My Shield, My Reward

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Pete

Ok . . . so there . . . he had gone and done it now. No more living “below the radar” in this foreign land. No more just blending in with the scenery. Abram had clearly shown himself to his neighbors. He had rescued Lot, and he had made some enemies . . . and not just any enemies . . . but powerful, king-type enemies (Gen. 14:1-17). In addition, the one king who he might have become an ally with, he may have insulted by not taking payment from him for defeating the other marauding royalty (Gen. 14:21-24). And so, I kind of imagine Abram at some point after the adrenalin rush of battle, alone with his thoughts. And, as he goes over in his mind all that has just happened, his heart starts racing again . . . maybe a bit of panic sets in, as he thinks, “What have I done? They’ll be back, those kings, and will be seeking revenge. The king of Sodom with think me an ingrate and not lift a finger to help me. I’ve put everything at risk. What have I done?”

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’ ” — Genesis 15.1

Those are the words that caused me to pause this morning. Apparently, this is the first mention of “the word of the Lord” coming to someone. The fact that it is in “a vision” has some believing that it is the Word of the Lord, the Second Person of the Trinity. Regardless of how God exactly “called this audible” with Abram, the message is one of supreme comfort and assurance. Do not be afraid . . . I am your shield . . . I am your beyond measure reward.

For the believer, how much of dealing with life’s “panic attacks” is the reminder of who God is and that He has, in His Sovereign purposes, chosen to have relationship with us. As such, we need not fear . . . for He is our shield. He is our protection. He is our defense. We might engage in the fight, but the battle is the Lord’s. We might go toe-to-toe with enemies but really it’s not by our might, nor our strength, but by the Spirit of the living God within us (Zech. 4:6). Sometimes we’re too weak to even lift engage the enemy . . . and then, He stands in the breach and by His grace, and for His glory, He defends the defenseless . . . helps the helpless . . . gives strength to the weary. Do not be afraid, Abram . . . I am your shield.

And then, this word that comes to Abram in this vision, promises so much more. It would have been enough just to rest in His protection and salvation, but, he also promises great reward . . . and that reward is intrinsically interwoven with the “God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth” (Gen. 14:19, 22), Himself. That’s the prize . . . that’s the goal . . . that’s the reward . . . God, Himself. Everything else beyond that is just gravy. To be in relationship with God Most High is exceedingly great reward. Do not be afraid . . .

Abram was told that God’s promises were sure . . . that His blessings were beyond number . . . and Abram “believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to Him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). As Abram continued to talk with the Lord, his thoughts turned from “What have I done?” to “He can be trusted!” His panic subsided as the peace of God prevailed. Fear gave way to faith.

There would still be battles to be faced . . . mistakes to be made . . . more fear and panic to be experienced . . . but the bottom line is that Abram believed the Lord . . . His shield . . . His exceedingly great reward . . . and the rest, as they say, is history.

Father, thank You for the reminder this morning that in You is my reward. That knowing You is the treasure. That one day being with You is the prize. And that, until that day, You are my shield . . . my Protector . . . my peace. For Your glory, amen?

Posted in Genesis | 1 Comment

The Stones Cry Out

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Pete

I’m sitting on the brink of a new year, a new decade . . . and while you wonder about the future at such times . . . you also can’t help but think about the past. And what brings the past to mind this morning is the mention of Abraham in 3 of my 4 readings.

Not surprising that he’s in Genesis . . . he’s kind of a major player there. I never tire of reading the Lord’s wonderful promise to Abram, the one called of God to leave it all and go to a land that God would show him, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing . . . And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed . . . and I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered” (Gen. 12:2-3, 13:16).

And then, in my reading in Acts, Peter “drops” Abraham’s name as he preaches to those in the temple . . . quoting from Genesis . . . identifying the “how” of God’s promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham. That blessing would come through his seed . . . the promise would be fulfilled through a descendant of Abraham. Peter identifies the Seed clearly . . . God’s Servant Jesus (Acts 3:13,26) . . . the Author of Life (3:15) . . . a Prophet like Moses (3:22) . . . the One they had killed, choosing over Him a murderer to be released (3:14-15) . . . the One God raised from the dead (3:15, 26) . . . the One who had come to turn people away from their iniquities (3:26) . . . and, through His blood, blot out their sins (3:19). This Seed of Abraham was the “how” behind the promise.

