to slow down . . . and enter afresh into the real “happiest place on earth” . . . for my blessing . . . for You glory . . . amen.

Posted in Isaiah | 1 Comment

A Most Excellent Ministry

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Pete

It has got to be one of the most commonly asked questions between two people who have just met and start to engage in small talk, “What do you do for a living?” It’s usually a good starting point. Has a way of providing some basic information about an individual and can often be a launching point for further conversation . . . especially if the guy or gal says they are a NASA astronaut . . . or something like that. As I hover over the first few verses of Hebrews 8 (1-6) this morning I’m imaging what the conversation might sound like with the Savior . . . though the question wouldn’t necessarily be “What do you do for a living?” but instead, “What do you do for THE living?” . . .

My Lord has a dual-role (actually He wears many hats . . . but for the purposes of this passage, it’s focused on two). He is a Minister and He is a Mediator . . . His job-title is High Priest. His workplace is the sanctuary and true tabernacle erected by God and His desk is located at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heavens (8:1-2).

He is the Minister of the heavenly sanctuary. Having offered Himself as the once-forever blood sacrifice for sin . . . having defeated death through His resurrection on the third day after His crucifixion . . . He is uniquely qualified to serve in that place where the holiness and glory of God dwells . . . He, Himself, being God . . . very God. Just as the priests of Levi where to bring the knowledge of God to man and the gifts of man to God, He ever lives to be the means and catalyst for a man to know and experience a living relationship with God the Creator.

He is the Mediator of a better covenant established on better promises (8:6b). He is the Arbitrator of the covenant of grace . . . the “arrangement” He manages is one of unmerited favor . . . one based on the nature of who He is and what He has done . . . dependent in no way on our merit . . . requiring only faith for it to be put into effect. The foundation for this covenant of grace is a better set of promises . . . because they are God-dependent only . . . because their fulfillment transcends things of earth and are found in possessing every blessing in heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).

In short, my Lord has obtained “a more excellent ministry” (8:6a).

He is perfect for the position. He is uniquely qualified for the role. He is God . . . and He has taken on flesh, knowing what it is to be fully human . . . as such, He is the perfect High priest.

He loves His job . . . because He loves His people. For the joy set before Him, our salvation, He endured the cross, despised it’s shame, and became the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1). Now, at God’s right hand, it is His joy to intercede on our behalf. It is His desire to present us as His bride, without spot or wrinkle, before the Father (Eph. 5:27). It is His anticipation to host us one day at marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9). Even now He’s preparing a place for us, that we might one day be with Him eternally (John 14:2-3).

In the meantime . . . He is Minister of the sanctuary . . . He is Mediator of the better covenant . . . He is engaged in a most excellent ministry.

For my benefit . . . for my blessing . . for my future . . . worthy of my worship and consecration . . . and for His glory alone . . . amen?

Posted in Hebrews | Leave a comment

Worth Chewing On

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Pete

I know we are to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2Tim. 2:15). I know that we need to ensure we have the right interpretation before we move on to application. That we are to read the Word in context . . . line upon line . . . precept upon precept . . . thoughtfully and diligently studying to show ourselves approved workmen. But sometimes . . . sometimes it’s just about a phrase. The context doesn’t seem so important . . . the big picture gets lost . . . and the phrase captures your imagination and overwhelms your soul. And in those times, it just seems appropriate to “meditate on these things” (Php. 4:8). To think on . . . to turn over, again and again, in your mind . . . to ponder in your heart . . . extracting every ounce of spiritual nutrition . . . savoring the heavenly taste . . . chewing on that part of His word which God has served up for you in that moment. I came upon one of those phrases this morning in Isaiah . . .

“Your eyes will see the King in His beauty . . . ” (Isaiah 33:17a)

Stop there . . . don’t worry about the exact context . . . don’t try and figure out if it’s talking about the millennial kingdom or heaven . . . just ponder that eventuality. This is the hope . . . the confident expectation . . . the prize at the end of the race . . . the true crown of blessing . . . the reason to keep on keepin’ on . . . your eyes will see the King in His beauty!

Regardless of how we as believers might practice the faith . . . or understand specific doctrines or Scriptures . . . if we are redeemed by the shed blood of the Son of God . . . if we have, by faith, received the gift of His sacrifice on behalf of our transgression . . . if we have confessed with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed within our depths that He alone can save us . . . then these words are ours . . . your eyes will see the King in His beauty!

