A Jesus Encounter

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Pete

It has to be one of the most amazing “Jesus encounters” recorded in the gospels. It provides hope for those who appear to be beyond hope . . . it illustrates the degree to which we are saved by grace (totally) and not of anything we can do (nada, zip, zero, double-doughnut holes) . . . it demonstrates the sole focus of the Son of Man to seek and save the lost . . . and it places the prize firmly before us. And all this is done in a two sentence, twenty-two word conversation between two men on the brink of death.

“Then [one of the criminals crucified with Jesus] said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'” (Luke 23:43)

So . . . what do you think about that? Hover over it for a bit . . . try and take in what just happened there . . . start running through the implications of all that is illustrated through that brief “death-bed” interaction between a sinner and the Savior.

What does it say about grace? It’s not like this hoodlum had been “interested in Christianity for some time” . . . not like he tried to “live by the good book” . . . not like he’d been seeking . . . in fact, both Matthew and Mark record that “even the robbers crucified with Him reviled Him” (Matt. 27:44, Mark 15:32). There this punk was . . . nailed to a tree . . . guilty for crimes he knew he had committed . . . hanging with his buddy on a cross . . . with Jesus in the middle . . . and, at least at first, he joins with the crowd . . . those staring up at the three but focused on Jesus . . . and he adds his voice to their blasphemous mockery . . . “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross! . . . He saved others, Himself He cannot save . . . descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” (Mark 15:29-32)

Imagine it . . . blaspheming Jesus one moment and then, only a couple of hours later, believing Jesus . . . really? Spitting, as it were, upon the Holy Name of Jesus in one breath and then, as he nears his last breath, addressing the Holy One as Lord . . . can it truly happen like that? Yeah . . . it can . . . that’s grace . . . the ushering into Paradise those who do not merit Paradise . . . and none of us merit Paradise.

That the thief went from reviling Jesus to revering Him . . . from attacking Jesus to defending Him . . . from trusting in himself to believing that the middle man on the cross was the Lord . . . and would be coming into a kingdom . . . a life beyond this life . . . and that Lord Jesus might “remember” and have a place for a vile sinner in His kingdom . . . all of it was a sovereign act of grace by the Father, through the Spirit, resulting in the Son winning one last disciple before death . . . one more follower . . . one who would follow Him into Paradise itself. And in that act . . . and through that conversation . . . grace is defined . . . the amount of faith needed is measured . . . the extent of hope is presented.

But as I was taught years ago by a wise preacher, one criminal was saved at that eleventh hour so that none may despair . . . but only one, that none may presume.

Oh, the grace of God . . . able to save the chief of sinners . . . willing to save, even at the last minute, all those who come to Him in faith . . . delighting in saving, even to sharing His Paradise as our inheritance . . . desiring to save, that we might be with Him . . . and have our own face to face “Jesus encounter” . . . and our own conversation . . . “Lord, thank You for a place in Your kingdom . . . to You be all glory . . . amen!”

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What a Return Policy!

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Pete

For anyone who knows my wife, they know that she is a Costco shopper. Started out of necessity . . . what, with 5 kids of our own . . . and the associated “gaggle” of friends they bring . . . and then foster kids . . . it was the right store that sold the right portions at the right price. And it continues to be the store of choice although, as the nest has emptied (though it has a way filling up again . . . but that’s another story) she’s finding she doesn’t need to buy food in such portions. But beyond the food, it tends to be the first place she goes for other stuff, as well. And, in addition to ease of access and quality of product, one of the main reasons she continues to shop there is because of their no hassle return policy. If it isn’t quite what we wanted, she takes it back . . . if it doesn’t work quite right, she take it back . . . if the person who asked her to buy it for them changes their mind . . . back it goes . . . no sweat. You gotta love a good return policy. I encountered another one in Isaiah this morning . . .

“I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isa. 44:22)

I own the God of Israel’s words to Jacob this morning as my own. His is a return policy like no other . . . I have blotted out your sin . . . I have redeemed you . . . return to me.

The basis for the “policy” came through loud and clear in my reading in Hebrews 10 this morning . . . “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (10:10) . . . this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God (10:12) . . . For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (10:14) . . . ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,’ then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more’ (10:16-17)”.

