Enjoyable Coursework!

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Pete

My daughter has been taking a course at college which has her pretty jazzed. Last night at the dinner table, as she’s done on a number of occasions before, she was relating to us different things she had learned that day about the mysteries of the ocean and the creatures that inhabit it. And it was more than just regurgitating a bunch of facts . . . no, as she spoke, you could hear an excitement in her voice and could see in her face the wonder and fascination her learning evoked. You can tell that this is more than just another class . . . more than just coursework to be completed in support of a GPA . . . this is something that she’s enjoying learning . . . the discovery bringing a certain delight . . . the more she learns, the more she wants to know. The Psalmist knew the same experience . . .

“The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” (Psalm 111:2)

Or, as Peterson puts it in The Message, “GOD’s works are so great, worth a lifetime of study–endless enjoyment!”

The works of God . . . from creation . . . to salvation . . . to eternal glorification. The “levels of study” surrounding the subject of the works of God are extensive . . . so extensive, once you enroll you have a lifetime curriculum before you . . . and that’s the just the “entry level” stuff . . . the subject matter is such that it can, and will, be explored for eternity . . . never ceasing to bring joy to the learner. Talk about enjoyable coursework!

When, by God’s grace and the Spirit’s work, the “material” goes from being studied as a “discipline” to being studied as a source of delight . . . when it becomes more than just “facts and data” and, instead, feeds the inner man and energizes the soul . . . when it isn’t just the “old, old, story” but it becomes the words of life . . . then, that’s when it starts getting pretty exciting . . . and kinda’ fun!

The ocean my daughter is so fascinated with is the work of God. The wonders of their depths were designed and architected by His creative power. But they are only “a teaser” . . . pointing to a greater set of works accomplished on behalf of men with eternal consequences. The Psalmist goes on to declare, “His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever . . . He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and full of compassion . . . The works of His hands are verity and justice . . . He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name” (Ps. 111:3,4,7,9).

You study the works of God and you can’t help but get a bit jazzed. You meditate on His wonders and it’s not long before joy starts to surface. You consider again and again His acts on behalf of men . . . recognizing the grace shown, not just to all men and women but to you specifically, and the delight-o-meter starts to go crazy. This is a form of pleasure-seeking that is God ordained, God fed, and God glorifying.

The works of God are great . . . from the wonders of the ocean’s operation and the life it sustains to the grace shown at Calvary where Jesus exchanged His life for ours. The works of God are great . . . from the mysteries of the universe to the mystery of God’s Spirit working in us to make us more like His Son. The works of God are great . . . from the sustaining power of His grace through trial and testing to the place He is, even now, preparing for us — a place where sorrow, tears, and death are no more.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1Cor. 2:9-10a). That’s our coursework . . . that’s our subject of study . . . that’s our “major.” And when we pursue it? . . . Delight . . . Enjoyment . . . Pleasure . . . so much to talk about and glory in around the dinner table.

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Michal

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Pete

She’s a bit of a tragic figure. Life started off pretty good. Born a king’s daughter . . . falls in love with a young military up-and-comer in her father’s army . . . and this young guy was kinda crazy about her too — killing 200 of the enemy’s men as the price for her hand in marriage (1Sam. 18:27). But then things started going south . . .

Her husband and her father, the king, had a falling out — actually it was her father who kind of went off the deep-end, driven by pride, exerting his will and ways above God’s, developing an intense jealousy and hatred for her husband who, in stark contrast, was a man after God’s own heart. One night, her father sent some assassins to take out her husband and she helped him escape (1Sam. 19:12-17). This ticked her father off! So, with her husband on the run, and her father estranged from her, she was then given to another man to be his wife (1Sam. 25:44). Talk about life getting complicated.

Then her dad and brothers are killed in battle . . . and her first husband is made king. And although her first husband has picked up a couple of more wives along the way, he insists that she be torn away from the man who loves her now and forces her to come back to be his wife again. Getting a bit confusing? . . . for me too! Such was the life of Saul’s fifth child, his youngest daughter, Michal.

But with all the dysfunction and tragedy in her life, it’s probably what I read about her this morning which I find the most tragic.