Then, in Matthew also, Abraham’s name comes up. This time it’s John the baptizer calling out game-playing Pharisees, ” . . . and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Matthew 3:9). Abraham’s promised descendants, those who would number more than the dust of the earth, were not just those who would claim a genetic or national ancestry, but those who God would raise up . . . turning them from their sin . . . blotting out the debt owed . . . giving them new life . . . re-wiring their spiritual DNA . . . making them children of Abraham.

And, John said, God could do that out of stones, if He chose. And I say, “Uh, yeah . . . that would be me.”

I read that phrase this morning, “God is able to raise up children to Abraham from stones”, and am overwhelmed with a sense of fresh gratitude.

I’m reminded that the God of Abraham . . . the God of the promise . . . raised up a stone-hearted sinner like me to be a child of Abraham. By His grace He made me part of the fulfillment of that ancient promise. Patiently, He introduced me to the Author of Life . . . and, through the feeble exercising of the faith He graced me with, gave me new life in Him. I am one of those stones He made into a child of Abraham.

And with that reminder, with that “set up”, I was primed to enter into my final reading this morning in Psalm 5 . . . “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.” (Ps. 5:7).

The stones cry out the praises of God . . . the children of Abraham . . . the redeemed of the Lord. To Him be all praise and glory . . . amen!

Posted in Acts, Genesis, Matthew | Leave a comment

A Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Pete

It’s the stuff of motivational speakers . . . from mom to the executive coach . . . “There’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it!” Funny how things come to mind . . . as a kid I believed I was the fastest thing on two feet . . . I had the “blue ribbons” from “sports day” as evidence . . . I can see my mom at the finish line cheering me on . . . my aunt even called me “Speed” as a kid. Nothing but potential . . . pure potential in front of me, I thought. And that’s part of how God wired us, isn’t it? But what happens when that wiring is no longer submitted to the Master Builder’s direction . . .

I’m reading in Genesis 11 this morning . . . post flood by a few generations . . . and, from a human perspective, things are looking pretty good. The whole earth has one language and one speech (11:1) . . . a prevailing sense of unity . . . and a capability to design and build such that, somehow, collectively they decide to assert the power and glory of their humanity. They are going to build a city unlike any city every built . . . with a tower that will reach into the heavens . . . a testament of their power . . . of their capability and glory . . . of their determination to not lose the unity they had worked so hard for.

And God comes down to the city and sees the tower and says, “Look at that! They are all pulling together . . . they are able to share data easily through their common language . . . and this is what they begin to do. Build for themselves and unto themselves. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” (11:5-6). Not too surprising, after all. They were made in the image of God . . . the Creator of all things . . . the one who is a God of order . . . and, given enough time, order can be analyzed and decoded . . . nothing that can’t be done by people made in God’s image who share information and work towards a common purpose. Kind of explains the wonders of our technological world, doesn’t it? That which we know about genetics and how to manipulate them . . . it’s because we are made in the image of God . . . and have a common language. “There’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it!”

But . . . there was a problem . . . a big problem. This God-wired potential was governed by a humanistic agenda . . . the Creator had been excluded from the discovery of creation . . . the Sovereign had been de-throned and man was sitting where only God had the right to be. And so God says within the fellowship of the Trinity, “Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech” (11:7) . . . and “the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth” (11:9) And, for millennia now, man has been working his way back to a united community . . . a common language . . . and, as we’ve seen in our lifetime, the ability to achieve things that reflect again the image of God in them. But, tragically, without the authority of God guiding them, nor the wisdom of God indwelling them, this knowledge has really been beyond their ability to rightly handle in so many cases.

