God at Gibeon (2018 Rerun)

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Pete

Slept in this morning. Time to read, not much time to process, even less time to type. But what grabbed me this morning in 1Kings is something I chewed on a bit 5 years ago. Rerunning that post for this morning’s encouragement.

If he had been in Major League Baseball, his .500 batting average would have been record setting and unprecedented. But stack him up against other followers of God and as a following God average, it kind of stinks.

That’s the thought that comes to mind as I read of Solomon’s start at being king. And maybe that’s why I’m chewing on the fact that God met with Solomon–and blessed Solomon big time–in Gibeon.

I start in on 1Kings 3, and I observe four things in the first four verses:

  1. Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. A swing and a miss! What’s he doing marrying a foreign woman? Forbidden. Come out and be separate, says the Lord. Don’t mess with unequal yokes. Especially when it’s with the world from which you were delivered by God’s mighty hand.
  2. Solomon loved the Lord. Home run! That’s what we’re talking about. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might. This is looking promising.
  3. Solomon walked in the statutes of David his father. Attaboy! Now we’re batting .666 (ok, so maybe that’s a bit foreboding in itself . . . whatever). David was a man after God’s own heart and, if the son was going to be like his father, then things are looking favorable for Israel’s king.
  4. Yet he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. The king went to Gibeon to offer his sacrifices. But the ark is in Jerusalem! Sacrificing at high places was a pagan practice. Right action, wrong venue. Popup foul fly–easily caught for the out. Batting .500. Great, if he’s hitting balls with a stick. Perhaps not so great, at least to my judgmental way of thinking, for someone who “supposedly” loves the Lord.

Good thing I’m not the scorekeeper. Game would be over for Solomon. For so many others. For me!

But here’s what grabbed me this morning:

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.”

(1Kings 3:5 ESV)

God meets with Solomon at Gibeon . . . the “hill city” . . . the high place. Despite Solomon’s forbidden alliance with the world and his misdirected worship at Gibeon, God appears to Solomon and says, “Ask. Seek Me. I’m prepared to bless you.”

And it sets up one of the greatest passages in all of Scripture. Solomon, rather than asking for long life, instead of wanting riches and prosperity, above all the ease that would have been his if his enemies were removed, Solomon humbly asks for wisdom and discernment to lead God’s people well. And “it pleased the Lord” (3:10).

Batting 500 on my scorecard. But God is delighted in His servant.

Where I might have written off Solomon because of his poor entrance scores, God, in His abundant grace, meets with the would be king where he’s at. And I think it’s because Solomon truly loved the Lord.

While some of his actions might have been misdirected, his heart desired His God above all things. His longed to be faithful more than he wanted to be set up to be famous. He loved God. God loved Solomon. And, though somewhat out of context, “love covers a multitude of sins” (1Pet. 4:8).

And then I read this:

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.

(1Kings 3:15 ESV)

God met with Solomon in Gibeon, then Solomon went up to Jerusalem to worship. God blessed Solomon abundantly where he was at, then Solomon went to where he should have been. Jerusalem wasn’t a requirement; it was a response.

How prone am I to think that I must do, and then God will bless. That if I walk in a manner worthy, only then will God accept my worship. Not saying that we shouldn’t seek to obey, just that I’m so glad God’s not keeping score the way I might before meeting me where I am.

After all, it’s not about keeping score, it’s about loving God.

Not about how well I perform, but that He so loved me that He sent His Son to redeem me, and His Spirit to seal me, and His Word to transform me by the renewing of my mind.

And in that, He will meet me even when I fall short. And in His kindness, lead me to repentance. And through the finished work of the cross, and by the shed blood of His Son, forgive my sin when I confess my sin–cleansing me from all unrighteousness.

Not because of who I am or how good my batting average is.

But because of His abundant grace. And always for His all-deserving glory.

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I Can’t Even Walk . . .