Oh, to behold Him! What will that be like? However the optic nerve works in that day, it will have to deal with the overwhelming input of the majestic King of glory. Arrayed in white . . . glory shining forth from His very essence . . . lifted high . . . His countenance such that we will not be able to look away but be drawn with rapt attention . . . yet His countenance such that we will have an overwhelming need to go facedown in humble awe and worship. To behold Him and see beyond the majesty of glory the scars on His hands and feet . . . to see in the King of Kings also the presence of the Lamb of God . . . to see the One who loved us to death . . . literally. Therein lies so much of the beauty.

To gaze upon Immanuel . . . God in flesh . . . to consider again Him who entered our experience that we might one day encounter His . . . to stare with unblinking eyes at Him who has interceded on our behalf at the right hand of Almighty God while we have stumbled along on our earthly pilgrimage. Think on it . . . welcome whatever picture might describe it best . . . footprints in the sand . . . a lamb on the shepherd’s shoulders . . . therein lies the beauty of the King.

And it won’t just be the eye that processes the King’s beauty, but the heart too will be set upon with trying to process His magnificent being.

How do you respond to such a sight . . . what will it be like to see the King in His beauty? . . . “Surrounded by Your glory . . . what will my heart feel . . . will I dance for You Jesus . . . or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence . . . or to my knees will I fall . . . will I sing, ‘Hallelujah!’ . . . will I be able to speak at all?” (MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine”)

Words fail what the heart feels . . . as you think on it, it really is better felt than tell’t . . . what joy and pleasure to savor . . . worth chewing on . . .

We shall behold Him! Amen?

(Got 6 more minutes? Continue to “chew” as a fellow trophy of grace contemplates that day . . . click here . . . )

Posted in Isaiah | Leave a comment

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Pete

For me at least, working through Isaiah can be a bit of struggle. Kind of like working through dense brush . . . hard to go in a straight line . . . next to impossible to find a well marked path . . . sometimes I just have to push by stuff that doesn’t make sense to me . . . other times I kind of feel like I’m just hacking away at the vegetation in order to make progress rather than taking note of it. But then, every so often, I walk into a bit of clearing . . . I kind of get where I am . . . and I can take the time to take note of my surroundings . . . and take in some truth . . . and have my soul refreshed with some spiritual reality. The latter part of Isaiah 29 was one of those clearings for me this morning.

A recurring phrase in Isaiah is “in that day”. While much of Isaiah speaks of God’s judgment on Israel and the nations around her, every so often the focus will shift to “in that day.” It’s a future day . . . typically a day of restoration . . . of revival. Most often I understand it to be that day when Messiah returns and sets up His earthly kingdom . . . and thus, it’s a day when things will be on earth as they were intended to be. “So, why wait?” I’m thinking. If I can get insight as to how things should be “in that day” why not seek to model it “in this day?”

“In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. . . . when [Jacob] sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel. These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine.” (Isaiah 29:18-19, 23)

Lot there, but in a nutshell, “in that day” deaf ears will again receive truth . . . darkness will be displaced with the glorious light of God’s word . . . joy will increase . . . and Jacob, the great patriarch will see his children return to the God who called him . . . they will come to understanding . . . they will learn doctrine . . . and . . . and this is what captures my attention . . . they will hallow God’s name, hallow the Holy One of Jacob. That’s how it will be “in that day.” Shouldn’t it also be reflective of the church today? of me today?

The NIV says “they will keep My name holy.” The ESV, “they will sanctify My name.” My NKJV says “they will hallow My name.” In that day, when Christ is on the throne, His people will be marked by a spirit which set’s apart His name . . . which regards the Name in high devotion . . . which treats the Name with sacred consecration . . . approaches the Name as if stepping upon holy ground . . . driven facedown by the Name as would be case entering within the veil and coming into the holy of holies. When things are as they should be, God’s name will be hallowed.

This is contrasted with the state of the people before “that day.” They draw near with their mouths and honor God with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Him (29:13). Far from revering the name of the Most High, they have things turned around . . . esteeming the potter as they would the clay . . . the clay even denying that the potter had crafted it . . . the clay condescendingly esteeming its understanding above the potter they refuse to acknowledge (29:16). No reverence . . . no consecration of the Name . . . no sanctification of the Creator . . . no hallowed awe of the Most Holy One.