And so, I sit here this morning, considering the start of a new year and a new decade. There’s something about a new year that seeds hope of better things to come . . . that causes us to think about new beginnings . . . and new resolve . . . and turns the cup “half full” as we consider the potential. For many of us, we use the new year to believe again that “there’s nothing we can’t do if we set our minds to it.” O, but that we would put God in the center of all that potential . . . that He would have pre-eminence in all the plans . . . that all the resolutions would, at their essence, have the glory of God in mind.

Any potential we possess is because we are made in the image of God. Corrupted by sin and self, that potential is redeemed through faith in the work of Christ on the cross such that God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). Check that out . . . in Christ we posses the potential that comes from being showered with every spiritual blessing from heaven itself. That doesn’t come from a united mankind under a human directed agenda . . . that comes from being united with Christ . . . in His death . . . His burial . . . and, praise God, His resurrection.

You wanna talk about potential? You want to talk about possibilities? I’m not talking prosperity . . . not talking ease . . .not talking making a name for ourselves. But, if God is for us, who can be against us? Through Him who loved us to death, we are more than conquerors! (Rom. 8:31, 37)

O’, that He would be the source of our potential . . . that He would be the guide of our resolutions . . . that He would receive all glory from whatever we set our minds to. Then, it truly would be, regardless of circumstance, a Happy New Year! Amen?

Posted in Genesis | Leave a comment

Lifter of Mine Head

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Pete

One of the things I like the most about re-starting my reading plan is that it puts me back in the Psalms. Lord willing, between now and sometime in late July, I’ll have the joy of reading through these wonderful, God-inspired songs. From past experience, I anticipate identifying with the Psalmist in many cases as he pours out his heart before His God . . . as He exalts His God . . . as He praises and worships His God. I know that my experiences are different . . . and that maybe I’ll stretch the identification and application a bit . . . but there is a heart-to-heart connection with these pieces of poetry that stirs the soul and lifts the spirit.

For example, as I read Psalm 3 this morning, I know that I can’t really claim to identify with David as he wrote this. It says it was written “when he fled from Absalom his son.” What a mess that situation was! David’s firstborn son, Amnon, forces himself on his half-sister, Tamar, and then rejects her. Tamar’s brother, Absalom, Amnon’s half-brother, hates Amnon and eventually murders him. Absalom flees from David . . . David calls him home but essentially leaves him in exile . . . Absalom develops a hatred for his father . . . and successfully puts together a coup to oust David. Absalom has the throne . . . David is disgraced and on the run. Time to write a poem . . . queue Psalm 3 . . .

And though I can’t literally relate to David’s plight and circumstance, I find myself owning his words as mine . . . particularly verse 3 . . .

“But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.” – Psalm 3:3

Though David was on the run . . . though many were rising up against him . . . though they sought to convince him that God had abandoned him . . . David draws upon what he has known to be true . . . he affirms the reality of God’s hand upon his life. The Lord had been a shield . . . against lions and bears as he tended sheep . . . against an arrogant giant of a man . . . against thousands of enemy Philistines. God hadn’t changed . . . he was still his shield. The Lord was his glory . . . David may have had some talents, some capabilities, but it was the gracious, Sovereign hand of God that took from lowly shepherd to King of Israel. No room for David to boast . . . his glory was God’s glory. And, as the Old King James puts it, the Lord also was “the lifter of mine head.” It was He who had lifted him to the throne . . . He who had lifted his head in victory, time and again, over his enemies. The Lord was His shield, His glory, and the lifter of his head.

David knew this to be true . . . believed it with all his heart . . . and thus, drew upon it during this low, low time in his life. As such, he would cry to the Lord confident that God would hear him from His holy hill (v.4). He could lay down at night able to sleep, for the Lord sustained him (v.5). He would not be afraid, for he knew that ultimately his salvation belonged to the Lord . . . that God had promised blessings upon His people (v. 6-8).

And though I haven’t known David’s experience specifically, I have found myself at times feeling somewhat overwhelmed by circumstance. Felt a bit on the run . . . kind of desperate . . . somewhat alone and maybe a bit confused. And, it seems to me, those are good times to look back . . . and recall God’s protection over me in the past — He is a shield for me. To take a few moments and think of how God has used me for his purposes and remember that it was all because of Him — He is my glory. To pause and consider yesterday’s triumphs and reaffirm that it was He who led the way in those victories — He is the lifter of mine head.