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Pete

Oh, that it were a “just do it” sort of thing. That obedience was solely a matter of the will. That walking in the way was what you did by default once you set your heart on the way. But it doesn’t work like that, does it? Loving and learning the Scriptures alone isn’t enough when it comes to properly directing our steps. For, as an old southern gospel song reminds me, “I can’t even walk, without You holding my hand.“

This morning, it’s back to the A,B,C’s . . . actually it’s back to the Aleph, Beth, Gimel’s. Began reading in Psalm 119, the psalm that outsizes all other psalms. 176 verses parsed into 22 stanzas of 8 verses each. Each sentence in each stanza beginning with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet, each stanza working its way through the Hebrew alphabet from Aleph to Taw. Yet, each stanza focused on the same grand theme, the multi-faceted glories of God’s word and the child of God’s call to walk according to His word. And this morning, right out of the gate, a reminder: I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

The songwriter begins with how “happy”, or how “blessed” are those who are blameless because they obey His decrees. Those who keep from doing wrong because they are too busy walking in His ways. Those who seek Him with all their heart and thus have set their hearts to learn His righteous judgments. But then, in the middle of this song of desired obedience, a chorus of intense longing.

If only my ways were committed
to keeping Your statutes!

(Psalms 119:5 CSB)

A pause for self-assessment. A deep sigh of longing. An acknowledgment of great need. I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

Even the heart set steadfastly on His word is prone to wander. The will given sincerely over to His will, still swayed by self-will. The living sacrifice, placed by itself on the altar, has an innate tendency to want to wiggle off the altar. While happy are those who walk according to the LORD’s instructions, needful are they as well.

Needful of an abiding, constant, inner work which daily renews commitment to His statutes. Needful of a limitless store of abounding, heaven-supplied grace ready to recalibrate the good intentioned pilgrim when they wander from the way. Needful of an ever-flowing fountain, drawn from Immanuel’s veins, from which our continuing need of forgiveness is met, and our sin-tainted souls are again cleansed from all unrighteousness. Needful of a faithful, loving Father ready to intervene again and again in order to complete the work He has begun in those He has called to be His children. Ready to help them in their desire to know the blessedness of obedience.

If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! They are, O Lord, help Thou my lack of commitment. For I can’t even walk without You holding my hand.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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He Is Our Song (2013 Remix)

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Pete

Not much wiggle room this morning. The songwriter doesn’t really provide a pass for anyone of the household of faith.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
Let Israel say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”

(Psalm 118:1-4 CSB)

God is good. Fact! His faithful love endures forever. Fact! Let those who fear the Lord say so. Command!

Let the redeemed proclaim it. Let the recipients of abundant, overflowing, all-sufficient grace declare it to be true. No wiggle room here. No saying, “Not today, don’t feel like it.”

It’s not about how we feel. And it’s not about our circumstances. But its all about His unchanging character. For He is good.

And what grabs me this morning in this psalm is that He Himself provides all the “material” I need to say so . . . or, to sing so.

The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation.
There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the righteous.

(Psalms 118:14-15 CSB)

The LORD is my song!

In Him is the melody. In Him are all the chord progressions and lyrics I need. In Him are the verses, the chorus, and even the repeat-it-over-and-over-and-over-again bridge.

Because I am in Christ, glad songs are in me, in my tent. The shouts of joy and victory present even in times of struggle and battle. His Spirit within me is the band leading me in worship, providing the accompaniment, and connecting the praise of earth to the throne of heaven.

He is my song! Oh, what a glorious thought to chew on to begin the day.

I’ll let another, far more eloquent than I, take it from here . . .

“The Lord … is my song,” says Isaiah (12:2). That is to say, the Lord is the giver of our songs. He breathes the music into the hearts of His people; He is the Creator of their joy. The Lord is also the subject of their songs. They sing of Him and of all that He does on their behalf. The Lord is, moreover, the object of their song; they sing to the Lord. Their praise is meant for Him alone. They do not make melody for human ears, but to the Lord. “The Lord … is my song.” Then I ought always to sing. And if I sing my loudest, I can never reach the height of this great argument, nor come to the end of it. This song never changes. If I live by faith my song is always the same, for “the Lord … is my song.” Our song to God is God Himself. He alone can express our intensest joy. O God, You are my exceeding joy. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are my hymn of everlasting delight. — Spurgeon

The LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever. Let those who fear the LORD say so. Let them sing so.

