Adoration Connected to Donation

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Pete

Hovering over some verses in Deuteronomy this morning which put a bit of a different lens on how we might think about our giving to the Lord.

“Each year you are to set aside a tenth of all the produce grown in your fields. You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and fresh oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, in the presence of the Lord your God at the place where He chooses to have His name dwell, so that you will always learn to fear the Lord your God. . . . You are to feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice with your family.

(Deuteronomy 14:22-23, 26b CSB)

When’s the last time I heard a sermon on “Tithing — A Way to Learn to Fear the Lord your God”? Never. How about “Tithing — A Way to Rejoice with Your Family”? Uh, not that one either.

Hmm . . .

Not enough time this morning to rethink or restate a theology of giving a tenth to the Lord, but for some reason (a Holy Spirit reason?), this passage popped and has given me something to noodle on.

They were not only to take a tenth into the presence of the Lord, they were to eat of it in the presence of the Lord. The didn’t just drop it off at the door, didn’t just mail in a check, didn’t just sign up for auto-payment, but they were to do something that consciously connected themselves to giving back to the Lord a portion of that which the Lord had first given to them.

Tithing was to be helpful in learning to fear the Lord. Perhaps not evoking “reverential awe” as much as a regular responsive appreciation. Not only a reminder of their dependence on the Lord for what was harvested, but also igniting a delight in the Lord for the abundance they enjoyed. Their giving being less an obligation for what they had received at God’s hand, and more of a celebration at God’s faithfulness and goodness. Their tithe was to be anything but “out of sight, out of mind” as it was to again bring in view, and bring to mind the abundant provision of God.

Their tithe was to be an impetus for a family affair — to feast in the presence of the Lord and to rejoice with their family. Far from a reluctant parting of a tenth off the top, it was to be an excuse for a party. The whole family partaking in giving to God a portion of what He had first given to them. Dad, mom, brother and sister, all together acknowledging the goodness of God in the giving of their wealth.

Like I said, hmm . . .

How connected am I to my giving?

How can I ensure that every time I drop that envelope in the plate, or have that automatic withdrawal taken from my account, that it in some way brings me into the presence of the Lord, continuing to learn to fear Him as I continue to learn to love Him, even as I rejoice with my family in Him?

Seems to me I may be wasting an opportunity to grow in adoration if I’m not mindful of, nor connected to my donation.

Something to chew, I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Deuteronomy | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

For Your Own Good

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Pete

Honestly, as I think back over those first years (decades?) of being born again, I wonder how much I thought obedience was just the “price” I had to pay for heaven? That it was the “quid” expectation of my life here and now for the “pro quo” of God’s gift of eternity. Maybe not the best view of obedience to have.

Over time, the “obligation” of obedience morphed into the “response” of obedience. I obeyed not just because I had to but obeyed because I wanted to. After all, Jesus gave His life for me, shouldn’t I, in return, give my life to Him? Yes. For sure? For all that Jesus did for me, it was the least I could do for Him, right? For how much He loved me, my obedience was a small token expressing the love I had for Him. A better approach to obedience, I think.

But something I read in Deuteronomy this morning makes me think there might be an even better and sustaining motive for wanting to walk in God’s ways.

Keep the Lord’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.

(Deuteronomy 10:13 CSB)

How’s that for a reason to obey? For your own good.

Obedience is then the out-working of believing that, having been designed and wired by the Creator, the Creator knows how to “optimize” that design and wiring for living life. That because He made us He understands us — better than we understand ourselves — and knows the walk that will allow us to “have life and have it in abundance” (Jn. 10:10).

Okay, maybe you’re thinking, “That’s sounds like a somewhat selfish reason for obedience. For my good? For my quality and fullness of life? Shouldn’t we obey for God’s glory?”

Yup, we should. But what if for our good and for God’s glory aren’t mutually exclusive? What if it’s not an either / or proposition? What if for our good is integrally and intrinsically connected with for God’s glory? What if “life in abundance” makes known the God who loves in abundance and graces in abundance?

I was also reminded in Deuteronomy this morning that Moses prayed repeatedly for God’s mercy toward His rebellious people, arguing that to “destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven” (Dt. 9:14) would discredit the name of the God who had delivered Israel from Egypt, “lest the land from which you brought us say, ‘ . . . the LORD was not able to bring them into the land that He promised them'” (Dt. 9:28). Entering the promised land and prospering as a people of promise would magnify the power of the God of promise to save, and to save to the uttermost. Their good would ultimately be for God’s glory.

So, we should seek to walk in obedience.

For our own good.

And that, for God’s glory.