Oh, what a Savior . . . what a Comforter . . . what an Advocate . . . what a God.

You, O Lord, are the lifter of mine head . . . by Your grace enable me to continue to trust and to rest in You . . . for Your glory . . . amen!

Posted in Psalms | Leave a comment

First Mention of Sin

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Pete

I’ve been taught to pay particular attention to the book of Genesis. It’s the book of beginnings . . . the book of foundations . . . the book of “first mention.” I’ve been told to take note of when something is first mentioned in the Bible . . . when a word or term is first used . . . this introductory use is often filled with foundational instruction and understanding. And, though I probably would just as soon consider something else this morning, I’m spending a bit of time considering the “first mention” of sin.

Now sin is apparent in Genesis 3 . . . the serpent sowing seeds of doubt as to whether “God has indeed said” (3:1) . . . the serpent contradicting God and appealing to Eve’s vanity and pride (3:4-5) . . . Eve eating . . . Adam eating . . . it’s all there. But the first use of the word sin doesn’t occur until Genesis 4. The first teaching on the dynamics of sin is in the context of Cain’s bitterness towards his brother Abel and the fact that Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s wasn’t. It’s in that context that we have the first mention of sin . . .

“Sin lies at the door. And, its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” – Genesis 4:7b

Pretty ominous, huh? Other translations say that “sin is crouching at the door” . . . the idea being of sin lying in wait, ready to pounce. More than some scary “boogie-man” hiding under the bed, sin is pictured more as a predator . . . stealthily stalking its prey . . . waiting for the opportune moment to spring and attack. It’s desire being to consume and control. Sin is so much more than “a mistake” . . . it is a cruel master . . . a destroyer. It infiltrates as pleasure . . . it masquerades as independence . . . it feeds off of pride . . . it deceives with a message of, “Now, this is living!” In fact, it is counter-life. The pleasures of sin only lasting for a season . . . the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23a).

And so God warns Cain . . . and by extension all those who would heed this “law of first mention” . . . sin lies at your door . . . it wants to control you . . . but you must rule over it . . . you must subdue and master it. Easier said than done . . . ya’ think? Here’s Paul’s cut on it: “I have discovered this principle of life–that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Rom. 7:21-24) So how was Cain to turn the tables on the sin predator and rule over it . . . how was he to gain control over the beast that lies in waiting seeking to control and devour?

Another “first mention” in Genesis . . . “Then men began to call on the name of the LORD” (Gen. 4:26). Isn’t that the key to mastering this relentless predator? Whether you understand this to mean that they “proclaimed the name of the Lord” or, “identified themselves by the name of the Lord” or, “they prayed to the Lord” or, “they worshiped the Lord” . . . the key to ruling over sin, to gaining mastery over this insatiable master, is to call on the name of the Lord. The God who diagnosed sin and its dynamics in Genesis 4, is the God who would solve the sin problem through the sacrifice of His Son and the empowering of His Spirit. The wages of sin paid in full on Calvary . . . the power over sin given to all who repent and own Christ as Savior and King.

In that Name is redemption from the price of sin — the price being paid fully by God’s own Son. In that Name is freedom from the bondage of sin . . . having been given new life in Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin.

The dynamics are the same . . . sin lies in wait . . . its desire is to control us . . . we are still called to rule over it. Our is to choose to not submit to it . . . to avail ourselves of the power of Christ in us to rule over it . . . to “not present our members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present ourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:13-14)

Sin lies at the door . . . I learn that in Genesis. I’m reminded too in Genesis, that there is a God who can be called upon . . . the Author of Salvation . . . the Rescuer from Sin . . . to Him be all glory for His amazing grace! . . . amen!

Posted in Genesis, Romans | 4 Comments

Nailed It!

