What I Don’t Know Can Hurt Me

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Pete

There’s an old proverb that says something like, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.” What it’s getting at is that, if you are unaware of a problem, you can’t get bent out of shape worrying about it. Something along the lines of another saying that’s been around for a while, “ignorance is bliss.”

You don’t have to noodle on the proverb very long before you know it’s just not true. From disease to two-faced relationships, like walking in a minefield unaware, we can probably come up pretty quickly with a number of scenarios where not knowing about something is eventually going to cause great harm. Another example is something I came across in one of my readings this morning.

In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth he’s dealing with divisions in the church. Divisions centered around a growing celebrity culture within the church. Not so much identity politics as identity superstars. Chloe’s “people” are ratting out other people who are saying, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas.” And the really “spiritual” people have their own tribe as they smugly declare, “Well, I just follow Christ” (1Cor. 1:11-12). To which Paul responds emphatically to all, “Is Christ divided?”

After addressing the danger of divisions in the church in chapter three, in chapter four he continues by saying, in effect, don’t put us preachers on a platform, instead consider us as servants of Christ. I’m not a superstar to be followed, I’m just a steward called to be faithful (4:1-2). And in that context, Paul writes:

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

(1Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV)

For Paul, what his “fans” (or his critics) thought about him really counted for very little in the grand scheme of things. But what hits me is that he says that not even his own self-evaluation was a basis for confidence in his performance. That even if “I am not conscious of anything against myself, I am not justified” (CSB). Rather, it’s what the Lord knows that counts. It’s what the One who searches hearts finds in the heart that is the final determiner. Stuff that only the Lord knows. So, putting it another way, what I don’t know can still hurt me. Hmm . . .

I have heard so much about conscience over the past couple of years as the ultimate and final arbiter for doing, or not doing something. And to be sure, the Scriptures warn us about cauterizing our conscience (1Tim. 1:18-19, 4:1-2), and encourages us to act out of a clear conscience (1Tim. 1:5). But if I’m picking up what Paul is laying down, it’s that our consciences aren’t infallible, they aren’t the sole test of our faithfulness. Ultimately, it is the Lord who judges me.

Okay, what do you do with that? Here’s a case where something you don’t know can certainly hurt you. But rather than experiencing fear, uncertainty and paranoia because of the realization that we can’t rely only on what we think we know about our actions and motives, it should bring about a degree of humility and dependency.

It’s what kept Paul off the pedestal people were trying to put him on. It’s what kept him from an inappropriate degree of self-confidence and self-reliance. Just because Paul wasn’t aware of anything that might disqualify him “from being a good guide”, it didn’t mean much (MSG). Instead, Paul says, count me but a servant of Christ. Consider me just a steward of the mysteries of God (4:1).

A servant. A steward. If that’s what we know, if that’s how we regard ourselves, then, as much as we can know, it won’t hurt us. Instead, it will keep us abiding in the vine. It will keep leading us to the cross. And it will eventually usher us home where we hope to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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The Dynamics of Division

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Pete

Divisions in the church. That’s the non-inspired heading in my bible for 1Corinthians 3. That’s the overall topic Paul’s addressing. That’s the context.

And as I sit back and look at my now colored page, it’s all the red-shading that catches my eye — observations about the people of God.

In chapter 3 the following terms are applied to people in the church:

  • brothers
  • not spiritual people
  • people of the flesh
  • infants in Christ
  • God’s field
  • God’s building
  • God’s temple

Hmm . . . pretty diverse set of terms. A split between who they are in Christ and how they’re behaving in the flesh. The family of God but acting like baby brothers and sisters. A spiritual field, but sowing seeds of the flesh. A spiritual temple of God under construction yet acting anything but spiritual and so tearing down rather than building up. Seems that’s the dynamics of division.

Paul’s going to address a lot of issues in this letter to the church at Corinth. But I think it’s significant that the first one he tackles out of the gate is division. He addresses the “jealousy and strife” among them as it’s the evidence that they are “not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way” (3:3). I’m guessing that behaving only in a human way is probably at the heart of all the stuff Paul’s going to take on later in the letter.