David, the love of her youth, the up-and-comer who loved her once to extremes, the king over all Israel, is bringing up to Jerusalem “the ark of God, who name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim” (2Sam. 6:2). There is tremendous joy in the city as the dwelling place of the glory of God is being brought into their midst. There is music . . . there is singing . . . there is dancing . . . there is David at the front of it all. But Michal is not there . . . she’s in the royal residence watching from a window . . . and, as she watches the procession before the ark, and she sees King David “leaping and whirling before the Lord” . . . “she despised him in her heart” (2Sam. 6:16). She thought he had made a fool of himself . . . he had put off his royal garments . . . he danced with the servants . . . she thought it was behavior beneath a king. And so, instead of entering into the joy of God’s presence . . . instead of embracing the fellowship of praise and worship . . . she focused on the king and held him in contempt for the manner in which he humbled himself. That, to me, is the most tragic part of Michal’s life.

I’m not sitting in judgment of Michal. She was the daughter of a self-absorbed king, probably a few “pride genes” naturally woven into her DNA. And, she was also the victim of a ton of circumstance that quite imaginably left a bit of a root of bitterness in her heart as well. Pride . . . bitterness . . . and whatever else, prevented her from entering into the joy of the Lord. Almost everything in her life disappointed . . . and then, when the one thing that would never disappoint, the Presence of God, was made available, she missed it . . . was distracted by her perception of “conduct unbefitting a king” . . . and rather than the healing balm of joy touching her heart, instead, contempt was added to her pride and bitterness. “Therefore,” the Scripture says, “Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death” (1Sam. 6:23). Having rejected the joy of God’s presence, she lived out her life absent His favor, as well. Like I said, she’s a bit of a tragic figure.

Not sure what to do with these thoughts. My heart goes out to the Michals . . . those whose life has been one struggle after another . . . who have known one disappointment after another . . . infected by bitterness . . . anesthetized by a sense of despair . . . hardened by pride and a “me first” focus. But, what I do know, is that at some point, the Presence of God offers to come into their lives. There will be opportunities to trade sorrow for joy . . . to trade disappointment for the promises of God which never fail . . . to trade lament for worship . . . to take eyes off of self and direct them to the One who loves them so much He sent His Son to die for their redemption.

Oh, that we might not become Michals . . . but that we would emulate, instead, the spirit of David . . . rejoicing in the Presence of the Lord . . . making music in our hearts with praise on our lips . . . willing to become “undignified” . . . to humble ourselves in our own eyes . . . that He might be worshiped in the beauty of holiness . . . for our blessing . . . for His glory . . . for eternity . . . amen!

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Paradise U

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Pete

Let’s face it . . . for some, the university they graduated from is a pretty big deal. To be able to throw out phrases like “Harvard grad” or “Yale grad” as part of a resume is worn as a badge of honor for some. And it’s not just the Ivy League schools . . . around here, being a Cougar or a Husky can be a pretty important identifier for some. And, I’m guessing it’s not just about the education, but about the school’s reputation . . . whether that reputation is attached to a sports team, or some distinctive academic prestige, you find a fair number of folks well past “college age” still talking about “their school.” So did Paul . . .

“I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know–only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to Paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” (2Corinthians 12:2-4 NLT).

Paul did his graduate studies at GRSP, Gamaliel’s Rabbinical School of Phariseeism (Acts 22:3). There he learned the in’s and out’s of the law and the traditions of the religious elite. But his post-graduate studies . . . they occurred in a school that is out of this world . . . literally! Recruited by Jesus Himself, Paul was sent on a crash course concerning the mysteries of Messiah, and the grandeur of grace. He was welcomed into the faculty by Jesus Himself as he trekked down a self-determined road of persecution . . . and from the get go, the schooling started happening . . . “Who are You, Lord?” . . . “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” . . . lesson one complete (Acts 9:5) . . . let’s move on . . . or should I say, let’s move up!

After being saved, instead of sending him to the apostles for instruction, the Lord instead sent Paul to Arabia . . . apparently for some “alone time” and some One-on-one tutoring . . . it would be three years before Paul went to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles (Gal. 1:16-18) . . . mmm . . . three years with Jesus . . . sounds familiar . . .

And at some point during those three years, Paul’s “studies” took him to Paradise U located on a beautiful campus just past the Milky Way at the corner of Third Heaven and Eternity. So what was that like? We really don’t know . . . cause, Paul says, it was inexpressible. It was so un-earthly that Paul wasn’t sure whether or not he was there “in body” or whether it was an “out of body” experience. The words he heard . . . the teachings he experienced . . . couldn’t be conveyed in the languages of earth . . . the sort of “close encounter” that was better “felt than tell’t”. But whatever the curriculum . . . however the course material was presented . . . whoever or whatever comprised the teaching faculty . . . this alum of Paradise U was never the same again.