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Pete

“In the beginning God . . . ” (Gen. 1:1). Doesn’t get much better than that. And with those words I start out again on my morning reading plan. Maybe some year I’ll read the January 1st readings on January 1st . . . but not this year. I usually finish up the plan before Christmas . . . so, to wait until the New Year to get back into the routine is too long. And it’s not just about the routine . . . there really is a sense of anticipation as I start out again to work my way through the Bible over the next year. I’m looking forward to rediscovering those familiar truths which God has been establishing within me over the years. I’m eager to find new stuff . . . stuff that’s always been there, but, for whatever reason, hasn’t really hit my radar in the past. And, there’s a certain amount of excitement as I anticipate again these mornings being a place where the Holy Spirit acts as my Teacher and opens my eyes and heart to God’s word. Really, there is nothing like the spiritual dynamic of interacting with God’s word.

This morning, as I read Genesis 1, it’s God’s creative nature that gives me reason to pause. Three times in this opening chapter I read that “God made” . . . and three times that “God created.” Someone recently shared a little Bible reading tip with me where, if you want to describe what God is like, you take the God “verbs” and turn them into God “nouns.” So if “God made”, then God is a Maker . . . if “God created”, then God is a Creator.

That God “made” the heavens and the earth indicates He’s a Laborer. God does work . . . He brings about an outcome . . . He puts forth divine effort and, to use a business term, produces a deliverable. And, through His labor, God also creates . . . He shapes . . . He forms. He created the heavens and earth . . . He made the firmament, the expanse that separated water above from water below . . . He made two great lights, one to rule over the day, the other, the night . . . He created sea creatures . . . He made the beasts of the earth. How amazing is our God?

And God’s products are of the highest quality. Want to describe the deliverables from the Maker and Creator? One word . . . “Good!” Over and over again in Genesis 1 you read “and God saw that it was good.” You kind of imagine the Creator standing back and admiring His creation and saying to Himself, “Nailed it!” What pleasure does God have in creating? You see the Maker beholding the fruit of His labor with a sense of satisfaction . . . all of it declaring the glories of God. And it wasn’t just good . . . “Then God saw everything that He made, and indeed it was very good” (1:31). Very good . . . that’s kind of stuff the Maker makes . . . the kind of creation the Creator creates.

And in the midst of all that He created was His masterpiece . . . that which reflected not only the labor of His hands and the genius of His creative design . . . but that which reflected God Himself . . . “then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’ . . . . So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (1:26-27). Ok . . . so noodle on that for a bit. Made in the image of God . . . a God who talks about “Us” creating man . . . in “Our” image . . . and “Our” likeness. As helpful as it is to take verbs and make them into nouns to describe God, how much more do we get some understanding of God by looking at that part of creation made in His triune image and likeness? Sure, it’s kind of messed up by sin . . . but the Creator has looked after that as well . . .

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2Cor. 5:17). The Creator is still creating . . . new creations . . . fully refurbished . . . redeemed . . . restored . . . and re-enabled to reflect the glory of God. He made me in His likeness . . . and He is re-making me in the image of His Son. He created me for His glory . . . and He newly created me to show forth, in some measure, that glory. By His grace I am the product of the Maker’s hand . . . through His Son I’m a new creation. And God looks at me in Christ . . . and sees that everything that He made in Christ was very good . . . He stands back . . . and says, “Nailed it!” . . .

Posted in Genesis | Leave a comment

Anticipation

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Pete

So . . . this morning I wrap up my reading plan . . . as always, it has been a great journey through God’s word . . . I do enjoy these times . . . coffee beside me . . . Holy Spirit inside me . . . words of life in front of me. Some mornings it’s been a little difficult to get up and I feel like I may have been a little “dull of understanding” as I read, but, for the most part, the mornings are such a joy . . . the Lord so faithful in showing me something for the day . . . the word of God so alive and powerful, “and sharper than any two-edge sword.” And as I wrap up, not surprisingly, what stirs my heart is the thought of one day being with Him.