He is our song! Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Our Identity

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Pete

Identity. It gets a lot of play these days. Who am I? What am I? Am I what I think I am? Or am I something other than I think I am? Such confusion.

This morning, I’m grateful for some grounding in a single statement that reminds me who I am.

Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.

(Galatians 4:28 CSB)

Like Isaac, I am a child of promise. Born not because of his parents’ virility or fertility — in fact his dad was so old he was a good as dead and his mom’s womb had been barren for most of a century (Rom. 4:19). But “born as a result of the Spirit” (Gal. 4:29). Born not of man’s will (Jn. 1:12-13) but because of God’s promise that children from dead beginnings would be born unto eternal life. I’m a child of promise.

But I am not an only child. I have brothers. I have sisters. And we are children of promise.

To be overly focused on who I am misses the greater calling as to who we are — a family. A family born of the Spirit, living by the Spirit, “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3a). Born again as individuals but knit together as family “so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens” Eph. 3:10). Born of promise. Born to make much of the Promiser.

Sometimes it’s good to remember who I am. Especially if it causes me to remember who we are.

It’s not just about Me. In fact, my identity is fully realized only in the context of our identity.

We are children of promise.

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Submitting to God’s Permissive Will

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Pete

If I’m honest with myself, I’m prone to “kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). Not like Paul who persecuted followers of the risen Christ despite all the evidence he was aware of which testified of a risen Christ. Instead, I recognize a part of me which instead of acting like a submissive sheep being lead by his Shepherd, too often acts more like a stubborn mule resisting the pointed prodding of God’s will. Like one who, despite the reality of reality, wants to operate under a different reality.

Now, I’m not talking so much about the stuff prescribed explicitly according to His inspired word. Nor am I thinking about the stuff that is received in answer to our needful prayers. Instead, sometimes it’s the stuff which God simply allows to happen that I struggle with. More than once I’ve found myself in a tug-of-war with God’s permissive will. That, despite believing God is sovereign and thus all things are according to His providential will, it’s somehow less the will of God than His prescribed will and so it’s okay for me to try and resist it.

This morning David (or it could have been the Spirit) was both my convicter and my comforter.

Context? Absalom has won the hearts of the people and declared himself king — and Jerusalem ain’t big enough for two kings, so David’s effectively run out of town (2Sam. 15). As he flees with his entourage “a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul”, Shimei, comes out and from the sidelines derides and curses David as he passes by. He purports to speak for the Lord declaring the coup was deserved by David for taking Saul’s throne (not true, by the way). Eventually, after yelling curses and throwing stones at David & Co., one of David’s soldiers has had it and is read to take action. But it’s David’s response which takes action on my heart.

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and remove his head!”

The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?'” Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life ​— ​how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to.”

(2Samuel 16:9-11 CSB)

If God is sovereign, and He is; if God is overall and nothing happens on earth without it first passing through His fingers in heaven, and it doesn’t; then, while God would never curse the one He had hand-picked and anointed to be king over Israel, and while He would not capriciously determine that David should somehow be made to pay for sins which God had already determined to put away as far as the east is from the west, because God had permitted Shimei to curse David, David knows that God might as well have actually told Shimei to curse him. Not justifying Shimei’s sin, not validating his unrighteous behavior (Shimei would suffer the consequences later); yet, though not God’s will by precept or command (Ex. 22:28), David regarded Shimei’s slander as God’s will nevertheless. And so, even if it was but God’s will because God had permitted it, David would purpose not to kick against the goads.

Instead, David would submit to God’s permissive will. In disgrace he would flee. And in humility he would look to God alone for mercy and justice.

“Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”

(2Samuel 16:9-12 CSB)

God’s permissive will is still God’s will. Mine isn’t to resist it, but with a heart submitted to God to navigate it. Mine isn’t to whine about what seems unjust, but to walk in a way that honors the One who will bring all things to light in His time in order to fulfill His purposes. Mine is to trust in God. To trust not only in His will as prescribed through His inspired word, but to trust also in His will as permitted by His sovereign hand.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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A Gospel Easter Egg

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Pete

In the MCU they are called “Easter Eggs.” In the bible it’s foreshadowing.