And only by God’s grace.

Yes?

Posted in Deuteronomy | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

What Jesus Could Have Prayed

Posted on March 14, 2023 by Pete

Hovering over Matthew 26 this morning and a garden. A garden called Gethsemane, born of another garden, Eden. A garden of obedience made necessary because of a garden of disobedience. A garden of divine prayer, God’s response to a garden of human pride.

And as I chew on it, I imagine what Jesus could have prayed.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me . . . provide Me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels.” 

(Matthew 26:36-39a, 53b CSB)

Peter pulled a sword when they came to arrest Jesus (Mt. 26:51, Jn. 18:10), a single sword. Jesus could have called 72,000 angels. With a whisper He could have beckoned a football stadium of mighty, spiritual warriors. With a word to His Father, Gethsemane could have been flooded with a cohort of 6,000 heavenly beings to protect Jesus, along with eleven other cohorts, one to stand fast for each of His disciples.

“Father, let ’em have it!” That’s what Jesus could have prayed.

But that’s not what Jesus prayed.

He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” . . . Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” . . . He went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 

(Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 CSB)

Three times He prayed as He anticipated the cross. Three times He petitioned His Father with the same petition as “being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Lk. 22:44). Three times He could have prayed, send My horse, dispatch My army, give Me My sword. Instead, He embraced the cross.

Not as I will, but as You will.

Praise God Jesus didn’t pray what He could have prayed.

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

(A hymn from my past by Ray Overholt, 1959)

Behold, what manner of love!

O’ what wondrous grace!

To Jesus be all praise!

To God be the glory!

Amen?

Posted in Matthew | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Active Waiting

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Pete

It wasn’t the wilderness just because it was physically the wilderness. No, beyond the barrenness around him was the abiding sense of a desert within him. His world had been turned upside down as he was forced to flee his kingdom. And while he was confident that he would again rejoice in God (Ps. 63:11), what’s caught my attention this morning is David’s approach to waiting on God while in the wilderness.

I eagerly seek You . . . I thirst for You . . . my body faints for You . . .
I gaze on You . . .
My lips will glorify You . . . I will bless You . . . my mouth will praise You . . .
I think of You . . . I meditate on You . . .
I follow close to You . . .

(Psalm 63:1-8 CSB)

Far from passively waiting for God to work out whatever God was going to work out, David pursues God in his waiting.

The loss of equilibrium brings about an intense desire to plant his feet firmly again on his Rock. And so, earnestly, diligently, David looks to connect with God. Thirsting for living water sourced from heavenly places. Fainting for manna sufficient for the day’s need. Rather than longing for Jerusalem, David sets his face afresh upon Jehovah.

With his mind’s eye, he sees again the strength and glory of God which had been revealed during those many times he worshiped God in the sanctuary (v.2). Thus, he refuses to let circumstance curtail the sacrifice of the fruit of his lips, glorying, blessing, and praising God “because Your faithful love is better than life” (v.4).

When he lies alone in his wilderness bed, he thinks of his heavenly Father. When he can’t sleep at night, he meditates on the One who has always been his helper — reminding himself that even in the wilderness there is still rest in “the shadow of Your wings” (v.6-7).

And so, even though he wanders in the wilderness, David follows close to God. Clinging to God, because he knows God’s right hand is holding on to him (v.8).

Active waiting. That’s what David did in the wilderness.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

No One!

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Pete

Sometimes, when all you can do is groan, you just need to remember: no domination, no accusation, no condemnation, no separation.

Finishing up Romans 8 this morning. Considering the sufferings of this present time and that they are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed (8:18). Acknowledging though, that at this present time “we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (8:23). Praying when we don’t know how to pray. Trusting the Spirit to carry the conversation when we’re tongue-tied (8:26-27). Knowing that all things will eventually work together for good for those who love God (8:28).

But in the meantime, we need to deal with the meantime. And so, Paul would have us ask ourselves four questions.

If God is for us, who is against us?
Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?
Who is the one who condemns?
Who can separate us from the love of Christ?

(Romans 4:31a, 33a, 34a, 35a CSB)

Same answer for all four questions. No one!

It’s an answer of the head that needs to be transmitted to the heart in times of groaning, in times when the heart is weak, in times when hoping is hard and faith seems to falter.

This one answer to these four questions provides a foothold, a sure foundation. For this one answer, no one, is firmly established on the finished work of that great Someone, the Lord Jesus Christ. And so, as I read in the Psalms this morning, we pray:

. . . from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I . . .

(Psalm 61:2 ESV)

The Rock which reminds us that though there is much opposition, the victory will be ours. If God is for us, no one can bring domination.

