Victor-Tree for Jesus

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Pete

Palm branches in heaven. That’s what I’m noodling on this morning.

In the latter portion of Revelation 7, John sees “a vast multitude” of people, “standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (7:9). They’re from “every nation, tribe, people, and language” and they have but one great objective, to give glory to the Author of salvation, “to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (7:10).

Who are they? They are believers, of course. But not just any believers. They are those “coming out of the great tribulation” (7:14). During the carnage and world-wide suffering experienced during the unsealing of the six seals which John had before witnessed, these are souls who, by God’s grace, repented under God’s mighty hand; souls who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; souls who were, at the 11th hour of human history, rescued from sin and delivered from destruction. John sees them before the throne of God (7:15a). John sees God’s shelter over them (7:15b). And John sees the Lamb ready to shepherd them and lead them to “springs of the waters of life” (7:17). Lot to see here.

But what do I notice this morning? Palm branches.

After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.

(Revelation 7:9 CSB)

Palm branches in their hands . . . before the throne of God . . . in heaven . . . as in, not on the earth. Hmm . . .

Literal or figurative? Frequently, the million-dollar question when trying to understand what was revealed to John. But even if they are literal, they are also symbolic. A symbol of victorious joy.

They are “the product of majestic trees”, first identified by God to be used as an instrument of celebration when He instituted the Feast of Booths, the seven-day festival celebrating Israel’s rescue from Egypt and the shelter God provided for them in the wilderness under the glory of His presence (Lev. 23:39-44). They were to rejoice. And they were to do it with palm branches in their hands.

They were to rejoice as did the crowd on that day Jesus entered Jerusalem (Jn. 12:12-16). On that day they also took palm branches and met the lowly Jesus riding on a donkey’s colt with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” The King was in their midst, the King who would be their deliverer, the King who would conquer their enemies. And so, in anticipation, the crowd that day raised the majestic fronds of triumph and celebration before Him.

Don’t know how palm branches end up in heaven, but I do know they are the victor-tree which celebrates His victory.

They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.

And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!

All the angels stood around the throne, and along with the elders and the four living creatures they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, saying,
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

(Revelation 7:9b-12 CSB)

Victor-tree for Jesus!

God’s grace. God’s glory.

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Someone to Hear My Case

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Pete

Job and his buddies were in agreement about some stuff. As I read Job 31 this morning, out of the gate Job makes a couple of statements that I think his debating cohort would have said, “Yes and Amen!” to.

Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust
and misfortune to evildoers?
Does [God] not see my ways
and number all my steps?

(Job 31:3-4 CSB)

God sees my ways — all of them. God numbers my steps — each of them. Don’t think any one around the table was taking issue with that.

And they probably would have aligned to Job’s first point as well, though they would have been wrong. Disaster doesn’t come only to the unjust. Misfortune isn’t only for evildoers.

And as I noodle on Job’s assertion, I think about how far he’s come (or digressed) in the last 30 chapters. Back in chapter 1 it’s Job who, with torn robe and shaved head, worships and declares, “The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). In chapter 2, even after his mental suffering is compounded with physical suffering, Job is still able to reconcile his personal integrity with God’s painful incursion, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10b).

So, what’s happened over 30 chapters (more accurately, over 7 days of silent suffering and then who knows how many hours of back-and-forth verbal abuse)? What’s happened is that things haven’t gotten any better nor have they started to make any more sense.

What’s happened, I think, is that as Job continues to endure the excruciating “what” of his suffering, his comforters have forced him to also engage the agonizing “why” of his suffering. And if suffering is the just outcome of the sinner, reasons Job, then God’s not just because that ain’t me. And Job’s right . . . at least about the “that ain’t me” part.

As Job runs through his resume of righteousness in Job 31, you know he’s not padding the story to make himself look better than he really is, nor is he merely bragging in order to put himself on a pedestal. Everything that Job claims marked his life is what you’d expect of someone who God Himself has declared repeatedly to the spirit realm, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8 CSB).

So, Job makes his case again before his friends. He rehearses the case he’d make before God if God were “man enough” to meet with him. And if God weren’t ready to step into the courtroom and chime in with His reasons why and His purposes wherefore, then Job says, in effect, I’ll take somebody, anybody who is ready and willing to listen.

If only I had someone to hear my case!
(Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me!)
Let my Opponent compose His indictment.
I would surely carry it on my shoulder
and wear it like a crown.
I would give Him an account of all my steps;
I would approach Him like a prince.

(Job 31:35-37 CSB)

Let’s do it, says Job. Bring Your best case and I will crush it with my most accurate defense. Just tell me what this all about so I can tell You back why I am to be counted among the just. I’m ready. If only I had someone to hear my case!

To be sure, Job crosses the line — again! — when it comes to addressing the Almighty, Holy, Sovereign God of Creation. But I think I can kind of get it. There’s no relief from his suffering in sight. There’s no clarity for the reasons for his suffering in sight. And there’s no respite from the accusations as to why he’s suffering in sight. So, a frustrated Job laments, If only I had someone to hear my case!

Oh, that Job had known what we now know. Oh, that Job might have known who we now know, Jesus! For then, there could be found some rest from his sufferings.

Oh, that Job had known about a heavenly High Priest who “had to be like His brothers and sisters in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God” (Heb. 2:17). One who is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” because He too “has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15 CSB). One who could hear my case, because He has Himself experienced my case.

There is Someone. Someone who will hear my case. Someone who will present my side. Someone who will be my advocate. Someone who “is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25 CSB).

Someone who’s grace is sufficient. Someone enabling us to endure for God’s glory.

Amen?

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From Wretched to Reigning

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Pete

Finished up Jesus’s seven letter series to the churches. Laodicea, oh what a church. For some reason, this morning she brings to mind a song from the late ’70’s which declares “it can’t be wrong, when it feels so right, ’cause you light up my life.” To be sure, by their own confession and from all appearances, Jesus did light up their lives. But what should have been experienced as the blazing hot light of the sun was instead felt as but the tepid glow of a 40-watt bulb. Thus, they were lukewarm even though they thought they were on fire. And so, because their lives “felt so right” they failed to recognize just how “wrong” they really were. Says Jesus of them, “You don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

Their’s a lot to chew on concerning those who think they have it so right but really have it so wrong. But this morning, the “I” that captures my thoughts is the “I” of the One who is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness” (Rev. 3:14) The I who is the I AM, the One who walks among the churches and who alone can light up the life that is lukewarm, bringing us from wretched to reigning.

I know your works . . . (Revelation 3:15 CSB)

I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:16 CSB)

I advise you . . . (Revelation 3:18 CSB)

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. (Revelation 3:19 CSB)

See! I stand at the door and knock. (Revelation 3:20 CSB)

To the one who conquers, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I also won the victory and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21 CSB)

I know, says Jesus, I know your works. What’s more, I know what’s behind your works — the heart and motivation, the reasons, reckonings, and self-evaluation. And He who is the Truth, who cannot do otherwise than to be true to Himself, says I will truthfully evaluate those works. Thus, ways which are lukewarm are ways which must be spit out. Not only do I know, says Jesus, I’m also honest.

But I also advise. I’m committed to the work I have begun in you, so I will counsel you. I don’t reject, I’m not repulsed, I’m not re-thinking calling you to be Mine. Instead, I will redirect you.

And that, because I love you. Love you just the way you are and love you too much to leave you the way you are. Thus, I rebuke, and I correct. I chastise and I discipline. Not to cut you down, but to build you up. Not to trash you, but to train you.

So behold, I stand at the door, and I knock. I come to you, inviting you to open up to me. I so want to be with you so that you can know afresh the light and fire that comes from abiding with me. Yours is not to do more, it’s just to open wide and let Me come in and be with you more.

And, for those with ears to hear and by My Father’s grace willfully respond, I will give you the right to go from supping with Me at the table to sitting with me on My throne.

From wretched to reigning. How’s that for lighting up my life?

Not because of who I am, but because of what the great I AM has purposed to do.

Jesus is the I AM who powerfully redeems and patiently restores. The Light of the world who takes even my wrong and makes it so right.

And me? I’m just a sinner being saved by God’s grace for God’s glory.

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But Little Power

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Pete

Most commonly, they’re known as the church of “brotherly love.” This morning, I’m chewing on the fact that they were also the church of but little power.

The church in Philadelphia, the sixth church of seven to receive a letter from Jesus. This time, He self-identifies as “the Holy One, the true One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens” (Rev. 3:7). Jesus says He’s the door opener. Good thing, ’cause the saints in Philadelphia, it seems, living in the shadow of the “synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 3:9) weren’t in much of a position to open doors for themselves.

“I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.”

(Revelation 3:8 CSB)

For the church of brotherly love, there were no “buts” of rebuke from the Great Shepherd who walks among the churches — only commendation. No correction, just “keep ons”. They had kept His word. They had kept true to His name. They had kept His command to endure (v. 10). And so, says the risen, reigning Lord, keep holding on (v.11).

Endure. Hold on. That was to be the mission and vision statement of this church of but little power.

Big crowds and tons of programs? Not here. But an open door? You bet! Because the One who’s business it is to open doors that on one can shut had placed an open door before this church of but little power.

So, “Keep on,” says the King.

“Your power is found in the promise of My presence and power,” declares the One who has the keys to every and all doors.

There’s respite and rest in a fresh realization that no matter how much power we think we have, we really have but little power. That no matter how much we think we can be the shakers and movers, we are but vessels in the Masters hand. That whatever doors we think we may have kicked down; it is actually Jesus who has opened them up.

Keep My word. Proclaim My name. Endure.

Be faithful. Keep on keepin’ on.

And know My might in your midst, though you have but little power.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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On the Front Lines

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Pete

We often say, “The battle is the Lord’s.” And, to be sure, that is so true. However, if I’m picking up on what’s being laid down this morning, Jesus expects us to be on the front lines.

Reading in Revelation 2 this morning and hovering over what “the One who has the sharp, double-edged sword” (sounds like Jesus is battle ready) has to say to the church in Pergamum. First, He knows where they live, and it ain’t in no land of milk and honey. In fact, it’s where Satan lives. And not only where the devil resides, but where he rules as well — so much so that believers are being put to death for believing. And amidst this hostile culture, Jesus commends the saints for “holding on” and not denying their faith in Christ (Rev. 2:13).

“But,” says Jesus, “I have a few things against you.” Uh oh, listen up, church!

While the church at Pergamum had stood fast against the external persecution of the enemy, they had let down their guard and allowed in the internal prevalence of the enemy. They had in their midst some who were holding to the enemy’s teaching — the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans (2:14-15). While the church stood fast against the culture without, that had already allowed the culture to enter within as they tolerated idolatry and sexual immorality within the church. While they resolved not to waver in what they believed, it seems they were okay with compromising how they behaved. Not in the world, maybe, but acting way too much like the world.

So Jesus says to the church, “Repent, or else.” And it’s the “or else” I’m chewing on this morning.

“So repent! Otherwise, I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”

(Revelation 2:16 CSB)

I will come to you quickly. Sounds like a good thing, right? Even so, come Lord Jesus! But remember the context, this is the “or else” part of the command to “repent.” This coming is not His coming again, but carries the sense of His coming against. S-T . . . those two letters make a world of difference! While we all want the Lord Jesus to come again, which of us wants Him to come against? Not this guy!

While the battle is the Lord’s, while it is His power which will ensure the fulfillment of His promise that “the gates of hell will not prevail” against His church (Mt. 16:18), His expectation is still that the church will “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). That she will “hold on” to the “pattern of sound teaching” she had received (2Tim. 1:13) and that she will watch out for those who preach contrary to sound doctrine (Rom. 16:17). That she will live in a manner worthy of the gospel (Php. 1:27), being holy as her Redeemer is holy (1Pet. 1:15). If she’s not doing that, then, says Jesus, “I have few things against you. Repent.”

The leaven of Balaam will be expelled, the tares of the Nicolaitans will be uprooted, the only question is whether the church will faithfully fight that fight until Jesus comes again, or whether Jesus will need to come against the church in the meantime and deal with false teaching and faithless living Himself.

The battle is the Lord’s. For sure!

We are to be on the front lines. Equally for sure!

By His grace. For His glory.

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To Know the Touch

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Pete

To quote a famous baseball player of a bygone era, it was “deja vu all over again.”

It wasn’t the first time John found himself on his face like a dead man at the feet of Jesus. The last time, he was with a couple of friends on a mountain where Jesus was literally shining, Moses and Elijah were casually visiting, and the Father was ominously thundering (Mt. 17:1-6). The result? John & Co. went facedown. This time, John was in the Spirit on an island with Jesus only. But this was not just a shining Jesus, this was King Jesus in all His glory, the One who walks among the churches (Rev. 1:13a). And this encounter of the divine kind with the risen, glorified Son of Man buckled John’s knees again, such that “when I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man” (Rev. 1:17a). Facedown once more. Deja vu all over again.

But that wasn’t all of it. There was something else which had occurred on that mountain back then which also occurred on this island on the Lord’s Day.

He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid.”

(Revelation 1:17b CSB)

On the mountain, Matthew records that after going facedown before the glorified Son of God, Jesus “touched them” and told them to get up and not be afraid. On the island, John tells us that after going facedown before the glorified Son of Man, Jesus again touched him and said, “Don’t be afraid.”

Jesus touched John.

I know I’ve noodled on this before, but again this morning I’m captured by the thought of being touched by Jesus. Of what it was for John to have felt the hand of Jesus rest gently on his shoulder. Of hearing the King of kings and Lord of lords address him individually and softly speak over him, “Don’t be afraid.” It’s one thing to hear “don’t be afraid,” it’s another thing — a totally next level thing — to feel it.

He laid His right hand on me, says John. He touched me.

Oh, to know the touch of Jesus. To go from bowing before Him in reverent awe overwhelmed by His might and majesty, to sensing the touch of His fingertips as He bends toward me and, by the Spirit, lays His hand upon my shoulder and says, “Get up.”

To be touched by the One who created all things and holds all things together. Touched by the One who rules over all things. Touched by the One who came to redeem all things.

To know the touch of the hand of the King.

He touched me, oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole (Bill Gaither)

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Go Again

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Pete

You get the sense that to say, “She played the field” would have been an understatement. To say, “She was loose” would have been to state the obvious. But to say, “She was a prostitute?” Well, the CSB indicates that may have not quite been the case.

When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him:

Go and marry a woman of promiscuity,
and have children of promiscuity,
for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity
by abandoning the LORD.

So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim.

(Hosea 1:2-3a CSB)

Gomer, Hosea’s wife, was a woman of promiscuity. Free and single, she was free and fearlessly seeking love. A type of Israel, she lusted after whoever and whatever she thought might satisfy her sensual desires. Blatant acts of promiscuity. Abandoning the Lord. And yet, says the LORD to the Hosea, she was the one for him. “Go and marry.” And he does. Hosea goes.

After they are wed, Gomer’s first baby is clearly fathered by her husband, for the Scripture explicitly says that she “bore him a son.” After that, the Scripture is suspiciously silent, leaving things a little less clear as to who the father was for child 2 and child 3. Implication? You can take the girl out of the game but, while the old nature remains, you can’t necessarily keep her from continuing to play the field. And so, where at first the LORD asked Hosea to wed a promiscuous woman, the LORD then commands Hosea to take for himself an adulteress woman.

Then the LORD said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the LORD loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.”

(Hosea 3:1 CSB)

Go again. That’s what first arrests me. Wasn’t it enough that he went the first time? Wasn’t such grace sufficient grace? She had her chance to change her ways and settle down. She blew it. Let’s move on. Hadn’t he done enough already? I guess not.

Marvelous grace is persistent grace. Abounding grace is pursuing grace. If, at first, “Go” doesn’t win the wayward, then “Go again.” For the LORD had purposed concerning His fickle betrothed, Israel:

I will take you to be My wife forever.
I will take you to be My wife in righteousness,
justice, love, and compassion.
I will take you to be My wife in faithfulness,
and you will know the LORD.

(Hosea 2:19-20 CSB)

I will take you to be My wife. Thrice repeated, the LORD openly declares His intentions. And not just to take her as His wife, but to transform her as His bride. His grace sufficient for a complete makeover. To make a promiscuous wife a faithful wife. To take a treacherous adulteress and recast her as one who love would righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. But it would not be without cost.

So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and nine bushels of barley.

(Hosea 3:2 CSB)

Go and marry her, the LORD says at first, giving yourself to her, taking her to be yours forever. Then go again and buy her. Redeem her. Purchase her from the slavery she has sold herself into. And unless there was any doubt as to how far she had fallen, it seems she had so corrupted herself that she didn’t even command the going, fair-market value of a slave (Ex. 21:32).

And while it is go again which catches my attention at first, it’s I bought her that really gives me something to chew on, this morning.

You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.

(1Corinthians 6:19b-20 CSB)

I’m her. She’s me. I’m Gomer. Playing the field before the day He took me as His bride, still prone to wander after. But my Bridegroom, in His limitless grace, purposes always to go again because He has bought me. Having paid for me not the discounted price of a 50% off slave but having redeemed me with something far more lavish and unexpected.

For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.

(1Peter 1:18-19 CSB)

You were redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ. It cost Hosea 15 shekels and some barley to go again. It cost my LORD His life. And He has purposed to faithfully go again until that day I am presented to Him fully faithful.

Oh, what grace! To God be the glory!

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Anticipation

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Pete

“Gentlemen, start your engines!”

For many of us in the U.S., yesterday it began — the race to Christmas. While the turkey roasted, we put out snacks on the counter, turned on football and let it play in the background, and pulled out Christmas decorations from the closet. Before the day was done, some of us might have been heard humming, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

Cue the anticipation.

Anticipation . . . that’s what came to mind as I finished up my readings in Daniel and Jude this morning.

Daniel concludes his writings with detailed visions of what his heaven-sent interpreters refered to as “the time of the end.” The time when the kingdom promised will be the kingdom present (Dan. 2:44). The “appointed time” (Dan. 11:35) when “many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to disgrace and eternal contempt” (Dan. 12:2). The time when “those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the heavens” (Dan. 12:3a).

Daniel knew he was counted among those who have insight. So, I imagine, Daniel couldn’t wait for the time.

But Daniel also had a question. “How long until the end of these wondrous things?” (Dan. 12:6b). Though he had a lot of information, he confessed that, “I heard but did not understand”; and so, he asks again, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” (Dan. 12:8). When will it be? Are we there yet?

The table had been set, but Daniel wanted to know when the main course would be served. The race to the end had begun, but Daniel wanted to know when he’d see the final finish line. The promise had been presented, but Daniel wanted to know when he’d be able to open the gift. To which Daniel was told:

“But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, and then you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the days.”

(Daniel 12:13 CSB)

It’s been about 2,600 years since Daniel was told to go on his way while he waited in anticipation for his allotted inheritance at the end of the days. Talk about your anticipation. If that’s not the nth degree of what it means to patiently, expectantly, and eagerly await to open gifts, I don’t know what is.

Like I said, for many of us yesterday marked the beginning of an annual entrance into a season of anticipation. Sure, it’ll probably be too busy, too hectic, and with too many calories, but let the anticipation begin! Every day we count down to that 25th day of December can be reminder that we are counting down to the promised day of our full deliverance. Our allotted inheritance awaits!

For now, though, we go on our way. Eagerly waiting, even as we seek to faithfully walk. Wanting so bad to participate in “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9) because we have already tasted and seen that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8). Ready for faith to give way to sight (2Cor. 5:6-8). Ready to go from knowing in part to fully knowing, from seeing in a mirror dimly to being face-to-face (1Cor. 13:12).

So, let’s do it. Let the countdown to Christmas 2023 begin. Let the countdown to Christ’s return, and the culmination of His kingdom come, be rekindled.

And Jude reminds me this morning, we can await the time of the end with a divine confidence.

Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 24-25 CSB)

Gentlemen . . . gentle women . . . start your engines. Let the anticipation begin. Let the anticipation be refreshed.

Because of God’s amazing grace. Only for God’s all-deserving glory.

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Dangerous Reefs

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Pete

Okay. Here’s a place where the CSB rendering makes a BIG difference — and again, if I had been a NASB reader, this would have already been familiar to me. But I haven’t read the NASB, and so it looks like a big difference. A big difference between spots, blemishes, and dangerous reefs.

These people are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by winds; trees in late autumn ​— ​fruitless, twice dead and uprooted. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameful deeds; wandering stars for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.

(Jude 1:12-13 CSB)

Initially Jude had thought to write a letter to this group of believers to encourage them by reminding them of “the salvation we share.” Instead, he’s compelled to warn them of the danger they were in by appealing to them to “contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all” (Jd. 3). And the danger he warns them of? It was these people.

These people had “come in by stealth” (Jd. 4a). These weren’t outsiders, they were insiders. The logo on their t-shirt said, “Believer.” The first impressions from their behavior said, “Brother.” But, warns Jude, their bent said, “Beware.” For they would turn the grace of God into a reason to follow the flesh (Jd. 4b). And if you’re gonna follow the flesh then you are essentially denying that Jesus is the “only Master and Lord” (Jd. 4c).

Did I mention they were insiders? Eating at the church’s love feasts, they put on airs of reverence even as they fellowshipped around the table commemorating the church’s love for the Savior. Thus, according to the ESV, they were blemishes among the believers. They were spots (NKJV) among the saints. They were weeds among the wheat (Mt. 13:24-26).

But honestly, while blemishes, and spots, and weeds might sound disappointing in that not all God’s people were really good people, translate the original word differently and disappointing becomes downright DANGEROUS!

These people are dangerous reefs . . .

Not just spots, but rocks. Not just blemishes, but bad news for unsuspecting vessels. Capable of shipwrecking others’ faith as they claim the faith. Sounding good though, in reality, they are but shepherds who only look after themselves.

What a warning! Sounds a lot like Peter’s warning in 2Peter 2. That makes it a repeated warning!

Not that we should be seeing a heretic in every pew, but we’d be naïve to think this is only a possibility at someone else’s love feast. These dangerous reefs can pop up right were our churches have set sail.

So, wouldn’t it be prudent to heed Jude’s warning? To listen to Jude’s appeal? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish.

(Jude 1:3 MSG)

Contend for the faith. Know it. Study it. Internalize it. Obey it. Defend it.

When that’s our posture, then we’ll have activated the Spirit-powered sonar we’ve been given which is able to detect dangerous reefs.

Grace will then continue to be counted as God’s unmerited favor worthy of our worship and not twisted to be God’s “who cares” permission to do whatever we like. Jesus will be owned as Master and Lord and not misunderstood as but one means to an end, only obeying His commands when they’re convenient.

Dangerous reefs. Possibly in our midst.

So, contend for the faith.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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Don’t Want to Be a Lightweight

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Pete

You get the sense that Belshazzar should have known better. After all, he knew of the humbling of his predecessor, the legendary Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The story had been told and retold of how, at the height of arrogance, Nebuchadnezzar, who had deemed himself a god, had been humbled under the mighty hand of the Most High God. Of how he had been reduced to grazing with the beasts of the field until he came to his senses and acknowledged that it really wasn’t he who ruled the kingdoms of men, but that the King of Heaven was all and over all. And, because the story had been known in the palace and through the royal courts for years, Nebuchadnezzar’s successor, Belshazzar, should have known better. Instead, he ended up being weighed on divine scales and had been “found deficient” (Daniel 5:27 CSB).

It had started out innocent enough, just a “small” gathering of the king and a thousand of his closest friends. Soon the wine was flowing freely, the talk was getting pretty big, and the bravado had turned reckless. “Given the greatness of who I am,” thinks the king, “I deserve better vessels than these from which to drink. Bring me vessels of gold and silver made for a god — made to serve the God. Bring me the treasures of the Jerusalem temple that I might pickle my brain in a manner fitting one of my stature! And with them let us praise the gods of gold and silver!”

At the moment, if Belshazzar had cared to think about it, he could have looked back over his shoulder and seen the line — the one he had just crossed.

Disembodied fingers of a human hand appear. Divine graffiti is written on the wall. The king’s face goes white. The joints in his limbs give way. His knees knock (Daniel 5:5-6). Oh, oh, this isn’t good! He should have known better. But now he had been weighed in the balance, and he had come up short.

The indictment?

But you . . , Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, . . . you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. . . . you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, . . . you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life.

(Daniel 5:22-23 CSB)

Now, I’m no king. Don’t have a thousand friends to invite to a party, or access to expensive treasures from which to stuff my face and feed my ego. But I do have an old nature that can sometimes seduce me like too much wine. The intoxicating drink of self going to my head, opening a door for pride to take root by thinking that I’m in control and that I deserve some recognition. Forgetting that all that I am is due to the One who gives me breath, I can lose sight of the reality that anything that might be considered an accomplishment is by His grace alone. Prone to getting carried away with thinking that I have earned what I think is mine to be earned, instead of acknowledging that whatever I might have is to be stewarded for Another. I too can cross over the line. I too can be weighed, only to be reminded that I really don’t weigh all that much.

Honestly, I don’t want to come up short. I don’t want to be found wanting when it comes to acknowledging the favor of the Lord of heaven. I don’t want to be a lightweight.

O’, that my heart might be kept low as I seek to honor the God Most High. That I might humble my heart continually as I lift up His Name constantly.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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