Huh?

MCU = Marvel Cinematic Universe. The increasing catalog of superhero films and shows produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel comics. I haven’t watched all of them, but I’ve watched enough to kind of know the major themes running through a lot of the story lines. But I’m not so familiar with them that I can spot the “Easter Eggs” they contain.

Easter Eggs? Yeah, that’s the term used for hidden references, clues, or inside jokes within a movie or show, detected only by diehard fans, which refer to another movie or show or storyline. Think of it as a cinematic “Where’s Waldo” where Waldo could be anything from any other MCU movie. I never spot Waldo.

But I am kind of a diehard fan of the Bible. And it contains it’s own sort of “Easter eggs.” Hidden references to great truths in places you might not expect them. Case in point? A gospel Easter egg within the story of Absalom, son of king David.

Context? After Absalom murders his half-brother, Ammon, because Ammon raped Absalom’s sister, Tamar, he flees from his father, David, hiding out in Gershur for three years (2Sam. 13). How’s that for a dysfunctional family and a twisted plot — a dark buffet which puts on the table the wickedness of man’s heart and the evil of sin? But in the midst of it, there’s an Easter egg.

A confidant of David knows how much David misses his son, Absalom, and so he hires a lady to tell David a fictitious story about her two sons who had a fight, one killing the other. She pleads with David to intervene on behalf of her surviving son and rescue him from her clan who want to put him to death for his crime. With the heart of a father, David promises this grieving mother that he will not allow the avenger of blood to increase her grief. “As the LORD lives,” David vowed, “not a hair of your son will fall to the ground” (2Sam. 14:1-11).

And then the woman drops the charade and tells David that her made-up story of her sons is really a parable about David and his sons. And she asks David why he would intervene on her fake son’s behalf but not for his own son?

The woman asked, “Why have you devised something similar against the people of God? When the king spoke as he did about this matter, he has pronounced his own guilt. The king has not brought back his own banished one. We will certainly die and be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; He would devise plans so that the one banished from Him does not remain banished.”

(2Samuel 14:13-14 CSB)

There! There’s the Easter egg! There’s the “New Testament” gospel hidden in an Old Testament story. God would devise plans so that the one banished from Him does not remain banished.

I know that plan! It’s the cross! It’s the Lamb of God, come to take away the sin of the world. It’s Immanuel, God with us, the Mediator between God and man, the One who through His own once for all sacrifice made possible eternal reconciliation.

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace.

(Ephesians 2:13-14a CSB)

I may not be enough of an MCU fan to spot the Easter eggs in their movies, but by the Spirit’s enabling I sometimes spot the hidden glories of the GCU (God’s Covenantal Universe) within my bible.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Failure and Reproof

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Pete

It really must have been an incredible moment. Paul in a face-to-face confrontation with Peter (Gal. 2:11) in front of everyone (v.14).

Paul wasn’t setting himself in opposition to the “impetuous Peter” of the gospels, but the Pentecost preaching Peter of Acts. The Peter arrested by the temple police for healing and heralding within the temple courts the good news of the gospel — that the risen Christ had not only made a lame man whole physically, but spiritually as well, and this by faith. The Peter who stood before the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem and, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declared the one name under heaven given to people by which they must be saved — the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The Peter who confronted Ananias and Sapphira for their duplicity — that they had lied to God — and presided over their divinely decreed removal from earth. The Peter who had seen heaven opened up so much so that he went to the house of a Gentile to proclaim the good news delivered to the Jews, baptizing him and his family when they too believed and received the Holy Spirit.

Did I mention it must have been an incredible moment when Paul condemned (CSB) Peter face-to-face in front of everyone?

And how come?

For [Peter] regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

(Galatians 2:12-13 CSB)

I’m gripped this morning by Peter’s failure. Not in a “how could he?” way, but more in a “how could I not?” way. If Peter, who had seen what he had seen, experienced what he had experienced, triumphed in the ways he had triumphed, and boldly walked with Christ in the ways he had boldly walked with Christ, if this Peter could have still succumbed to the fears and weakness of the flesh, why would I think I could not or would not?