But the day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father . . . when His name will be esteemed above every name (Php. 2:9-11). A day when the glory of His appearance will drive away the darkness of self-righteousness and self-exaltation and the magnificence of His majesty will compel us to cry out, “Holy, holy, holy!” To hallow His name will not be “a discipline” it will be a natural response.

So why not now? “In that day” can be “in this day” . . . today. The Spirit of God within me desires to work revival . . . desires to cleanse me and renew me with the washing of the word . . . desires to make known God’s precious Son in fresh and more intimate ways . . . is capable of opening my eyes of faith to the majesty of the awesome presence of the God who is my redeemer . . . to lead me, not just in words, but in heartfelt humility and adoration, to cry, “Hallowed be Thy name!”

Posted in Isaiah | Leave a comment

An Anchor

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Pete

My church has two services on Sunday morning. Because I’m involved with music at the beginning and end of each service, sometimes I’ll stay in the sanctuary for the sermon both times it’s preached. Some real advantages to this. If you’re like me, sometimes you’ll “zone” during the sermon and miss something . . . but because you “zoned” you don’t know you missed it. Sitting in on the message a second time affords the Spirit another opportunity to apply the preached word to the heart. Such was the case for me yesterday . . . I picked up something (or the Spirit put something on my radar) during the second service that I had missed during the first.

The preacher gave a simple definition for hope . . . I’m guessing he provided it in both services . . . but I only caught in the second . . . and it stuck. “Hope,” he said, “is the confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises.” Maybe not too new a thought . . . but, how true! I was struck afresh with how profound our hope is. The believer’s hope is not some “pie in the sky, by and by” fanciful thinking. It’s not “wishing upon a star” . . . desiring, by chance, for something to maybe occur. It is, as the preacher said yesterday, confident expectation. And, as I read in Hebrews 6 this morning, thus it is an anchor for the soul.

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever.” (Hebrews 6:19-20a)

God has made a promise. A promise that the blood of Jesus is sufficient to cleanse from all sin. A promise that the sacrifice of His Son is the once-for-all atonement for all transgression. A promise that, for as many as receive Him, to them He gives the right to become children of God (John 1:12). A promise that salvation is the start of “all things new” . . . that we are born again . . . that we are infused with the Living Holy Spirit of God . . . that through His word there is a renewing of the mind and a transforming of the person and a conforming to the image of Christ. A promise that one day we will be with Him. And our hope is that confident expectation that what God has promised, He will fulfill. That is the anchor of my soul.

I was reminded this morning that, as a child of God, I am an heir of promise . . . and that God’s counsel is immutable, unchanging, unalterable . . . that it is impossible for God to get it wrong by the very nature of who God is . . . and, that in the promise, and the surety of the Promiser, we have strong consolation as we lay hold of the hope set before us (Heb. 6:17-18). That hope we lay hold of is an anchor for the soul.

Oh, the picture painted, and the encouragement given, by the image of an anchor It’s the lifeline that allows a ship to ride out a storm or tempest. A solid anchor . . . engaged with solid ground . . . attached by a strong line . . . and no matter how upside down the conditions get, the ship can ride it out and know that one day it will put down that anchor in safe harbor.

The believer’s hope is such an anchor. And the solid ground which receives that anchor is that ground behind the veil . . . the Holy of Holies . . . the very presence of Almighty God. And the strong line? That’s Jesus Himself . . . the “forerunner” who has entered for us . . . leading the way . . . preparing our place . . . interceding on our behalf before the throne of God. The promises of God . . . our hope . . . secure on holy ground . . . fastened through the living Christ within us.

Fanciful thinking? Wistful desire? Dreaming upon a star? Nope! It is the immutable word of the God of promise who cannot lie. It is the believer’s reality. It is my confident expectation. It is the anchor of my soul. Praise God!

Posted in Hebrews | Leave a comment

He the Intercessor, I the Victor!