You gotta love Revelation 22 . . . how cool is it to peer into heaven itself . . . it becoming a foretaste of what awaits the believer. You read that chapter and your soul can’t help but join in the chorus of “I just can’t wait” anticipation, “Come! . . . .Come! . . . Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” And how appropriate is that for this time of year? As we reflect on the fact — yes, the fact and reality — that He has already come once, just as foretold . . . as we reflect on that fact this Christmas, shouldn’t it also spark the excitement of Him coming again, just as foretold? Read the Christmas story in Matthew or Luke . . . reflect on the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Redeemer . . . then read Revelation 22 and meditate on the soon-to-happen fulfillment of God’s promise to unite the Bridegroom and Bride . . . to put away all sin, sorrow, and suffering . . . and to gather His people to be with Him in a place that is beyond imagination.

And, I noticed three things about those who will be with Him in that place. First, “His servants will serve Him” (22:3b). It’s not about harps and fluffy clouds . . . there’s some sort of work to be done in Glory . . . our hands will have things to do in service for the One who came not to be served, but to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Second, we “shall reign forever and ever” (22:5b). Check that out . . . servants and rulers . . . maybe that’s how we’ll serve is through ruling. I don’t fully know what we’ll be reigning over, but that’s what it says here. As joint heirs of Christ we will reign with Him over His inheritance for eternity . . . doesn’t that stir the imagination a bit?

But its the third thing I see that stirs my heart the most. Serving Him will be great . . . how He deserves my life for eternity. Reigning with Him will be blessing beyond blessing . . . what privilege and heights He has saved us to. But, it’s this third thing that will surpass all other wonders and blessings of heaven . . . “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads” (22:4).

Oh, to see His face! To behold Him up close and in person! To gaze upon the One who died for me . . . who wooed me to Himself . . . who saved me . . . and seated me together with Himself in heavenly places . . . what will that be? I might be wrong, but it feels like that’s the main event . . . all the blessings of heaven pale but for the thought of being face to face before the throne of God and of the Lamb. We shall behold Him . . . in all His glory. We shall see His face . . . in all its beauty. We shall gaze into His eyes . . . and He, into our ours. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

We can only imagine what the scene truly looked like on that night in Bethlehem when Jesus, the Savior, was born. In terms of all men through all history, only a select few saw Him face-to-face at His first advent. Many today though, see Him face to face as those who have believed and gone on to glory . . . and they wait with Him for the final consummation of redemption’s work. And then, there are those of us who live in anticipation . . . with excitement at the thought of one day seeing Him . . . face to face. “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (22:17)

Face to face with Christ my Savior . . . Face to face what will it be . . . When with rapture I behold Him . . . Jesus Christ Who died for me? Face to face! O blissful moment! . . . Face to face to see and know . . . Face to face with My Redeemer . . . Jesus Christ who loved me so. Face to face I shall behold Him . . . Far beyond the starry sky . . . Face to face in all His glory . . . I shall see Him by and by!

Ain’t it so? Amen!

Posted in Revelation | 1 Comment

That Day

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Pete

Ok . . . so I’ll admit it . . . I need help with the book of Zechariah. While I recognize that is packed full of “latter days” stuff . . . while I see at least some of the prophecies fulfilled in Christ . . . while I even notice that some of them are “first advent” and some are “second advent” . . . I gotta admit it seems pretty scrambled all together. For example, in chapter 9 verse 9, Zechariah prophecies of a King coming, just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey. Ok, I recognize that . . . Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem . . . first advent stuff. But then, the very next verse, verse 10, Zechariah records that “He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Now that sounds like second coming stuff . . . that sounds like Christ’s earthly reign established. So, where’s all the stuff that happens between verses 9 and 10? It’s the nature of prophecy . . . it’s what the prophets diligently sought to understand but was withheld from them. Jesus would come . . . and then He would come again.

But, there is something I noticed this morning, that I do get . . . ’cause I’m pretty good when it comes to repetition. As I read the last 5 chapters of Zechariah’s prophecy this morning there was 3 word phrase that kept coming up . . . “In that day.” Sixteen times that little phrase is used in chapters 12, 13, and 14. It’s used only 19 times in the whole book.

And “that day” talks of the time of Christ when He does battle with the nations and puts them down with His mighty hand (12:9). And “that day” is also a time when “a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness” (13:1) . . . and a day when “living waters shall flow from Jerusalem” (14:8) . . . and a day when “the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be — ‘The LORD is one,’ And His name one” (14:9).