I don’t have much post-secondary education, but I’ve been accepted into Paradise U as well. A seat has been reserved, my name’s written in the Book. And what never ceases to amaze me, is that I never even applied . . . actually, didn’t really know the place even existed . . . instead, I was recruited. Where am I staying? In residence . . . a place that Jesus says He’s gone to prepare for me (John 14:3). Tuition? Paid in full . . . and now, I’m laying up treasures that I’ll be able to draw on when I’m there . . . and that’s in addition to the inheritance reserved for me by my Benefactor, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away (1Peter 1:4). And when I’m there, I too will hear and learn things which are unspeakable . . . mysteries revealed as I receive my “higher education.”

But as much as the thought of being at Paradise U excites me and fills me with wonder, what I’m looking forward to more than anything else is to meeting the Headmaster and His Father. I can only imagine what it will be like to hear His words and to learn from Him directly. I know I’ll be distracted from time to time by the scars on His hands and feed . . . and I’ll probably interrupt class from time to time as I join the Third Heaven choral ensemble spontaneously declaring the praises of the Lamb . . . but I’m sure He’ll understand. Cant’ wait for classes to start . . . amen?

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A Day at the Breach!

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Pete

The picture is that of an ancient city under siege . . . the enemy is just outside the city walls. And he is hammering at the wall protecting the city . . . relentless . . . knowing that to just take out even a small part of the wall is sufficient to get some men on the inside and compromise the city from the inside out. And then it happens . . . first a crack . . . then a crumble . . . and finally a breakthrough. But, before the enemy can enter in through the opening, a warrior from the city covers with his body the broken part of the wall. He places himself in that perilous position . . . prepared to defend that bit of open real estate . . . determined to repel the enemies attack and protect the city. He fills the gap . . . places himself in “the breaking” . . . he stands in the breach.

I’m reading Psalm 106 this morning, and it pretty much doesn’t matter which translation you read, they all talk of Moses as that warrior . . . as the one stepping into perilous position. Moses, the chosen one of God, stood before God in the breach (Psalm 106:23). Moses defended the Israelites. But he wasn’t repelling the attacks of the enemy . . . instead he staved off the wrath of God.

Psalm 106 calls for praise and thanksgiving in remembrance of God’s continual forgiveness for Israel’s sin. Again and again it recounts Israel’s moral and spiritual failings . . . their complacency . . . their rebellion . . . their overt spiritual harlotry. And, again and again, they are reminded of God’s mercy and forgiveness. And one of the accounts recorded is that of the golden calf at Horeb and the people’s worship of the molded image . . . “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass” (106:20 ESV). And God who declares, “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images” (Isa. 42:8), was determined to destroy the people for their rebellion and blasphemy.

The wall was breached . . . but from the inside out. Perhaps there was some external enemy force at work seeking to destroy, but the infrastructure was compromised by those who should have gloried in the One who had placed them behind His wall of protection. Instead, the people breached the wall . . . their sin had compromised their protection . . . and God’s holy and just wrath was focused on entering and executing judgment. But then a man of God — a man ordained of Jehovah to deliver His people — stands in the breach. He places Himself in the gap and pleads for the people, seeking to turn away God’s wrath, lest He destroy them. And Moses, that man, is such a beautiful picture of another Mighty Warrior, . . . Jesus, the Son of Man.

O’ precious Jesus . . . the One in Whom the Father delights . . . the Fairest of Ten Thousand . . . King of kings and Lord of lords . . . was the Mighty Warrior of God who determined to stand in the breach for mankind. And, getting a bit more personal, He determined to fill the gap and take up the perilous position for this man. Sent by God to redeem and deliver all those who would come to Him by faith, He willingly placed Himself in that spot where the wrath of God would be poured out. He who knew no sin became sin for me as He stood . . . no, as He hung in the breach and looked out through the ages and, seeing me, cried out, “Father, forgive him for he doesn’t not know what he’s doing” (Luke 23:34).

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever!” (Ps. 106:1)

And the blood shed on that cross two thousand years ago . . . the full payment for redemption secured during those hours when the precious Son of God was forsaken of the Father as He bore my sin . . . is sufficient to cleanse me from all sin — past, present, and future. The breach has been filled forever . . . the work is finished . . . the city is secure . . . the victory is mine through Christ.

“Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” (Ps. 106:48)

Amen! . . . what a glorious day at the breach!!!

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The Vulnerabilities of the Master

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Pete

Paul was in a battle . . . not so much a battle for himself, but a battle for the hearts of those who were being drawn away from the things of Christ. The enemy were a group of fake apostles . . . those who came as messengers of God, but who corrupted the gospel of God as they preached “another Jesus.” Their battlefield was the mind of the Corinthian believers . . . their goal, secure their hearts and their following . . . their tactic, discredit Paul. All this sets up 2Corinthians to be less “theological” and more emotional. As Paul contends for their faithfulness to Christ, he is forced to talk about himself . . . laying open his heart . . . his motivations . . . his compassion for these precious believers . . . his pleading for their fidelity to the way of the gospel.

One of Paul’s “vulnerabilities”, apparently, is that, although his letters were bold, when he was present with the Corinthians he was “lowly among you” (2Cor. 10:1). He was timid, literally he was “truly not rising far from the ground.” The fake apostles on the other hand, were bold and confident and boastful. They were charismatic, their very presence commanding a respect, their arrogant speech demanding others follow them. In some ways, they were the Goliaths and Paul was David. In fact, Paul sounds somewhat like David when he declares, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (10:4).

And what grabs me deeply this morning is the fact that Paul’s lowliness wasn’t a “character fault” . . . it wasn’t some “natural trait” that he had to combat to overcome . . . it wasn’t some “genetic thing” that he needed to compensate for by attending assertiveness training. No, in fact, if you think about it, Paul was very much naturally wired to kick some keester. This is Paul who was once Saul . . . Pharisee of the Pharisees . . . the one aggressively defended Judaism and it’s religious tenets and practices . . . defend it to the point of hunting down those of “the Way” and throwing them in prison and consenting to their execution. No, I think Paul’s lowliness was the result of sanctification . . . it was the fruit of being conformed to the image of Christ . . . it was the servant reflecting the Master . . . the disciple taking on the character of the Teacher. Check out Paul’s plea to the Corinthians . . .

“Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ . . . ” (2Corinthians 10:1)

That’s the phrase that recaptured my heart this morning, “the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” That’s my Savior . . . that’s my experience with Him . . . that’s the heart He has revealed to me. I read these words and immediately the prophet Isaiah’s words come to mind, “Behold my Servant, whom I uphold,my Chosen, in whom My soul delights; I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” (Isa. 43:1-3 ESV).

That’s my Savior . . . meek and gentle . . . tearing down strongholds not with legions of angels, but with His death on the cross . . . proclaiming victory not with a voice from heaven but with a cry upon a tree, “It is finished!” Knees bowing to Him in worship and service not because He commands it and has forced it upon others, but because He has gently wooed souls to Himself . . . with meekness and patience drawing men’s hearts toward the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Oh, that I might more and more take on the “vulnerabilities” of the Master. That I might be like Him . . . emulating divine meekness and gentleness . . . truly not rising far from the ground . . . and that, in the hands of the mighty Spirit of God, I might be used in some manner and measure to further His kingdom . . . for His glory . . . amen.

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Leaving a Big Tip

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Pete

I really don’t think there’s anyway around it . . . if anybody should be generous, it should be Christians. If there’s anyone who should give freely, it should those who have received freely. If there’s anyone who should be willing to go the extra mile to meet a need, it should be that person who knows how far God went to meet their greatest need.

A few months back I listened to a podcast by Mark Driscoll . . . and he had, on occasion, gone into restaurants his congregation has visited after a Sunday morning and asked how much they had tipped their waiters or waitresses. If they had been cheap, he said that he’d make up the difference. His point . . . literally putting his money where his mouth is . . . Christians should be generous.

You read 2Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 and you can’t escape that conclusion. Just as we have been graced . . . we are to grace others. “But as you abound in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love of us–see that you abound in this grace also . . . For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2Cor. 8:7,9)

We are to be givers because of what has been given to us. I’m not talking about counting out our 10 percent, or whatever, on Sunday mornings and putting it in the offering. I’m talking about doing life as a giver. And it’s not about how much . . . but about where from . . . “For if there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2Cor. 8:12). There’s a mindset . . . a fundamental life perspective that says, “I’ve been graced so much, how can I not grace in return?” And it’s not about going broke . . . not about going in debt . . . not about giving what you can’t afford . . . God’s not impressed with amount . . . but, it’s all about the spirit behind the gift . . . the attitude driving the deed. What really captured me this morning was Paul saying that is should be “a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation” (2Cor. 9:5b).