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Pete

If you were to ask me to turn to the portion of Scripture that pitted Satan against God over the battlefield of a man I would immediately turn you to the first two chapters of the book of Job . . . until this morning . . . now I might also turn you to Luke 22. It’s not two chapters detailing the conversation between Satan and God and the impact it had on one man’s life . . . instead, it’s two verses. But as I read it and meditate on it, it has as much information, if not more, about the nature of such cosmic contests.

“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” — Luke 22:31-32

Just as Satan challenged God for Job, so he arrogantly pleads for access to Peter and the other disciples. He came calling . . . he had already entered Judas and started the ball rolling towards Jesus’ death. And, thinking that was a done deal, the Destroyer now was going to take out the Son of God’s followers. “Let me at ’em,” he pleads with God.

His plan? Simple! Turn Peter’s world upside down. Shake it back and forth. Stir it up. Agitate it. Squeeze Peter through a sieve. Sift him like wheat. It might not be as dramatic as the onslaught against Job, but it would nevertheless shake Peter to his foundation. It would seek to break him of his faith. It would cast doubt into his mind . . . fear into his soul . . . uncertainty into his future. “Let me at him,” Satan pleads with God.

But just as God wrapped a hedge of protection around Job, allowing Satan to go only so far but no further, so God establishes a bulwark around Peter and the other disciples. Jesus. Jesus the mediator . . . Jesus the intercessor . . . Jesus the man who understood the vulnerability of man. “But I have prayed for you.” Hear those words? Jesus prayed for Peter. He knew what Satan would do . . . He knew how it would shake Peter and set him back on his heels . . . and Jesus prayed for him . . . that Peter’s faith would, literally, “not be eclipsed” or permanently fail . . . “Father, allow the devil to go only so far in stirring up Peter’s life and no farther. Do not allow the enemy to tempt My beloved disciple beyond what he is able to bear. Show my brother, Peter, the way to escape the onslaught. Preserve him . . . refine him . . . restore him . . . because he has some work to do for Me and for your kingdom! In My name, amen.”

And then check out what Jesus says to Peter, “And when you have returned . . .” When you return . . . not if . . . not maybe. The Lord was certain that Peter’s testing would result in a stronger Peter. Just as sifting would separate the wheat from the chaff . . . the silver from the dross . . . so too, Jesus knew that Satan’s messing with Peter would ultimately serve to strengthen Peter’s faith. Jesus the Intercessor was confident that Peter would not give in or give out . . . because Jesus was in his corner praying for him. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31) And when Peter came through the sieve, he would be in a position to strengthen his brethren . . . to encourage them . . . to say, “Been there . . . gone through that . . . and I love Him even more now.” The sieve would lead to power for the work.

How instructive should these two verses be for me? Is it beyond the realm of possibility that every so often Satan points to me and says to the Father, “Let me at him!” When I’m struggling . . . my world’s being shaken . . . I feel like I’m being squeezed through a sieve . . . would it be wrong for me to remember that Jesus is praying for me? To know that He is interceding for me . . . pleading that my faith should not fail . . . spurring on the Holy Spirit indwelling me to join Him in interceding for me with groans that words cannot express (Rom. 8:26) . . . and calling on the power of God within me to renew the inner man? And even in the midst of the sifting, can I not have the confidence that it is not about “if I return” but “when” . . . and that the trial or temptation will ultimately serve to refine me into more of the servant of the King I desire to be?

He is the intercessor!!! “Who then will condemn us? No one — for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” (Rom 8:34 NLT) “He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” (Heb. 7:25 NLT)

I am the victor!!! “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37 NKJV)

God gets all the glory!!!

Posted in Luke | Leave a comment

Going Undercover

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Pete

I’m guessing most of us have read at least one book where the author goes undercover and then writes of His experience. Where, in order to really understand the subject matter . . . to fully appreciate the experience . . . to know, first hand, the implications of a situation . . . they disguise themselves and place themselves fully inside the world they want to understand and eventually write about. Though in a slightly different sense, I read this morning of an Author who undertook such a mission. Not just a “writer/author”, but an “originator/author” . . . One, who through His “undercover experience”, became the source of everlasting redemption . . . this morning I was re-introduced to the Author of eternal salvation.

“[Christ], in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:7-9).