All second advent stuff? . . . or some first advent stuff mixed in? Right now, I’m not sure about which is which . . . hence why I need to some help and need to spend some study time in this book. But, what I am sure of is that there has already come an “in that day.” The decorations around the house remind me of it constantly. The anticipated gifts scream of God’s great Gift. The joy of being with family is surpassed by the joy of knowing I’m part of His family . . . born again through the blood of Jesus Christ . . . given the Spirit of adoption. All because Jesus came “in that day.” Immanuel . . . God with Us. Incarnate . . . God made flesh. And just as sure as He came as the prophets said, “In that day,” . . . He will come again . . . as the prophets also say . . . “in that day.”

Just as this season and its celebration of “that day” 2,000 years ago generates a certain amount of anticipation, how much more the thought of that future “that day”? He came once, just as was foretold . . . He’s coming again, just as was foretold. And in that day, far from coming in lowly humility, He will descend with a shout . . . in might and majesty, He will be manifest as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The lowly One of whom Zechariah wrote, “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (13:7) will return as the Victorious Lamb . . . ready for His bride . . . ready to dwell with His people.

I also read in Revelation 21 this morning of “that day.” The tabernacle of God will be with men . . . He will dwell with them . . . they shall be His people . . . God Himself will be with them and be their God (Rev. 21:3). He will wipe away every tear . . . in that day there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying . . . no more pain, for the former things have passed away (21:4). He will give of the fountain of the water of life freely . . . and we will come into our heavenly inheritance as children of God (21:6-7). It will be a place where there is no temple . . . “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (21:22). Neither will there be any need for a sun or moon to shine “in that day” . . . “for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” (21:23). And we, who have been saved by grace . . . bought with a price . . . redeemed from the penalty of sin . . . we shall walk in this light (21:24) . . . our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (21:27). What a day “that day” will be. Amen!

Posted in Zechariah | Leave a comment

Thomas and Me

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Pete

It occurs to me that as much can be communicated with the tone of voice as with the words themselves. And what brings that to mind this morning is reading again Thomas’ words in John 20.

He was called Thomas, the Twin, or Didymus. He was one of the twelve. Maybe he was Matthew’s twin as his name and Matthew’s seem always to be linked together when Jesus’ twelve disciples are listed. If the association with Matthew wasn’t that of being his twin, maybe Thomas was a tax collector as well. I don’t think we know. But his “15 minutes of fame” come after the resurrection of Christ.

He wasn’t there the first time Christ visited His disciples and showed Himself alive to them. So you need to give him a bit slack when he shows up afterward and hears his compatriots tell him, “We have seen the Lord!” (John 20:24-25a) . . . or do you? That’s where the tone of voice thing comes in. Here’s Thomas’ response . . .

“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25b)

So . . . how did he say that? The words, in and of themselves, are pretty assertive, “I will not believe.” But how where they said? Was it with a tone of, “I’m done with this thing . . . you guys are on something . . . unless I touch Him, I WILL NOT BELIEVE!” Or, maybe, it was more like, “Don’t mess with me . . . I’ve been through the ringer, just like you . . . I’m beat up . . . broken . . . disillusioned . . . withered . . . I need some tangible proof or I will not believe.” Or maybe it was the voice of desperation, “What? He was here? Oh, I know you guys . . . I know you wouldn’t be kidding about something like this at a time like this . . . but it’s too incredible . . . too big a leap of faith . . . unless I see Him and touch, I will not believe.”

You know, regardless of how Thomas said these words . . . regardless of the exact condition of his unbelieving heart . . . it’s the response of Jesus when, eight days later, He again visits His disciples, which captures me this morning . . .