Peter knew better, but in this instance, he didn’t act in accordance with what he knew. Whatever the dynamics created by those who “came from James”, it caused Peter to walk in a manner inconsistent with his message. Thus, given what was at stake, in front of everyone Paul reproved the brother for “he was clearly out of line” (MSG).

What a grief — Peter’s failure. What a gift — Paul’s rebuke. If I’m honest with myself, I’m so prone towards the former. And if I’m equally honest with myself, it’s so hard to do the latter. But both are the way of a gospel community who are still a work-in-progress, who are still an unblemished bride in the making. There will be uncharacteristic failure and, for the sake of the gospel, it will require courageous fixing.

That’s why, later in this letter, Paul’s gonna write about that reality.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

(Galatians 6:1-2 CSB)

We fulfill the law of Christ when we address the wrongdoing of our siblings in Christ. We carry others’ sin burden knowing well ourselves the weight of the daily battle with the old nature. God uses those who would be like Paul to restore those who unfortunately have been like Peter so that the body of Christ might reflect the beauty of the gospel in action.

Failure and reproof. I’m thinking it’s part and parcel of doing authentic Christian community together — for the sake of the gospel.

This too, by His grace. This too, for His glory.

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A Seat at the Table (2009 Remix)

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Pete

Undoubtedly his father had great hopes for him. Like father like son, he envisioned him to be a great man of God. As was the norm, dad named him in accordance with that aspiration; he would be called “Exterminator of Idols” or “Dispeller of Shame.” His name was built around a verb, thus he would be a man of action, a godly man of action. Just as his father had bravely withstood the Philistines and repelled their aggression and their gods, so too, the boy would stand fast and stand firm for the things of God. A mighty warrior. A “dispeller of shame.”

But how things change. That day was absolute chaos. The boy’s father and his grandfather had gone up to battle against the Philistines and both were killed on the battlefield. The army of Israel falling like flies, the enemy advancing, it was time for the people to flee. The boy, now five years old, was taken up by his nanny and she ran for their lives. But as she ran, she tripped. The boy flew out of her arms, crashing to the ground and severely injuring both feet (2Sam. 4:4). There was no treating the broken bones. No setting them back in place so that they would heal properly. The damage was done, and it would be permanent. The boy destined for action was now a cripple — lame in both feet (2Sam. 9:13). Once the grandson of a mighty king of Israel, once the hope of his father’s legacy, now not only an orphan within a dethroned royalty, but also unable to walk. Unable to care for himself much less be a “dispeller of shame.” In fact, his was life was destined to be marked by shame.

The boy’s name? Mephibosheth.

Years later the boy is now a young man. A crippled young man. And a new king enters into the young man’s life. A king determined to show kindness to the man, the kindness of God (2Sam. 9:3). Not that the the young man deserved it. Not that he could repay anyone for any kindness shown him, but it was kindness to be shown for the sake of another (2Sam. 9:1). The young man wasn’t aware that he had a benefactor. He wasn’t out seeking him. Instead, the king sent for the young man (2Sam 9:5). When he arrived, he did what men should do before a king, he bowed and prostrated himself (2Sam. 9:6). With fear and trembling he bowed before this king, the same king whom his grandfather had hated and had sought to kill. The king who had the power to destroy this last descendant of Saul who could contest the throne. Yet, the king at whose feet he lay was also the one his father had loved with a love which was “wonderful, surpassing the love of women” (2Sam. 1:26).

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.”

(2Samuel 9:7 CSB)

Oh, what marvelous grace! God’s kindness shown through the king. Kindness not shown because of his worthiness but for the sake of another. The land as an inheritance, great wealth given to one unable to earn even a day’s wage. But beyond the wealth, a place at the king’s table. Four times that fact is mentioned in the account. The man lame in both feet would have that shame covered as those feet were placed by another under the king’s table. He would sit at the place of honor. He would eat at the table “just like one of the king’s sons” (2Sam. 9:11). Not just a single seating at this place of honor, not only when he found favor in the king’s sight, but this was to be his place continually. Always. This was the love-fueled will and the sovereign decree of the king once and for all. What restoration! What exaltation! What amazing grace!