The Rock which silences the charges of those who would discredit us. For there is no charge to be brought concerning God’s elect. No one can bring an accusation.

The Rock which assures us that the price has been paid in full, leaving no portion of the debt unpaid. No one can call for condemnation.

The Rock which envelopes us, leaving no place where we are and He is not. No one can bring about separation.

No one!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(Romans 8:37 ESV)

We are more than conquerors. Sometimes when the heart groans, the head needs to send that reminder.

For who is greater than our God? Who is able to save like our Savior? Who is able to intercede like the Spirit? No one!

All because of grace. Only for His glory.

Posted in Romans | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

We’re All Gonna Snooze

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Pete

I know you have to be careful about mapping every detail of a parable to some reality. That there’s a main point to Jesus’ stories which should be the reader’s primary focus, and that seeing a story behind every point can take you down paths that were never intended to be traveled.

Having said that, a lesser noticed detail in a familiar parable has grabbed my attention this morning. And though it isn’t the main point, I think it indicates an important truth — we’re all gonna snooze.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 25:1-5 CSB)

Jesus tells a story of kingdom dynamics which occur “at that time.” What time? The time referenced in Matthew 24:36-44. The time when “your Lord is coming”. The time when “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” The time when Christ comes for His bride, the church. The time when His disciples, those in the church, are to be ready and be alert. The time when they are to be awake.

At that time there will be some ready for the groom’s return, with oil for their lamps, and some who are not — those carrying lamps that look good for light, but which have no substance to actually emit light. All aware of the bridegroom’s promised return. All seemingly awaiting the bridegroom’s return. But all, apparently, not really prepared for the bridegroom’s return.

The groom is delayed. He’s taking longer to return than the circumstances about them, and the signs of the times before them, would seem to indicate. And here’s what grabs my attention:

” . . . they all became drowsy and fell asleep.”

While some of these virgins were prepared with lamp and oil and some were not, none of these waiting for the groom had superpowers. What distinguished them from each other wasn’t that some were more able, more capable, more devoted, or more better (yeah, not good English, I know) than the others, but that some were ready, and some were not. However, the longer the groom delayed the more likely these mere mortals — all of them — were to find themselves at times drowsy and falling asleep.

In their waiting, while seeking to be ready and alert, the longer the groom tarried the more likely they were to nod off. That’s what creatures of the flesh are gonna do. Despite waiting and watching, at some point we’re all gonna snooze.

However, it seems to me the point of the parable is whether we’re gonna nod off with our lamps full of oil or with them empty. When we are awake, when we are at our best, when we are on our game, are we actively, intentionally preparing for the groom’s return? Are we seeking to hide His word in our hearts, not just that we might not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11), but so that we might also be transformed by the renewing our minds (Rom. 12:2a)? Are we actively engaging with that word, so that not only are we discerning God’s good and perfect will (Rom. 12:2b), but we’re also distinguishing the world’s good and evil ways (Heb. 5:14)? Are we taking the talents He’s left us with and investing them in the kingdom? Are we growing together with the adopted family He’s given us as we convey something of the kingdom He wants to present through us? Are we filling our lamps with oil or not?

We’re all gonna snooze? It’s what people still encumbered by the flesh do. But when we do grow weary, and when we perhaps lose a little focus, we can snooze with our lamps full and our light’s ready to shine. So that when we are awakened by the convicting call of the Spirit — or by the trumpet sound of the coming of Jesus — we will be found ready and welcomed to the wedding banquet.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Matthew | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Not What I Would Have Prayed

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Pete

It doesn’t seem fair. Sure, he rebelled, if you can call it that (God does). But it wasn’t like the way they had rebelled. The community refused to enter the land flowing with milk and honey, and then they continued to grumble about the wilderness they wandered in, longing again and again for Egypt. He, on the other hand, had not only led them to the promised land, but had interceded with God for their whining, again and again. So, when in frustration he struck the rock instead of speaking to the rock, it hardly seems fair that he too would die in the wilderness along with the rest of them. His sin somehow seems insignificant to their sin. But their sin wasn’t the standard. God’s holy name was. And thus, Moses was to be buried on the doorsill of the land of promise.

So, I’m struck by the fact that when Moses prayed to the LORD, after he was told by the LORD that he also would die in the desert, it’s not what I would have prayed.

So Moses appealed to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all, appoint a man over the community who will go out before them and come back in before them, and who will bring them out and bring them in, so that the LORD’s community won’t be like sheep without a shepherd.”

(Numbers 27:15-17 CSB)

Moses prayed for “the community.” I would have prayed for myself.