There it is . . . the two ends of the spectrum . . . the two places where giving can come from . . . from generosity or from grudging obligation. And as I probed a bit deeper at these two sides of the giving coin I was a somewhat surprised . . . and somewhat impacted . . . by the original language behind this English translation . . .

It is to be a matter of eulogia and not a matter of pleonexia . . . a matter of praise or blessing and not a matter of covetousness.

Kind of makes sense, huh? Generosity is rooted in blessing another . . . in the believer’s case, it’s an act of double blessing or double praise as we bless the one who receives our gift and we bless the One who has first graced us as we give in His name. And it’s not really even about whether or not the recipient “deserves” the gift . . . it’s about recognizing the “exceeding grace of God in you” and operating from a place of thanksgiving towards the Lord for “His indescribable gift” (2Cor. 9:14-15). We grace others because we have been graced . . . our generosity stems from wanting to bless others . . . no strings attached . . . just because we have been blessed.

To not be generous, to give out of “grudging obligation”, is really about being covetous . . . about wanting more . . . holding on to that which we have ’cause it’s ours. I usually think about coveting as wanting what someone else has . . . but here, it’s coveting what is already in my pocket . . . greedy for what I already posses. But what do I have that God didn’t give me? Paul also says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2Cor. 9:8).

His grace is shown to me . . . He cares for me making sure I have what I need . . . and that includes abundance of every good work . . . the means to bless in His name. Not about how much I give . . . but about how freely I give — even if it’s just a little. It’s about how much the blessing I’ve received is manifest in the desire to bless others. It’s about gracing for God because I’ve been so grace by God . . . it’s about leaving a big tip . . . amen?

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Creator-Sized Compassion

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Pete

I love hanging out over Psalm 103! Talk about your “pick me up.” If you’re not blessing the Lord before you start in on the Psalm, it’s pretty hard not to be by the time you’re done. It is jam-packed with good stuff. Good stuff about my God . . . good stuff about my salvation . . . glory and grace dominate! The glory of God, revealed to Moses in Exodus 33 and 34, again shines forth: “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever” (103:9). And the grace of God runs rampant throughout David’s song: “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities (103:10) . . . As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (103:12) . . . the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting” (103:17).

And, almost hidden in the grandeur of this “bless the Lord, O my soul” symphony of praise is a well known, but perhaps not so much thought about, factoid concerning the glorious God of grace and we who are recipients of that that grace . . .

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:13-14)

Over the past several weeks, the idea of knowing God has been forefront. I preached on it a few weeks ago and our pastor has been taking a deep dive into Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 considering what it means to be given “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better” (Eph. 1:17b NIV). But this morning, I am a bit overwhelmed to consider again how much my God knows me. He is intimately familiar with how I am wired. He knows me inside and out. And, far from shaking His head in disappointment or throwing up His hands in frustration — which, at times, I think He has every right to do — He, instead, looks upon me with heavenly, Creator-sized compassion.

Although I am truly “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 13:14) . . . despite the fact that the human body cries out of a Creator . . . regardless that its inner-workings can be the subject of lifelong study . . . the bottom line is that I’m still made of natural material. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gen. 1:27). The framework sitting in this chair is but flesh and blood . . . a natural body. To be sure. it has its own glory yet, that it is but a terrestrial glory . . . glory that is subject to corruption and weakness (1Cor. 15:40-44). Dust based glory . . . at best, formed into jars of clay (2Cor. 4:7). And my God knows this full well. He knows that while the spirit may be willing, the flesh so often is weak (Matt. 26:41). He knows that way too often the things I want to do I don’t do . . . and the things I don’t want to do I find myself doing (Rom. 7:15). He knows the struggles . . . He sees the weariness . . . He’s not surprised by the trips and falls.

And His response? Compassion. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord shows compassion for those who love Him. It is the heart of tender affection . . . the deep love of the parent who is faithfully and unconditionally committed to rearing and caring for their child. Sometimes you just need to sit back in your chair . . . bow your head . . . lift your soul . . . and say, “Father, thank You that you know me . . . that You really know me . . . and that You still love me . . . Your heart is stirred with deep affection . . . Your grace abounds . . . Your love is still shed upon me when I’m feeling not very lovable. You know my frame . . . You remember I am dust . . . but Your mercies, O Lord, are from everlasting to everlasting.”