And every time I encounter this amazing story of amazing grace, I can’t help but see in that man with the crippled feet, this man sitting in this chair. I can’t help but identify with this one who was once of an enemy lineage opposed to the King. I can’t help but envision myself facedown before the mighty King only to hear, “Do not fear, I am going to show you God’s kindness. Not because You deserve it, but for the sake of another. For the sake of One who purchased your freedom — and I am that One. I will bless you with spiritual wealth beyond your understanding, every blessing in heavenly places will be deposited to your account. But beyond that, I have reserved a place for you at My table. As a son and heir, you will have full rights to dine at the table. Your defects will be covered. Your lame feet hidden. As far as the east is from the west, it will be remembered no more. For in My sight and in My presence, you are whole, and you are wholly accepted.”

“. . . and you will always eat meals at My table.”

I can’t help but marvel afresh that I have a seat at the table!

Only by His grace.

Only for His glory.

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God of My Praise

Posted on May 9, 2023 by Pete

Psalm 109 is a song written by one who had known betrayal. It is a psalm of David and David knew what it was to be betrayed.

That it is messianic, pointing to Christ, is evident from verse 25 (see Mt. 27:39).

I have become an object of ridicule to my accusers;
when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.

(Psalms 109:25 CSB)

That it was meant to foreshadow the Son’s betrayer, Judas, is clear as well as the Spirit moved Peter to quote verse 8 (see Acts 1:20).

Let his days be few;
let another take over his position.

(Psalms 109:8 CSB)

But for all the poignancy of the passage, what grabs me this morning are the words which begin this sad song.

God of my praise, do not be silent.

(Psalms 109:1 CSB)

God of my praise. You’re not going to find that exact phrase anywhere else in the bible but here. And that it would be here, in this sort of song, is worth chewing on.

What if I began more of my prayers with God of my praise? What if, regardless of the circumstance, I grounded my petitions with the reminder that my God is the God worthy of exaltation always. Full stop.

God of my praise because of His redeeming grace experienced in the past. God of my praise because of His sure promises for the future. God of my praise because He is ready, willing, and able to rescue me in the present — “because Your faithful love is good” (Ps. 109:21).

Worthy of praise just because. Just because He is God. Just because He is good.

God of my praise only by His grace.

God of my praise only for His glory.

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Pleasure in Insults

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Pete

Chewing on some well recognized verses in 2Corinthians this morning. I say “well recognized” rather than “well known” because I think it’s going to take a lifetime to really “know’ these verses. ‘Cause just when you think you’ve gone through what should make these verses known, you go through something else which makes you realize how little you really knew these verses.

Verses about power and pleasure. The power known through diverse sufferings, and the “pleasure” of going through diverse sufferings in order to know the power.

Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2Corinthians 12:8-10 CSB)

So I take pleasure in . . . insults . . . for the sake of Christ. That’s what caught my eye.

Paul knew what it was to be insulted. He knew what it was to suffer mental injury due to others’ insolence, due to others’ disrespectful and vitriolic behavior. He knew what it was to be unfairly accused and have his integrity not only questioned but cut to shreds. And this, not for anything he did for personal gain, but for what he had sought faithfully to discharge for the sake of Christ.

Me? I’m tempted to want a pound of flesh for such insults. Paul? He would take pleasure in them. He’d be content (ESV) with them. He’d be well-pleased and favorably inclined toward them. How come? So that Christ’s power may reside in me . . . for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Grace sufficient for our physical weakness? I get that. Christ’s power known as we endure hardships, persecutions, and other difficulties? Makes sense. But grace sufficient for insults? Another type of opportunity to know the power of the Christ in me through painful reproaches towards me? Apparently.

If that’s the case — and it is — then this form of weakness, insulted for what you thought you were doing for Jesus, is something to “boast” in as well. Another opportunity, though painful, to know Christ in me at a next level. Another circumstance, another season to come to terms with my great need and His all-surpassing power which is more than adequate to meet such need. Thus, would I say with Paul, “So I take pleasure in insults for the sake of Christ.“

Only by His all-sufficient grace. Only for His all-deserving glory.

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