“In the days of His flesh” aka “undercover” aka “wonder and awe.” The Son of God . . . eternally One with Father and Spirit . . . God, very God . . . Creator . . . Sustainer . . . Forever Potentate . . . locked Himself in to our time and space continuum for 33 years, becoming flesh. Immanuel . . . God with us . . . self-divested of His heavenly glory. He, who’s name is above every name, made Himself of no reputation . . . taking the form of a bondservant . . . coming in the likeness of men . . . found in appearance as a man . . . undercover to the nth degree.

Not a distant observer in the shadows, but a full-on participant in the human experience . . . knowing first hand the anguish and desperation that leads to offering up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears. Think on that one a bit . . . Jesus crying out to the One who was able to save Him from death . . . tears streaming down His face . . . voice raised with pleading urgency . . . heard by the Father . . . learning obedience by the things He suffered. It’s kind of mind-boggling, isn’t it? He who created the human experience, determined to fully enter into that experience so that He might completely know what we know . . . even unto tears . . . even unto loud cries . . . even unto “Nevertheless not my will but Thine be done” . . . even unto death, even death on a cross.

Oh the depths to which the Son of God went in order to “qualify” to pen the path home . . . in order to inscribe the way of return . . . in order to become the Author of eternal salvation.

He is salvation’s source . . . He literally wrote the book on the problem and the remedy of sin and death. Forever penned in red is the triumphant cry, “It is finished!” Eternally secured, the way for man to enter into unfettered communion with God . . . secured through the “days of His flesh” and what “He learned” by the things He suffered.

Oh, to be reminded that I literally owe Him my life because He went undercover. To reflect afresh on the meaning and implications of His “in the flesh” experience. To bow in renewed appreciation of what the Son of God endured so that the love of God could be known.

Thank You Jesus for going undercover!

Posted in Hebrews | Leave a comment

The Sword and Safe Harbor

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Pete

I find it captivating this morning that, in a portion of Scripture concerned with “entering rest”, that it would speak of a sword. That in an exhortation to “be diligent to enter that rest” it would also portray being pierced and “divided asunder” (AV). One seems related to another . . . that, apart from some slicing and dicing with a razor-edged sword, true rest will be elusive. Such is my observation from reading Hebrews 4 this morning.

That there is rest available is evident from Hebrews 4 . . . “a promise remains of entering His rest” (4:1) . . . “we who have believed do enter that rest” (4:3) . . . “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself ceased from his works as God did from His.” (4:9-10) . . . “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest” (4:11). It’s presented . . . it’s defined . . . and I’m told to make every effort to enter that rest.

Kind of makes you wonder why the writer would have to do such a “hard sell” on such an inviting “product.” Who wouldn’t want to come in out of the storm? Who would turn down the offer of a calming of the winds . . . of a bit of R&R . . . of a place where the work’s finished and what’s left is for it to be enjoyed? Who wouldn’t want to enter safe harbor? Some, I guess . . . maybe me, too?

First, there are those who don’t really believe that such a rest exists . . . having not mixed faith with the gospel message (4:2) . . . rejecting grace and relying, instead, on their best efforts. Then, there are those who do not enter “because of disobedience” (4:6) . . . determined to do it their way . . . rejecting God’s way . . . the Bible says, “No way!” . . . rest won’t be found that way. Enter the Word of God . . . enter the sword . . .

The Word of God is living and powerful (4:12). More than ancient words on a page, the Word possesses a vigor and dynamic that interacts with there very soul and spirit of men and women. It is powerful as it is wielded by the Spirit of God like a double-edged sword . . . not a pocket knife, but also not some heavy, cumbersome, hard to swing chunk of iron. Rather, it is a small sword . . . a large knife . . . used for cutting stuff up . . . or, in this case, for “piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow.” It goes deep . . . it opens up wide . . . laying on the table the thoughts and intents of the heart . . . leaving nothing hidden, but opening up all things to the “eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (4:13). And it’s when we’ve been there . . . under the scalpel of the Holy Scriptures . . . that I think we’re ready to enter His rest.

The word reveals my pride as I think I can make it on my own . . . “Thanx for salvation, Lord . . . I’ll take it from here . . . I’ll run my life . . . I’ll work hard at achieving my dreams” . . . no rest. The sword cuts open my rebellion as I pick and choose how I want to follow . . . obedient here . . . less obedient there . . . skip that one altogether . . . but, when it’s all averaged out, I’ll do ok on the grading curve . . . “mostly well done, good and kinda’ faithful servant” . . . no rest. The word reveals my independence . . . my belief that if I don’t make it happen, it ain’t gonna happen . . . my inclination to “take the wheel” and ask Jesus to come along for the ride and bless . . . “my will be done, my objectives come, on earth as it is . . . on earth” . . . uh, no rest.