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (103:1)

Praise God for Creator-sized compassion! Amen?

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It’s In the Gene Pool

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Pete
 
So . . . I’m guessing that if I asked most people familiar with the Scripture who was the wisest man in the Bible, apart from the Lord Himself, they’d answer Solomon.  Right answer.  But something that jumped out at me this morning, while reading 1Samuel 18, reminds me that it’s not like he didn’t have any “natural material” to work with.  It’s not like his dad was some doofus . . . Solomon, blessed and graced by God, also had this wisdom thing in his gene pool.

Now this is one of those observations that you really won’t pick up apart from reading the NKJV . . . but even that’s interesting . . . we’ll touch on that too. Here’s the observation: four times in 1Samuel 18 I read in my NKJV Bible that David “behaved wisely”.

“So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. (18:5) . . . And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him. (18:14) . . . Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. (18:15) . . . Then the princes of the Philistines went out to war. And so it was, whenever they went out, that David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed. (18:30).”

Literally the Hebrew word means “to be prudent . . . to be circumspect . . . to have insight . . . to give attention to . . . to consider . . . to ponder” . . . you get the idea. David was thoughtful. He saw more than just the task at hand . . . he saw the big picture. In all his ways, he viewed life’s vista from a God vantage point. The living God through the living Spirit of God was upon David and with David and so, David leveraged a divine perspective in all he undertook. He sifted life’s happenings through a God-informed filter. David was a wise man . . . Solomon was the wisest of men . . . it was in the gene pool.

Now, if you read these verses in almost any other translation, rather than “behaved wisely” you’ll find this Hebrew word translated “more successful” or “more prosperous”. Apparently, that’s a fair translation as well. And, as you think about it, that the two English phrases can come from the same root makes sense. Behaving wisely . . . living life skillfully . . . acting with keen spiritual insight . . . will result in a person’s way being prosperous. Shouldn’t we expect that doing God’s work in God’s way will result in God’s blessing? I’m thinking so. To be clear, we’re not talking about a life-path cleared of trial and trouble . . . that certainly wasn’t David’s experience. While David is behaving wisely and greatly succeeding, he also has the king, his future father-in-law, out trying to skewer him with a spear (18:11-12). His troubles with Saul are only starting . . . soon he will be like an animal on the run being stalked as prey by the most powerful man in Israel. Behaving wisely . . . prospering greatly . . . doesn’t mean “no worries” . . . it isn’t mutually exclusive of “no problems”. But it does mean doing the will of God with the mind of God . . . a thoughtful approach to that which we’ll encounter this day . . . and, as such, going forward in the will of God and being successful in dealing with the events of the day.

I read of David “behaving wisely” and I long to do the same. I want to have a heavenly perspective on these earthly circumstances. I long for a divine perspective that puts the “here and now” in the context of the “there and then.” And really, the prospering part, that’s to be left to the grace and goodness of God . . . I just want to think in a way that pleases Him.

But can I really aspire to that? Is it really possible? I’m thinking so . . . “For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1Cor. 2:16) . . . it’s in my gene pool.

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Cleaning House

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Pete

Clean house . . . that’s what we do at some point on most Sunday afternoons. Why? Because our bible study group meets at our place early Sunday evenings. Yeah, but that doesn’t really answer the question . . . all we really need to do to host the bible study group is to open the door when they arrive . . . so why tidy up before they get there? I’m guessing at least a couple of things are at play . . . first, there’s something about putting forward your best foot — not about being fake, not about trying to impress, but about presenting in the manner in which you want to be seen. But, I also think there’s is something about wanting our guests to know that we’re honored to host them . . . that we want them to know that we have anticipated their coming and made a bit of preparation for them. In one way, it’s a means of saying, “Welcome. We’ve been expecting you. We’re glad you’re here.” So why am I thinking about cleaning house? It’s something I read this morning in 2Corinthians:

“For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. . . . I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” — 2Cor. 6:16-7:1

Paul reminds these believers that they are God’s sanctuary . . . His Holy Place . . . His Holy of Holies . . . that earthly residence in which He desires to dwell. God, through His Holy Spirit, has moved in . . . determining to house His glory in the temple of people . . . those bought with the blood of Christ. His desire and His promise is that He will dwell in us . . . that He will walk among us . . . that He will be to us a Father . . . that He will adopt us as sons and daughters. These are the great and precious promises of God. And so, says Paul, in light of these great truths, be sure to clean house.