Unlike Hezekiah who prayed for more years (2Ki. 20:1-3), Moses seemingly doesn’t push back on the LORD, at all. Unlike David who cried out for grace and mercy and full restoration after his sin was discovered (Ps. 51), Moses accepts the just consequences of his actions. Rather than prize the promise over the Promiser, Moses doesn’t try to argue or plead his way into Canaan, instead, having known God face to face (Ex. 33:11), He blesses the Lord who gives and takes away by saying, in effect, “Not my will by Yours be done” (Job 1:21, Lk. 22:42).

Pause. Chew on it. Did I mention how I thought I’d pray?

Not only did Moses not pray for himself, but he prayed for them. He interceded, AGAIN, for the community. He supplicated for the very group that had, in so many ways, submarined him. Lifted up those who eventually had been responsible for taking him down. Sought again the welfare of those who had so worn him out.

Chew some more. Not what I would have prayed.

He put others above himself. Understandable self-preservation yielding to unimaginable submission to the sovereign purposes and promises of God. Confident in his relationship with the Father, he cared foremost for those prone to wanting to be sheep without a shepherd.

That’s Moses. And, that’s the one Moses pointed towards, the greater Moses, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was in all God’s household. For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. . . Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s household, as a testimony to what would be said in the future.  But Christ was faithful as a Son over His household.

(Hebrews 3:1-3, 5-6a CSB)

Moses prayed for the community when he could have understandably prayed for himself. Not what I would have prayed.

Oh, to be more like Moses. Oh, to be more like the One Moses foreshadowed.

Only by His enabling grace. Only for His everlasting glory.

Posted in Numbers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Grace Will Reign — Part 2 . . . An OT Thing as Well

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Pete

Wah, wah, wah! Somebody call a wahm-bulance! Why did we ever leave Egypt? Moses, why did you bring us to the wilderness to die? Where is this land flowing with milk and honey? We’re thirsty! It must have been tiresome for Moses to hear. And, while I’d like to think that I’d be Moses at this pity party, I know better — consider me part of the mob.

Hovering over the first part of Numbers 20 this morning and what I read yesterday in Romans 5 comes to mind. Even in the Old Testament, grace will reign.

Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that abundant water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

(Numbers 20:11 CSB)

Abundant water gushed out. That’s what grabbed my attention. That’s what made the connection with yesterday’s meditation. That’s what I’m chewing on. (Sipping on?)

Abundant water gushed forth from the rock and the community and their livestock drank. You better believe it was abundant — that’s thirst-quenching, life-sustaining drink for 2.5 million people and their animals. That’s a lot of water. But what is more amazing is that this is the “wahm-bulance” crowd. Those who, despite seeing the deliverance of God, repeatedly question the goodness and power of God. Over and over and over again. Good thing I’m not Moses in this picture or he’d be walking instead of watering. Instead, grace will reign. And God, in His mercy and patience, and for His intended glory, gives water to the whiners. Abundant water.

But wait, there’s more!

Moses struck the rock before more water than was needed came forth. He struck it. He was told to “speak to the rock” (20:8), but in his frustration with the people, Moses hauled up and whacked the silent stone repeatedly. A big deal? Yeah, a pretty big deal. So big it disqualified Moses and Aaron from crossing the finish line and entering the promised land (20:12, 24).

So, a severely disquieted people and a sorrowfully disqualified leader and still, grace will reign. Abundant water gushed out again. Overflowing grace was shown again.

And this guy in this chair is overwhelmed with appreciation and praise again.

Of God’s grace. For God’s glory.

Posted in Numbers | Tagged | Leave a comment

Grace Will Reign

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Pete

“Death through Adam and Life through Christ”, that’s the heading in my bible for the latter part of Romans 5. The contrasting impacts between the first man’s disobedience and the God-Man’s obedience. The first providing sin the opportunity to infect the world, the other providing a gift able to save the world. The first bringing just condemnation, the other bringing imputed righteousness. Adam swinging wide open the door to death, Jesus offering widely the gift of eternal life. The finished work of Golgotha enveloping all the fallout from the first rebellion in the garden.

But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 5:20b-21 CSB)

Grace will reign. Those are the words I am chewing on this morning.

First, I need to resist the temptation to take this “what” and turn it immediately into a “to do.” While I could be quick to make it an application, process it as a command to obey reminding myself that I need to let grace reign, instead I am basking in the glory and wonder of its declaration, that it is the reality which exists, that grace will reign.

I don’t need to look hard or far to see the continuing collateral damage of the first man’s failure. I don’t need to look beyond the chair I’m sitting in.