Behaving in a human way. Other translations render it: “living like ordinary people” (CSB); “walking, [or living, or acting] like mere men” (NASB, NIV, NKJV). NLT says “living like people of the world.” Division in the church was a sign of being overly-influenced by the prevailing culture. It stunted their growth as a heavenly temple because it kept bringing in materials valued from an earthly perspective. The world outside influencing the ways of the church inside stunting the growth of the place where God desired to reside. That’s the dynamics of division.

And so, Paul’s exhortation to these baby brothers and sisters:

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

(1Corinthians 3:10-11 ESV)

How quickly I apply this verse to me, myself, and I. Thinking exclusively along the lines of, “What am I doing to build on the foundation of my salvation?” But given the context, shouldn’t I be thinking also along the lines of Matthew 16:18, recognizing I’ve also been saved to build on the bedrock of Christ the Son of the living God as He builds His church? Could be.

Rather than thinking only about me standing before the Bema Seat (1Cor. 3:13-15, 2Cor. 5:10) and giving an account for how I participated in my own spiritual growth, wouldn’t it be reasonable to also anticipate a question along the lines of “So, how did you build up your church, My field, My building, My temple? Or did you keep undermining the structure with contention and wrangling?”

Seems to me that at least part of what Paul’s saying here is that spiritual people, mature believers, are recognized by how they put their shoulder to the task of building God’s spiritual temple. And infants in Christ, people of the flesh walking like the rest of the world, get caught up in the dynamics of division and compromise what the Lord wants to build on the foundation of His Son.

Something to chew on, I think.

By His grace. For His glory.

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God’s PQ (A 2011 Rerun)

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Pete

Unobservable . . . imperceptible . . . imponderable . . . such are the things God has prepared for those who love Him. But doesn’t that present a bit of a problem? If these things are beyond what any eyes have seen . . . so hidden that no ear has heard of them . . . so out there that our minds can’t even imagine them . . . then it’s good stuff beyond our reach . . . beyond our even knowing that there’s something to reach for. Stuff beyond any natural connection. Cue the supernatural . . . cue God’s PQ . . .

” . . . these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”

(1Corinthians 2:10 ESV)

A bit blown away this morning as I consider Paul’s assertion that, as believers, we have the mind of Christ (2:16). That we have received “the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God” (2:12). That we might comprehend things which are beyond the natural man’s comprehension. Not because we have a particularly high IQ . . . but because God has an out of this world PQ . . . because of God’s Power Quotient . . . the blessed Holy Spirit.

When Paul hit Corinth he didn’t come trying to convince them of the testimony of God with “lofty speech or wisdom” but determined, instead, to know nothing among them “except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2). He didn’t approach the pagan culture with “plausible words of wisdom” but instead preached the foolishness of the cross that, any difference it made, would be a demonstration of the Spirit and of power . . . “that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (2:4-5). And once God’s PQ was manifest in this way . . . hold on to your hats . . . the flood gates of the unimaginable just open up.

“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age . . . But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.”

(1Corinthians 2:6-7 ESV)

Secret things . . . hidden things . . . things ordained of God before even the creation of the world. High things . . . lofty things . . . heavenly, spiritual things . . . things beyond the grasp of natural man. And these things are imparted to us. The flood gates of the unobservable and imperceptible has been open to those who, by faith, have “seen” Christ crucified . . . risen on the third day . . . ascended into glory . . . interceding at the right hand of the Father . . . making ready a place for us . . . preparing for the day of His return. A little bit of faith opens up a lot of “secret and hidden wisdom” through the Spirit of God . . . through God’s PQ.

Oh, what danger when I start to think that because of my smarts and my diligence I’m the one who’s figuring it all out. Nope . . . instead, I’m just the one who’s receiving what He’s graciously giving. It’s not about my skill in interpretation . . . but all about His grace in illumination and revelation. Not about my intelligence quotient . . . but about His power quotient, manifest through the Spirit of God, the One who will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) . . . even truth beyond our imagination.