We need to “tidy up” every so often. Assuming we are not living in open rebellion and pre-meditated disobedience . . . assuming that we wake up every morning wanting to walk in a manner worthy of our calling . . . I think we still need to look around the old place every once in awhile with a sanctified eye and do a bit of clean up. For me, at least, it can be kind of easy to get used to living with the clutter . . . to kick some of the dust under the carpet and forget about it . . . to hide stuff behind other stuff so that it’s “outta’ sight outta’ mind.”

But really, it’s not my house . . . it is the Residence of God . . . the place He desires to dwell . . . the venue where He seeks to make known His presence. And there’s something about clutter . . . and junk . . . and filth . . . that impedes His ability to feel welcome . . . the sends a wrong message about how honored I am to have been chosen to be part of His special people . . . that welcomes Him to “my home”.

It’s not that I’m trying to self-manufacture holiness . . . not that I’m trying to merit His presence by how clean I can make things . . . no, it’s only by the blood of Christ and through faith in His Son’s work on the cross that this house which was “condemned” has been given an “occupancy permit” for the God of Grace. So while it’s not about tidying up so that I merit His presence . . . it is about making the effort, as much as lies within me, to do my part in cleaning house. He transforms the house . . . mine is to keep the dirt out . . . to throw out the junk . . . to seek to present His dwelling place to Him without clutter . . . in a state that says, “I care that You want to live here. I want to welcome You with Your grace enabled holiness. I want You to know that Your Presence is desired and honored and I will do what I am able to, in order to convey my heart’s longing for You to be here.”

Cleaning house . . . driven by a desire for the presence of God . . . enabled by the grace of God . . . undertaken for the glory of God . . . amen!

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The Great Exchange

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Pete

Men’s retreat starts tomorrow night. About 30 of us will head to a house at Ocean Shores and cram into it for some “close fellowship” . . . a bit of fun . . . and too much food. I’ll have the privilege of leading the Friday night session . . . not really preaching or teaching . . . but leading. Anticipating an extended time of walking through Psalm 22 together and ending up breaking bread in remembrance of Him . . . a bit of a throw back to my spiritual heritage and my days in a “Plymouth Brethren” assembly. I’m looking forward to it. So, I’ve been going over Psalm 22 a few times over the past couple of weeks and I think that’s at least part of why 2Corinthians 5:21 jumped off the page this morning . . .

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2Cor. 5:21

That is the Great Exchange! That is the heart of reconciliation.

God who is holy, holy, holy . . . so loved me, who is not . . . that He determined to satisfy the demands of a just God through the exchange of His Son. Sin demands payment . . . the wages of sin is death . . . atonement is required . . . and I was bankrupt. I had run up the debt of sin . . . but I had nothing to pay it with. Enter the Great Exchange.

God determined to provide a means of reconciliation . . . to bring together two parties separated by a vast expanse. His initiative . . . and at His cost. He made His Son to be sin who knew no sin. Amazing! Jesus the Christ . . . the image of the invisible God . . . God with us . . . God in flesh . . . the Creator and Sustainer of all things . . . who Himself was holy, holy, holy . . . without spot or blemish . . . sinless . . . became sin for me. What was that?!? How can I enter into all that means? What was at the depths of His cry on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” What did it mean for Him to be made sin? Beyond the physical death, what spiritual transaction took place such that the just judgment of God was satisfied for all men’s sins for all time? Questions beyond my full comprehension . . . but this I know . . . He who knew no sin, was made to be sin for me.

This too I know, I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. The payment fully paid at Calvary, I have been declared righteous before God. The Great Exchange was His life for my sin resulting in my righteousness in Him. I am “in Christ” . . . oh, glorious thought . . . oh, glorious position. Though so aware of my failings and frailties, I sit here this morning in complete assurance and confidence that through His sacrifice, and in Him, I am “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (5:17). And this confidence is not in anything I have done . . . or am currently doing . . . or hope to do in the future . . . it rests solely on the fact that, concerning my salvation, “all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” (5:18).

Perhaps not particularly new or original thoughts . . . but tell me again the old, old, story. It is the gospel, the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). Not new thoughts, but what amazing truth . . . that He who knew no sin would become sin for us . . . that by His grace and through our feeble faith — even that is a gift from God — we have been given the righteousness of God in His Son.

Praise God for the Great Exchange! Looking forward to tomorrow night . . .

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