And when the mighty sword of God does its work . . . when the word of God has revealed the workings of my heart . . . when I see what He sees, the striving, the pride, the self-determination . . . then I’m ready to enter His rest. The need is clear . . . the folly is evident . . . and I’m reminded that I have a “great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” . . . One who sympathizes with my weakness and died for my foolishness . . . who was tempted as I am, yet without sin . . . who bids me to come, through Him, boldly to the throne of grace . . . and there, find mercy, . . . find grace, . . . find help in time of need (4:14-16). And yes, find blessed rest.

Thank God for the sword . . . thank God for safe harbor . . . amen?

Posted in Hebrews | Leave a comment

A Walk of Faith

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Pete

I think it’s possible to walk the walk of faith by sight. Not that this is a good thing . . . not that it’s profitable . . . just that it’s possible. I think we can get into a “faith routine” to such a degree that it’s really not about faith at all . . . it’s all pretty safe . . . all within the bounds of our comfort level . . . all seeming within our control. And anything outside the box of that “in control” walk of faith becomes kind of threatening . . . and, I’m afraid too often, is rejected.

It’s been a bit of a “one-two punch” in my readings this morning that’s got me thinking about this . . . set up with a left jab and then rocked a bit with a right hook. So here’s the set up . . . “A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?” (Prov. 20:24)

Chew on that one a bit . . . noodle over that . . . and tell me it doesn’t set you back on your heels a bit. I can just imagine Solomon penning this . . . the Holy Spirit inspires him to write such a high and lofty conclusion that, ultimately, where someone ends up is all directed of the Lord . . . and then, as he looks at what he’s penned . . . he furls his brow and scratches his head . . . realizing the implications of what he’s just written . . . “Then how can I know where I’m really going?” Precisely! You can’t!

And as I read that, I paused and thought to myself, “Pete, do you really believe that? Has God really mapped out your future direction?” It’s a question of faith . . . a realization, and then an acceptance, that, though I might have my idea of next steps . . . although I might know what I’d like to be doing later today or tomorrow or a few years down the road . . . it is God who has charted my course. So what do I do? I guess there’s a couple of choices . . . fight it and hold on to the steering wheel . . . or, go with it . . . recognizing that I’m going to need a level of flexibility with my plans . . . trusting that in His faithfulness . . . perhaps even viewing it with a level of excited anticipation to see where God eventually leads. Now, to the degree I’m abiding in Christ and have the mind of Christ and make decisions “in the will of God”, to that degree my way and God’s way should align. But it still comes down to, “Do I really believe it?”

Set up accomplished . . . then I read in Hebrews 3 where the “knock out blow” is delivered . . . “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion’ . . . Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’ ” (Heb. 3:7-8a, 12-15).

It’s a warning . . . a warning not to harden my heart . . . to be on guard against allowing any room for a heart of unbelief. Unbelief being that which leads away from the living God . . . unbelief being that deceitful sin which eventually can cause me to become callous to the voice and ways of God . . . unbelief being that which can seduce me into setting up a “faith routine” and a “sphere of faith” to my own liking and comfort level . . . to thinking that I can walk by faith by sight. Instead, says the writer, faith is the way of the “partaker of Christ.” I entered into relationship by faith . . . I owned Him as Savior and Lord by faith . . . and that confidence I held at the time of my salvation is the confidence, or faith, I am to hold to the end.

It is a walk of faith . . . it is recognizing that my step’s truly are of the Lord . . . that I can’t fully know, much less direct, my own way. It is resisting the old man’s desire to require control . . . and trusting God enough to go with His Spirit-led flow. It is embracing, and resting in, a true “nevertheless not my will but Yours be done” approach to life. And, as long as I truly walk by faith, my heart will remain supple to the things of God . . . able and ready to receive the Voice of the Master . . . trusting in Him fully . . . acknowledging Him in all my ways . . . confident that He will lead for my blessing . . . and for His glory . . .

Posted in Hebrews, Proverbs | Leave a comment