“Then [Jesus] said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ ” (John 20:27)

Talk about your “Amazing Grace!” Jesus confronted Thomas’ unbelief . . . He responded to His “I will not” assertiveness . . . by saying, “Thomas, stop it . . . stop your unbelieving . . . I want you so much that I’m here to let you poke and prod me as you want . . . I love you so much, not only did I die for you, but I’ve come pursuing you and presenting Myself to you in the way that is needed for you to believe. Stop doubting and believe.” However Thomas said it, Jesus determined to draw “doubting Thomas” to Himself . . . this one that the Father had given Him, Jesus would in no way lose (John 6:39) . . . though this sheep might be wandering a bit in doubt, the Good Shepherd was determined to bring him home, . . . even if that meant He had to carry Thomas on His shoulders . . . even if that meant having Thomas put his fingers into the nail prints in His hand. That’s the grace of Jesus . . . that’s the love of God. And really, I’m that Thomas.

The Lord didn’t appear to me . . . He didn’t tell me to poke Him in the side where the spear had been thrust . . . but I have been shown the same grace . . . and continue to be patiently graced by the One who wants me with Him. I once was just as unbelieving . . . just as willful . . . and continue to have doubts about stuff from time to time . . . and continue to see the ugly head of “I will” rear itself. But in His infinite patience . . . His matchless grace . . . He determines to call me to faith . . . revealing something of Himself which invariably puts my heart on its knees declaring, “My Lord and My God!”

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” Jesus said (John 20:29). I am among that company of blessed persons. Not because of anything I have done . . . but because, just as with Thomas, His grace drew me to Himself and to believing in His precious name . . . His grace continuing to lovingly dispel doubt . . . for His glory . . . amen!

Posted in John | Leave a comment

Worship God!

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Pete

Finally . . . it was just too much for John. The visions . . . the prophecy . . . the insight to the future . . . the encounter with heaven. Finally, in Revelation 19, John the Revelator goes weak-kneed. Not because of fear, as in chapter 1 where He first beheld the majestic Son of Man (Rev. 1:17). No, this time his legs give out because of overwhelming awe and wonder. His legs instinctively cry, “Face down, man!” He just had to worship . . .

He heard again that loud voice of heaven, that great multitude, and this time they proclaimed, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!” (Rev. 19:1). Babylon had been judged . . . the King had avenged the blood of the apostles, of the prophets, of His saints (18:20, 24; 19:2) . . . and heaven could not help but fall down before the throne of God and declare, “Praise our God, all You His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” (19:5).

And the voice continued to grow into an ear-splitting crescendo, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (19:6)

But there was more . . . the marriage of the Lamb to His blood-bought Bride had come . . . there she was, the Bride, His church . . . “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright” . . . “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” (19:8-9).

And at that, John’s legs gave out. He needed to worship. Put down the pen of prophecy . . . get on your knees . . . go facedown . . . and worship. It didn’t matter before who . . . He just had to worship! But it did matter before who . . .

“And I fell at [the angel’s] feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ ” (Rev. 19:10)

Therein are the two words that have grabbed me this morning . . . “Worship God!” Not the glories of heaven . . . not the sound of multitudes declaring His praise. Not the inheritance that is ours with Christ . . . not the wonders of His marriage table. Not the music . . . nor the angels. It all bows in subjection to Him who alone is worthy of our worship . . . God!

Fall at His feet . . . bow your head to the ground in reverence . . . kiss the hand . . . prostrate yourself . . . all this is encompassed in this idea of worship. Truly, it is no more evident that He must increase and we must decrease, than in worship. Everything else is the creation of His hand . . . we are to worship the Creator not any part of the creation.

This weakness in the knees would happen with John again . . . this need to go facedown before something . . . and again it would be before his “host angel” . . . and again the angel would re-direct Him to the only true object worthy of our exaltation, “Worship of God,” the angel would say again (Rev. 20:8-9).

That will truly be the best part of heaven. To worship at the foot of the throne. To look away from all the glories of our heavenly surroundings and focus solely on the One who so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son . . . to gaze upon the Son . . . the Lamb . . . the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . the King of Kings and Lord of Lords . . . and, oblivious to all the splendor . . . and angels . . . and loud voices . . . worship God. But hey, I don’t need to wait until then to start practicing . . . I can go facedown right now . . . and bow, whether “in my heart” or literally, . . . and worship Him who is worthy of all worship.

Worship God! . . . so be it!

Posted in Revelation | Leave a comment