Talk about your “no hassle” return policy! Not that it wasn’t without cost . . . not that it can be exercised carelessly or thoughtlessly . . . but, for those who wish to return, the way has been prepared. For those who hear His voice . . . acknowledge their sin . . . recognize they’re headed in the wrong direction . . . the Lord’s invitation awaits, “Return to Me.” And while this is true of the sinner who has never known salvation, I’m reminded this morning it’s also so true for believers like me who, from time to time, get a bit off course and find too the need to return.

There’s something about knowing there’s a way back . . . it’s not the basis for presumption and license and playing loose with the call of God on my life, but it is the assurance that, should I find myself in need of a return . . . should I have tripped up in a fault . . . should I have misaligned my internal GPS with other priorities . . . should I have edged Him off the throne of my life . . . that there is an open, unrestricted way of return. Kept open by the God who desires to love me to the uttermost . . . mediated through the work of His Son, my faithful High Priest . . . . . . accessible through the agency of the Spirit within me who prays on my behalf even when I don’t know the words to pray. You gotta love a good return policy!

It was secured by the One who endured the shame, pain, and penalty of my sin upon a cruel cross . He being the once for all sacrifice for sin. His, the once for all shedding of blood that opened the way into the Holy of Holies . . . the once for all act of love that points to the way back. Mine is not to take it lightly . . . or to take it for granted . . . but to know it is available if and when needed . . . that there is always a way of return . . . that He ever calls out to the wayward, “Return to Me.”

What a return policy! Praise God! . . . amen?

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Behold My Servant!

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Pete

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, my Elect One in whom My soul delights!” (Isa. 42:1) So began my readings this morning . . . such was the tone set for my encounter with God’s Son through God’s Holy Word . . . not a bad way to start the day.

He is God’s Elect . . . the Father’s blessed Son come as His faithful Servant. He is the gentle Jesus . . . not crying out in the street . . . “a bruised reed He will not break . . . and smoking flax He will not quench” (42:3). Jehovah God had called Him forth in righteousness and sent Him in service to a hostile “mission field” with the promise that God would “hold His hand” and would uphold Him through the work He was to accomplish . . . determined that He would present His servant as a “covenant to the people” (42:6).

He has sent His Servant that I might know my God . . . and believe in and understand the nature of the Almighty . . . knowing that apart from God, and His blessed Servant, there is no savior (43:10-11). That He is my Lord, my Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (43:14) . . . that He is the Lord, the Holy One, the Creator of Israel, my King (43:15) . . . that it is He, who by grace and through the Servant’s work, has provided the means by which He can blot out my transgressions for His own sake, determining to not remember my sins anymore (43:25).

And, after beholding the Servant through the writings of the ancient prophet, I then read in the letter to the Hebrews and there continue to behold His Servant . . .

The One who, with His own blood, “entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12) . . . “who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God” in order to purify not just the outside but to cleanse my conscience — my inner man . . . the very essence of how I am wired and operate — to cleanse me from the inside out in order to serve the living God (9:14). Behold the Servant . . . “He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death . . . that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance (9:15) . . . He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (9:26) . . . “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (9:28a) . . . Behold the Servant . . . Behold your salvation!

Is there a more glorious theme? . . . a more magnificent contemplation? . . . than to heed God’s call to look upon His Son . . . His Servant . . . the Sacrifice . . . the Savior.

And so, I try and pause and reflect . . . I marvel afresh at the Christ . . . I’m humbled anew at the work He completed because of my sin . . . and I whisper, “Thank You, Lord.” Behold the Servant!

And then I read this, “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (9:28b)

He will appear a second time . . . and we will again Behold the Servant. But it will not be the lowly Jesus I see . . . it will not be Him who divested Himself of His heavenly glory in order to take on flesh and enter into the struggle of sin and a fallen world. No, this second time He will come in all His glory . . . as King of kings and Lord of lords . . . to complete the work of salvation . . . not through shedding of blood again . . . but through the wielding of a victor’s sword as He puts down the enemy, and sin, and death once and for all. And I shall behold Him.

And who knows, perhaps the “beholding by faith” I enjoy this morning may, by day’s end, be a beholding “face to face.” Am I part of that company that “eagerly wait for Him?” How I desire to be. That His Spirit within me would awaken me to the possibility of His return today . . . that I would live in a constant anticipation of the completion of my salvation . . . that I might have an eye to the sky . . . ready to see the Savior . . . ready to “Behold My Servant!”

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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!

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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.

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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?

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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 . . . )

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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!”

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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!

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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!!!

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