For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. . . For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

(Romans 7:15, 22-24 ESV)

But grace will reign!

Because it is independent of my righteousness. Because it is founded on the righteousness of Another. Firmly grounded in the righteousness of Christ, the righteousness once for all credited to my account through the finished work of the cross. The righteousness of Christ which, day by day, is becoming more my lived-out reality through the ongoing, sanctifying work of the Spirit.

And grace will reign because, as a one hymn-writer put it, it is grace that is greater than all my sin.

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the man.

(Romans 5:15 CSB)

The gift of sins forgiven not only comes to us through the one man Jesus Christ, it overflows to us. Overflows, unencumbered by any boundaries, beyond being depleted through “over use.” The reservoir of God’s grace isn’t just “topped up” each day to make sure there’s enough forgiveness to go around for the day, no, it always, eternally, foreverly (not a word), overflows. It abounds. It is always more than sufficient and beyond what we can think, imagine, and sometimes even believe.

But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more!

Thank God for His amazing, all sufficient, overflowing grace!

Grace will reign!

And that, for God’s glory.

Amen?

Posted in Romans | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Hope That Will Not Disappoint

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Pete

Honestly, when I prayed my feeble “sinner’s prayer” 45 years ago, what I think I wanted most was peace in my world and some assurance of a better next world. The next world had come in focus as a result of surviving a pretty bad car accident. While I slept through the accident, literally (yes, I was driving at the time), it awakened me to my mortality and the need to deal with things of eternity sooner than later. And my less than peaceful world was a result of my parents’ marriage imploding and all the upheaval that brings into a house. So, when I prayed the prayer, I wanted peace on earth (at least my little part of it) and a place in heaven. Beyond that, didn’t know really what I was signing up for.

Reading in Romans 5 this morning, I realize that I really wasn’t looking for “peace with God” (v.1). Hadn’t really appreciated the deadness of my soul, the depths of my sin, and the degree to which I lived as an enemy of God. But when by faith — what little faith and little understanding there was — I cried out to God, I was declared righteous by faith and was reconciled with the Creator. Thank You, Lord!

Nor, when I first believed, did I understand that I now had access to a boundless ocean of grace in which I suddenly stood (v.2a). Having been saved by grace in a moment, I would be secure and sustained by grace for eternity. Didn’t know that I had signed up for that either. Praise You, Father!

I can look back and see that whatever rejoicing I did at the time it was pretty horizontally focused, hoping that my life was now going to be good. Didn’t fully appreciate the joy that would be possible as I came alive to the vertical reality of encounters of the divine kind as I tasted repeatedly “the hope of the glory of God” (v.2b).

So, a lot I didn’t know back then that I have come to more fully appreciate over the years since praying that prayer.

But, here’s the other thing I didn’t know that I was signing up for — afflictions!

And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

(Romans 5:3-5 CSB)

While it might be easy to rejoice in hope, didn’t know back then that I was also enlisting to rejoice in afflictions.

Afflictions. The ESV and NIV call them sufferings. The NASB and NKJV, tribulations. And my friend, Mr. Peterson, renders it hemmed in with troubles.

We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles . . .

(Romans 5:3a MSG)

Really? Yeah, really. How come that was part of the deal? Because when God enlivened me to pray that prayer in the late ’70s loving me just the way I was (and despite how little I knew), He also loved me too much to leave me the way I was.

Cue afflictions. Cue tribulations. Cue trials. Cue endurance. Cue character. Cue a hope that will not disappoint.

We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (v.2b) and so we rejoice in our afflictions because they make real the hope of the glory of God. Our hope not merely an escape from reality, but a hope which becomes more sure as we persist in our journey towards our full and final redemption.

Afflictions producing endurance, an endurance possible only by the sustaining grace of God and power of the Spirit. Endurance producing character as we persist in seasons of suffering, of cross-bearing, imitating Jesus who endured His cross for the joy set before Him (Heb. 12:2). Not only looking to Jesus but also experiencing Jesus. Experiencing the reality of Him living in us and through us (Gal. 2:20) as He invites us to come to Him and take up His yoke so that can bear the burden with us (Matt. 28:11). And so, as we experience Him we become increasing like Him. Endurance producing proven character.

And that proven character, which knows the reality of not growing weary or giving up just as Jesus knew (Heb. 12:3), seals the deal on the hope set before us. Having experienced God’s love poured out into our hearts and Jesus power poured out into our lives–even when we are hemmed in with trouble— assures us that we will realize fully what we signed up for even though what we signed up for was “what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man’s heart” because it’s “what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor. 2:9).

And that’s a hope that will not disappoint.

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in Romans | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment