The LORD of Hosts Has Purposed (A 2020 Rerun)

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Pete

I finish my readings this morning and sit back to digest. I flip the pages of my bible back through my readings and try and hear from the Spirit what I should chew on. Nothing’s coming. So, as I often do in these situations, I start flipping back in my online journal. I look at last year, 5 years ago, 10 years ago and at few years ago in between those. More often than not, I decided to meditate on the verses I’ve read in Hebrews 4 and the implications for entering the rest God has promised to the people of God. It’s a rest that we can fall short of (4:1). A rest that we need to believe in (4:3). A rest that God modeled (4:4). A rest that we can miss (4:5-7). A rest that, paradoxically, requires great effort on our part to rest in (4:11).

But then I scroll back to 2020, the year of reading Scripture through a pandemic filter, and that year I noodled on Isaiah 14 during my morning devo’s. And as I read that post again this morning, I’m reminded that Isaiah too has something to say about entering rest. God’s rest is found in knowing that God is sovereign.

Having rerun that post through my head a couple of times, I’m rerunning it here as well.

Before we take on another book of the Bible in September, we’re doing a mini-series at church, “Lessons Learned During Shelter in Place.” We’re two weeks into considering four lessons learned: Change is Hard; The Flesh is Real; Unity is Work; and God is Sovereign.

Pandemics have a way of forcing one out of one’s normal routine. Of learning new skills one never thought they needed to learn. Of adopting practices that are uncomfortable and dropping habits that for so long have defined stability. Change is Hard. But, as the Scriptures remind us, hard is used of God to train us “that we may share His holiness” (Heb. 12:10b). And, while it may be painful for the moment, hard has the potential to yield “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11b).

But the process of purification brought by hard, first reveals the dross, the impurities, the stuff we’d just as soon stayed hidden. These past several months have revealed that enduring, stubborn reality of the flesh — the sin nature still resident which wars against the Spirit. Put people in a pressure cooker and stuff starts coming to the surface. And I don’t need to look beyond myself in order to see the stuff and realize why sanctification is a thing. A very necessary thing. A sometimes slow, work-in-progress thing.

And when I’m dealing with my stuff and you’re dealing with your stuff and we see stuff differently, then we realize afresh that we really do need to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3a NIV). With our world turned upside down, and with very different views of how to deal with such a world and walk in such a world, we no longer have the luxury of relying on superficial, non-confrontational relationship as a facade for unity. Can’t just talk about sports when we “fellowship” — because, for a long time, there was no sports. Instead, we’re being forced to interact on other simple, straight forward things (not), like assessing appropriate COVID responses, determining how to deal with degrees of systemic injustice, and how to think about such things as peaceful protest which, so often, isn’t. Those topics of discussion will spark some animation around the dining room table.

It’s in light of those three lessons learned, those three operative realities, that the fourth lesson learned becomes so imperative. God is Sovereign. Reminded of that this morning in Isaiah.

The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand . . . “For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?

(Isaiah 14:24, 27 ESV)

Isn’t so much of the stress of this season related to areas where we feel powerless and out of control? I’m thinkin’. Things that we once did without a second thought are now almost impossible (small example . . . think crossing the border into Canada without an acceptable plan on how to quarantine for 14 days . . . been there, done that), and that can be frustrating. And we have no idea how long we’ll have to surrender control over these no-brainers. That adds a couple of points to the stress chart. And that’s just one small example. We all have enough of those kind of things adding up points on our stress charts.

But I’m reminded this morning as a I read in Isaiah (and it primes the pump of thinking through our mini-series in lessons learned), that our loss of control really is an opportunity for faith. That our piles of plans dumped on the trash heap can point us to the One whose plans never fail. That dealing daily with a lack of normalcy, is another day to thank God that what He has purposed will stand, and that nothing stands unless He has purposed it.

“For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?

It’s the bottom line for coping, isn’t it? The bottom line for hoping. The bottom line that keeps us trusting. The fuel that keeps us going. God is Sovereign.

For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

(Psalm 47:7-8 ESV)

Our God reigns!

The Lord of hosts has purposed. And it shall stand. And we can rest.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The LORD’s Lamp

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Pete

This morning, a proverb brings to mind a couple of psalms.

I think the proverb may have jumped off the page this morning because I don’t recall encountering it before when reading Proverbs. Turns out, I haven’t . . . at least not since I last read out of the NIV translation back in the ’90’s. Read the verse in the NKJV, NASB, or ESV and it looks pretty different. But this morning, I’m reading in the CSB and so, I’ll go with the CSB.

Here’s the proverb:

The LORD’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,
searching the innermost parts.

(Proverbs 20:27 CSB)

Here are the lines from the psalms which were brought to mind:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

(Psalm 119:105 AV)

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
lead me in the everlasting way.

(Psalms 139:23-24 CSB)

Not sure who wrote Psalm 119:105, but even though it’s been almost 40 years since the song came out, I still hear Amy Grant singing it. The word of God is a lamp. It is a light. Profitable for direction. Profitable too for protection. But as I’m reminded by this proverb, profitable also for detection.

Often, I think I’m tempted to open my bible as I would a textbook or a guidebook. But shouldn’t it also be interacted with as I would a mirror or, perhaps more accurately, a magnifying glass? If the word of God truly is “living and active”, if it really is “sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, . . . able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12) then shouldn’t this lamp also give light as to what’s really happening within? I’m thinkin . . . So too, apparently, is the proverb writer.

I’m thinking that we shouldn’t be surprised to experience a little (or maybe a lot of) discomfort during our devotions? Maybe not every day, but we shouldn’t be surprised if it happens on some days . . . maybe even most days. The LORD’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life.

And not so that we would wallow in discomfort, nor be overwhelmed by deficiency. Instead, that we might be directed afresh to the One who has dealt once-for-all with what is found when searching the innermost parts.

Jesus wants to present the church (aka us) to Himself “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.” And He’s chosen to do that by loving the church and giving Himself for the church to make her holy. And part of that process of being made holy involves Jesus “cleansing [the church] with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:25b-26).

The word, the LORD’s lamp. Shedding light on a persons life. Revealing stuff on the inside we don’t even know is on the inside. A lamp to our feet, a light to our path, but also a litmus test for our hearts.

That we would know afresh His overflowing grace. That we would want anew to give Him all-deserving glory.

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The Zeal of the LORD

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Pete

“He is jealous for me.” So begins John Mark McMillan’s 2005 song, “How He Loves.” Well known. Heart stirring. But true? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Reading in Isaiah again this morning. And I encounter the well-known “for unto us a Child is born” passage. So, I pull out my colored pencils and dutifully mark what this inspired text tells me about the Father, the Son, and the kingdom which already is and is yet to come. But it’s the promise at the end, the one I have to pull out my orange-colored pencil for, that captures my attention. So, this morning, I’m noodling on the zeal of the LORD.

For a Child will be born for us,
a Son will be given to us,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
The dominion will be vast,
and its prosperity will never end.
He will reign on the throne of David
and over his kingdom,
to establish and sustain it
with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7 CSB)

That last sentence is a promise, isn’t it? The zeal of the LORD of Armies WILL accomplish this.

Zeal. That’s what catches my attention. That’s what I’m chewing on. The LORD of heaven and all its hosts is a LORD of zeal. Our God is a zealous God.

Far from any view of a stoic, dispassionate, uninterested deity, God chooses to let us know in language which gives us some understanding (though not full comprehension) that He is a God who is passionate about certain things. To use a word not used much these days, He is ardent. Interested, active, desirous with burning desire. Our God is intense. He feels intensely, He loves intensely. He is intensely eager and enthusiastic. Did I mention that our God is a zealous God?

And looking at my handy-dandy, online lexicon, the root of the word used here has the idea of being envious or jealous, hence zealous. So, is our God a jealous God? Yeah, He is! Check out Exodus 20:5 and Exodus 34:14.

So, what’s God jealous about? What will the zeal of the LORD of Armies accomplish? This. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this.

This is the kingdom promised to David, a kingdom established and sustained with justice and righteousness forever. The zeal, the jealousy, of the LORD will accomplish this.

This is raising up the King of the kingdom. A Child born to us, a Son given. One who will forever be the ruling authority. Mighty God Himself. Eternal Father in undiminished essence. One not only with God the Father but also with God the Spirit, the Wonderful Counselor. Himself the Prince of Peace, the Author of Reconciliation. The zeal, the jealousy, of the LORD will accomplish this.

But go back to the beginning of Isaiah 9 and this is also me. Not me as in just me, only me, the individual me — but me as part of we.

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
a light has dawned
on those living in the land of darkness. . . .
For You have shattered their oppressive yoke . . .

(Isaiah 9:2-4a CSB)

While God is zealous for His kingdom, while the Father is zealous for the Son to rule over the kingdom, God is also zealous for those who will comprise the kingdom. Those who once walked in darkness but now have seen a great light. That’s us!

Those rescued from the oppressive yoke of the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the Son (Col. 1:13). Those who were called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9). Those who at one time were darkness but now are light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8). This is who we are. This is who we are becoming. This is who we will be.

And this is what the zeal of the LORD will accomplish. This work He has begun in us He will complete in us with ardent determination. This is the work He is zealous for. This is the work He is jealous for. And, if “me” is a part of “us” (and it is), then yes, John Mark, He is jealous for me.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Only by God’s amazing grace. Only for God’s awe-invoking glory.

Amen?

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Ruin and Recruitment

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Pete

A lament within the church for as long as I’ve been a believer has been that far too many of us in the family aren’t really in the game. That though we praise God for the benefits of new life, some of us seem to have taken a pass on dying to the old life. Rather than taking up our cross for the kingdom, we seem fixated on putting down our roots in this world.

This isn’t something new to our generation. Jesus recognized this propensity when He taught about laying up treasures in heaven rather amassing wealth on earth (Mt. 6:19-21). Or, when He pointed out that those who believe that the Master is coming soon will be marked as those who are busy with the Master’s work now (Lk. 19:12-26). Getting in the game has always been a thing, it seems, for the people of God.

So, what’s the secret sauce for those who heed the call? Based on my reading this morning in Isaiah 6, maybe, at least in part, it takes a little bit of ruin to respond to a little bit of recruiting.

Isaiah sees the LORD. The God who made all things is beheld by the prophet and He is seated on a throne, exalted above all things. And yet, this high and lofty God remains in touch with this humbled and lowly world, even as His robe fills the temple.

Isaiah hears the angels. They call to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Armies; His glory fills the whole earth.” And at the sound of their declaration, the ground shakes as the glory fills the room.

Isaiah then reacts to what He has seen and heard.

“Woe is me for I am ruined
because I am a man of unclean lips
and live among a people of unclean lips,
and because my eyes have seen the King,
the LORD of Armies.”

(Isaiah 6:5 CSB)

Ruined. Undone is how I learned it in my early days. To feel as though he should be cut off as he processes the chasm between God’s goodness and glory and his own shamefulness and sin. Coming face to face with the King results in falling on his own face with conviction and confession of sin. Isaiah’s ruined.

But that’s not the end of the story. Isaiah’s then recruited.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said:
Now that this has touched your lips,
your iniquity is removed
and your sin is atoned for.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking:
Who will I send?
Who will go for us?

I said:
Here I am. Send me.

(Isaiah 6:6-8 CSB)

Isaiah goes from “I am undone” to “Send me.” From “I’m as good as dead” (MSG), to I want to live for You. How come?

He has an encounter with the altar. Confession and conviction result in cleansing as he appropriates personally the coals of atoning sacrifice. His iniquity is removed. His ruined-ness is restored. And now he’s ready to hear and heed the call to get in the game.

And it makes me wonder if we struggle to really follow Jesus because we so rarely come to terms with our ongoing failure. If we don’t follow as we should because we’re so infrequently touched by the cleansing embers of Jesus’ sacrifice. That thinking ourselves better than we are we miss out on seeing God for how great He truly is and thus fail to know afresh the depths of His forgiveness and the abundance of His grace.

As I chew on it, I wonder if maybe a little more ruin would result in a little more recruitment.

Something to noodle on, I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Go or Overlook?

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Pete

Holy tension, Batman! That’s what I encountered this morning, some holy tension.

Forgiveness has been a preoccupying topic for me for the past several months. Have spent more than a little time on “Why Should I?” and “How Can I?” (thanx Tim Keller). Under the “how” banner, Matthew 18:15 has been coming up again and again and again.

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 18:15 CSB)

There it is. Pretty simple really. Been sinned against? Go deal with it. Not in a crowd. Not with the intent to seek justice or make sure someone get’s their comeuppance. But go to the one who you think sinned against you. Show them how they sinned against you, using biblical language help them see their transgression. And for what purpose? To win your brother. To be back in relationship.

Simple? Yup. Easy. Not so much. But, if as the people of God, we were more obedient to this command there’d be more sin dealt with and more authentic gospel community demonstrated. And there’d be less gossiping about how we’ve been wronged and less temptation to “make things right” by taking matters into our own hands.

So, necessary? Yup, again. Always necessary? According to something that jumped off the page this morning in Proverbs, not necessarily. Holy tension!

A person’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

(Proverbs 19:11 CSB)

Overlook an offense? What?!?

I don’t have to go face-to-face with everyone who I think has sinned against me? I don’t have to work it out one-on-one? I can just overlook an offense? In fact, it’s a virtue — it’s literally beauty, splendor, and glory — to just “forgive and forget” (MSG)? Apparently.

Brother!

Okay, so let’s not be too melodramatic. This isn’t totally new news. I am aware that such a precedent has been clearly set in the New Testament. After all, “love covers a multitude of sins” (1Pet. 4:8).

But how do I know when to go tell a brother and when not to?

Insight. Prudence. Discretion. Good sense. Understanding.

Think before acting and patience will be present. Be slow to anger and you might just discern that the best thing you can do, the most virtuous course of action will simply be to overlook an offense. Especially if you remember that the literal meaning of the word overlook is “to pass over.” Hmm . . . that sounds familiar.

Insight. Insight as to the provision provided for people’s sin, even sin against you. The blood of Jesus shed so that sin could be overlooked.

Then, remembering that you’ve been forgiven by God. And not just a little, but a lot. That insight is gonna help because if we’ve been forgiven much how can we not forgive others? In fact, to not forgive is wickedness according to Jesus (Mt. 18:32-33).

And then, believing that vengeance is the Lord’s (Rom. 12:19, Heb. 10:30). God’s gonna set things right. Unrepentant sin is going to be dealt with at the Bema Seat — the day will come when Jesus tests with fire our actions and our inactions. Or, perhaps, that day has already come. For if they do repent, whether you know about it or not, the price will already have been paid on the cross 2,000 years ago. Jesus’ blood sufficient for any and all sin, even sin committed against us — sin which we can overlook.

Insight. Wisdom. It’s kind of what Proverbs is all about. And, when it comes to a transgression against us, it’s what will direct us at to whether we should go to a brother or overlook an offense.

Only by God’s grace. Always for God’s glory.

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By Justice and By Righteousness

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Pete

It’s gonna happen literally some day. But, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts which are attuned, God’s working the same stuff metaphorically in our day. And whether now or then, it’s ultimately accomplished in the same manner — redemption comes by justice and by righteousness.

Therefore the LORD God of Armies,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
“I will turn My hand against you
and will burn away your dross completely;
I will remove all your impurities.
I will restore your judges to what they were at first,
and your advisers to what they were at the start.
Afterward you will be called the Righteous City,
a Faithful Town.”

Zion will be redeemed by justice,
those who repent, by righteousness.

(Isaiah 1:24a, 25-27 CSB)

Started in on Isaiah this morning. And Isaiah wastes no time as he starts in on the people of Judah and Jerusalem. A people, the LORD Almighty says, who have “rebelled against me”; who “do not understand”; who are “weighed down with iniquity”; a “brood of vipers, depraved children” who have abandoned, despised, and turned their backs on the Holy One of Israel (Isa. 1:2-4). So much for opening pleasantries.

And yet, before the end of the first chapter, the prophet speaks of a remedy for their malady, a fix for their failure. And it involves heat. The hand of God raised against them into a flame of judgment which will burn away the dross and remove all the impurities. Judgment that results in a great reversal of their rebellion and spiritual adultery. So much so that the welcome signs on the roads leading into town will be rewritten: “Welcome to Zion, the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.” For the heat of God’s raised hand will lead to repentance, and repentance to redemption. And that by justice and by righteousness. Some day. Some day soon, we think.

But what about today? What about the people of God today? What about our propensity to give into hearts which, though they’ve been made new, are still dealing with the enigma of being “more deceitful than anything else, and incurable” (Jer. 17:9 CSB)? What about our battle with the relentless allure and temptation to walk in the ways of the world around us? And what about the idols, oh the myriad of idols we’re prone to bow down to? And, more often than not, we fall into all these failures without even being aware of it?

“For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked'” ~ Jesus

(Revelation 3:17 CSB)

We need to recognize the heat. We need to be aware of the crucible. We need to pick up on the impurities being revealed and deal with the dross coming to the surface. And then, we need to repent. Do a 180. Agree with God. And, says the LORD God of Armies, you will be redeemed.

How? By justice and by righteousness.

The justice of the cross and the righteousness of the Crucified. The justice of sin’s debt paid in full through the shed blood of the Lamb of God, the righteousness found through the imputed nature of the Son of God. Confident in His finished work even as we are being conformed into His likeness.

The story of redemption to be played out someday is the same story of redemption being played out today. A little fire, a lot of heat, and those once forever delivered from the penalty of sin are daily and continually being delivered from the power of sin. The work of God begun in us (Php. 1:6), being completed by the forbearing kindness of God toward us (Rom. 2:4). And that, by justice and by righteousness.

Then, one day soon and very soon: “Welcome to Zion, the Righteous City, a Faithful Town.”

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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A Choice to Be Made

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Pete

Lot to pick from this morning. The “favor” (aka “grace”) theme which permeates Esther had me thinking about the book’s place within Scripture towards making Christ known. Or, when reading Philemon, pausing to consider what, for me, is usually an overlooked purpose of Paul’s ask of Philemon: that in receiving back Onesimus as a brother in Christ, Paul’s prayer for him would be answered as his “participation in the faith” would in fact “become effective” (Philemon 1:6).

But it’s three verses in Proverbs 17 which seem to link arms, hit home, and give me something to chew on this morning as they remind me of the importance of a choice to be made.

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.

The one who has knowledge restrains his words,
and one who keeps a cool head
is a person of understanding.

(Proverbs 17:9, 14, 27 CSB)

The offense is real. The transgression true. The sin certain. You are right to think that you’ve been wronged. So whaddya’ gonna do about it? There’s a choice to be made.

Today’s inclination is to go get justice ourselves. And, way too often these days, to do so in some public square. Tweet the tweet. Start the thread. Work the room, even if it’s a Zoom room. Let others know. Might be an acceptable approach in our current culture, but I’m reminded this morning, it’s not a loving approach. It’s not a gospel approach.

Rather than call it out, the Spirit says, “Conceal it.” Cover it up. Throw a blanket on it. Overwhelm the hurt with heart, a heart of love. ‘Cause if you don’t, “sharing it” separates friends. It divides and stirs up dissension. It forces others to pick a side, even when they’ve only heard one side.

And, too often, it starts a conflict. Releases a flood. Begins something that can’t be taken back, even if you wanted to. So, stop the dispute, says the Spirit, before it breaks out.

And a person who gets this, a person of understanding, will be a person who keeps a cool head and restrain his words even as he conceals an offense.

There’s a choice to be made when offended. Talk about it or conceal it. Stir it up and risk releasing a torrent, or keep it cool and bite your tongue.

But as I noodle on this, to not gossip is not a choice to just do nothing. For lesser transgressions, a multitude of them can be covered by love (1Peter 4:8). But for those that are more egregious, those that dig a little deeper, those that create wounds which are having problems healing, Jesus gave us the flip side of this “don’t gossip” coin. “Go,” He says.

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 18:15 CSB)

Sinned against? Offended? Then speak about it. But not to the peanut gallery. Instead, go tell him.

To make a choice not to gossip before many about an offense should also be the choice to go to the one who committed the offense. Rather than going public and telling others about how we’ve been wronged, we’re to remain private and talk about it to the one who wronged us — between you and him alone. The purpose? To win a brother. To restore a relationship. To dwell together in unity (which God loves, see Ps. 133:1-3). To not stir up trouble within the family (which God hates, Prov. 6:16-19).

So what about justice? That’s been taken care of on the cross . . . remember?

Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

(Ephesians 4:31-32 CSB)

Been wronged? Seems there’s a choice to be made.

Only by God’s grace. Ultimately for our good. Always for God’s glory.

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Captivated

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Pete

Back in the saddle after a quick round trip to New York State last week. Had the joy of hanging with some missionaries, had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some shepherds. I’m on the board of Village Missions and one of the “perks” afforded us is that they will make room for us to join one of their regional conferences where these servants of small churches in out of way places get away for a few days to rest, reconnect, and recharge. (If you’re unfamiliar with Village Missions, take 5 minutes and check out this video produced as part of us celebrating 75 years of ministry to rural America).

I’ve been using the CSB for my morning devo’s this year and a verse — actually, a word — I encountered in my reading is part of the reason why. Some fresh insight on a familiar passage has a way of igniting a renewed passion for some old, old truth.

Context? Luke’s just recorded Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as Jesus has set His face towards Calvary and the cup He must drink there. After what we refer to as His “Triumphal Entry” and weeping for the city that would reject Him, Jesus sets about cleaning house — His Father’s house. He disrupts the monetizing of the temple’s worship which had been sanctioned under the religious leaders’ greedy and self-serving oversight. This ticks the religious leaders off. Ya’ think? But the crowds aren’t there yet.

Every day He was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to kill him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.

(Luke 19:47-48 CSB)

The religious leaders were dissuaded from killing Jesus because all the people were captivated by Jesus.

Captivated. My ESV says they “were hanging on His words.” So do most of the other translations. The NKVJ says they “were very attentive to hear Him.”

The Greek word is only used once in the New Testament and, while the other translations may be more literal (i.e. the word means “to hang upon the lips of a speaker”), the CSB is . . . well, . . . more captivating.

Actually, it’s kind of convicting. Yeah, I get that all people should be captivated by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, the Creator of the Universe and the Savior of all mankind, but, if we’re honest with ourselves, too often we’re just not. Call it being too familiar; call it being too nonchalant or too unenthusiastic; or just call it what it probably is, being too hard-hearted. Regardless of what you call it, shouldn’t the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, Second Person of the Triune God, leave us captivated? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Every time I read His words shouldn’t I hang on them as if they were my life? I should, but I don’t. But I want to. I need to. Why wouldn’t I desire with the greatest of desire to be captivated?

I can’t power my way to being captivated, but I can yield my way to it. Holy Spirit, give me ears to hear as I read Your word. Jesus, teach me even as You live in me. Word of God speak.

“. . . for your servant is listening.” (1Samuel 3:10b CSB)

Captivated by Jesus’ teaching. All of it. Always.

That’s how it should be.

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Prize at This Time

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Pete

It hits me as another of those “Really?” sayings of Jesus. You know, I believe it because Jesus said it . . . but do I really believe it, because I’m not sure it’s really real.

Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed You.”

So [Jesus] said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more at this time, and eternal life in the age to come.”

(Luke 18:28-30 CSB)

Receive many times more at this time. Really? At this time?

I get the leaving all to follow Jesus. Not that I’ve had to do it, not that many of us (at least in this land) have had to do it, but that it’s clear that Jesus saw how needful it was to be willing to do it. After all, that’s what prompted this exchange between Peter and Him. Jesus had just told a guy who was pretty rich, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (Lk. 18:22)

And I get the reward in the age to come. Giving up your life here and now for the life that will never be lost there and then. Or, as Jesus told the rich young ruler, storing up treasure in heaven for withdrawal at a later date. More to come in the future? Counting on it.

But that those who would leave everything for the kingdom of God now would receive many times more now? Really?

I’ve always thought of this as the replacement of natural family left behind, because they refused to believe, with the spiritual family gained through the company of others who have decided to follow Jesus. A family of a few dozen, perhaps, replaced with a family of thousands and thousands throughout the world — brothers and sisters in Christ, the body of Christ.

But this morning, I’m wondering if there isn’t something more in view here. Something more than just family in mind. And it was my reading in 2Timothy which got me to wondering.

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.

(2Timothy 4:16-17a CSB)

Okay, here’s someone, Paul, who’s left everything to follow Jesus. And here he is towards the end of his life. And what does he have to show for it? Where are the things he received many times more at this time in exchange for all that he’s left over time?

Oh, he’s anticipating a “crown of righteousness” which “the Lord will give me on that day” (2Tim. 4:8), but that’s reward in the age to come. What about now? What about now in a Roman prison? What about now after a body repeatedly beaten over years of persecution? What about now after looking back and seeing your life as but being “poured out as a drink offering” (2Tim. 4:6). What about at this time when, having “fought the good fight” and having “finished the race”, there’s nobody there as you approach the finish line because, says Paul, “Everyone deserted me.” So, where’s the many times more at this time?

The Lord stood with me.

There it is, says Paul this morning.

I left my family. But the Lord stood with me. I left my religion. But the Lord stood with me. I left the comfort of my rank and position. But the Lord stood with me. I left safety and security. But the Lord stood with me.

The Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity. God and fully God who created all things and sustains all things. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords who rules from on high today and will one day take His throne on earth and then, in the new heavens and new earth. The Lord stood with me.

The Lord. Immanuel. God in flesh. The Lamb of God come to pay the debt for my sin which I could never repay. The One who loved me and loved me to death (literally) so that I might have life. The One risen from the dead, ascended into heaven. The Son of God is with me at this time.

That’s the prize, says Paul! Jesus is the prize!

That’s how I am to do the accounting. Jesus is the many times more at this time. He is the fulfillment of the promise which makes being willing to leave it all behind in order to follow Him palatable, and more than palatable, incalculably profitable.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Thro’ eternal years the same.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Saviour watching o’er me,
I can sing, tho’ billows roll.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then thro’out my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
In His cross my trust shall be;
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

The Lord stands with me. That’s the prize at this time.

Oh, the richness and abundance of His abiding grace.

To God be the glory.

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The Corruption of a Commendable Covenant

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Pete

Connecting some dots this morning between two of my readings.

In Nehemiah, it’s the written, officially sealed, binding agreement of a people taking an oath of obedience. In Luke, it’s the story of a wince-invoking, offensively sanctimonious, boastful assertion of a person who thinks they’ve aced their oath of obedience.

And it’s giving me something to chew on. How did it get from point A to point B, and what can be done to avoid it? What’s at the heart of the corruption of a commendable covenant?

The context for my Nehemiah 10 reading is the fasting and prayer of Nehemiah 9. There, the people are led to reconsider God’s creation of all things, His selection of Abram, His redemption of Israel, and His protection in the wilderness (Neh. 9:1-15). Only to be met by their ancestors’ rejection of His commands and statutes. Eventually to result in their ejection from the land (Neh. 9:16-37). But now, they are back. Now, they determine to live out a different legacy and they formalize that determination in writing (Neh. 9:38). Cue Nehemiah 10.

Those whose seals were on the document [and] . . . The rest of the people ​— ​the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, and temple servants, along with their wives, sons, and daughters, everyone who is able to understand and who has separated themselves from the surrounding peoples to obey the law of God ​— ​join with their noble brothers and commit themselves with a sworn oath to follow the law of God given through God’s servant Moses and to obey carefully all the commands, ordinances, and statutes of the LORD our Lord.

(Nehemiah 10:28-29 CSB)

Commit and obey . . . for there’s no other way. Sounds good. And yet, there’s a foreboding sense in this. For those who have “read ahead”, a nagging something about the taking of oaths that sounds an ominous warning (Matt. 5:34, James 5:12, Prov. 20:25). Now cue Luke 18.

[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people ​— ​greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other . . .

(Luke 18:9-14a CSB)

Sounds like the Pharisee was obedient. Sounds like he took seriously his great, great, great, grandfathers’ oath to commit fully and obey carefully. And yet, he’s put forward here by Jesus as a bad example of committing fully. He is weighed in the balance and shown to be coming up short in obeying carefully. How come?

One possible answer? Nehemiah’s written oath after rebuilding the walls around the temple, though containing a lot of “we will’s” and “we will not’s”, failed to account for any of Solomon’s “when we’s” prayed at the dedication of the temple (1Kings 8:22-53). Note to self: self-determination — even when it’s a holy determination — can only take you so far. At some point “we will obey all things”, if we’re honest with ourselves, ends up with “we have sinned in way too many things.” And if there’s no place to deal with the “when we’s” then a commendable covenant can become a corrupted covenant. A sincere oath becomes an arrogant, self-delusional prayer.

Thank God that we are like other people. Sinners saved by grace always in need of mercy.

Thank God for the cross! Praise the Father for sending the Son to deal with all our “when we’s” even as we try to walk in our desire to be true to our determined “we will’s”.

How we need to find our place in the shadow of Calvary on a regular basis. How we need the blood of Jesus for when we fail — even as we seek to obey.

By His grace. For His glory.

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