Father, by Your grace, through Your Spirit, continue to open my eyes to the unobservable . . . and give me ears to hear the imperceptible . . . and a mind to ponder the imponderable. That I might know You . . . and the power of the Spirit in me.

By Your grace. For Your glory. Amen.

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A Song for Old People

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Pete

Hovering over Psalm 71. There’s a song for old people in the bible, for those “in the time of old age” (v.9) and sporting a few “gray hairs” (v. 18). Who knew?

Apparently, it hit my radar a couple of years ago, as well — when being “old” was to be “at risk” for some newly discovered, highly contagious, fast spreading disease.

Somehow you think that the senior years should be serene and simple years — not so much. Not for us, not for the ancient songwriter. But God remains a refuge. The One who has been my trust from youth is worthy of my hope in my not-so-youth. Still worthy of my praise continually. Still faithful. For the One who has “made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again” (v.20). Even so, Lord Jesus, revive me again.

Here are my thoughts from March 2020 . . .

Good Sunday with the church yesterday. Not, at the church, but with the church.

Our “sheltered in place” body met together via the wonders of technology, some “connecting” afterwards with texts and emails of mutual encouragement. After “going off the air”, my co-production buddy and I sat with the Lord around His table and remembered His past work on our behalf on the cross and, rejoiced in His current work on our behalf making intercession at the right hand of the Father. Then we transitioned from our makeshift “broadcast studio” to his office, pulled out our guitars and worshiped. So sweet! And after an afternoon of more sheltering in place (which I do most Sunday afternoons in a semi-conscious fashion, so not too different), I got to hang out with my small group via video conferencing last night. Just seeing those saints is a balm for the soul.

Like I said. A good Sunday with the church yesterday. Last night’s sleep was the best sleep I’ve had all week.

But, here we are, another week of uncertainty in front of us.

And, as I’m reading in Psalm 71 this morning, a reminder of something that irks me about the current situation we’re enduring. The constant reminder that I am in the “at risk” group. The reminder that I’m not the young and the invincible any longer. That I’m way past the “spring chicken” season of life. (Also a reminder that my ego still has some sanctifying to undergo.)

As I hover over the songwriter’s song this morning, guessing it’s David, he’s older and still having to deal with troubles in his life. And still having to make the conscious decision, every day, to take refuge in the LORD, to “continually come” to the One who is his rock and his fortress (71:1, 3).

Seems his “golden years” aren’t so golden. You know what I mean. In our culture in particular, we want to believe that our latter years should be our more leisurely years. That it should be a season of more ease than exertion, of more comforts than concerns, of more carefree wandering then constant worrying. Isn’t that what the golden years should be about? Not necessarily, it would seem.

And here’s the perspective offered by the songwriter that’s got me thinking this morning. Here’s what I’m chewing on . . .

O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like You?

(Psalm 71:17-19 ESV)

The stuff the songwriter had known from his youth, would be the stuff that would sustain him in his golden years, even when, at times, the gold seemed a bit tarnished.

While things around us might change ever so drastically, and ever so quickly, our God never changes. He is still the God of the wondrous deeds of the past. His power is still all-powerful. His righteousness, still perfectly righteous. His faithfulness, always faithful.

And I’m inspired by the psalmist’s motivation for running to his Rock, for wanting to keep on keepin’ on, for wanting to finish well — so that he could proclaim the might of His God to another generation. To not just shelter in place to self-preserve, but, even in how he sheltered in place, to model what it is to trust in his Rock and his Refuge. To live out what it is to really “walk by faith and not by sight” (2Cor. 5:7).

For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.

(Psalm 71:5 ESV)

Another week ahead of us, if the Lord be not come, to declare His goodness to another generation. To testify of His power to all who might hear. Even as we shelter in the shadow of His wings (Ps. 57:1).

I might be in the “at risk” stage of life, but I also want to be in the “at peace” rhythm of life.

Sheltered in place. Sheltered in peace.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Offering and Obedience

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Pete

Hovering over a couple of verses in the last part of Romans 15 this morning. Coming to terms with some terms of salvation.

But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience —  by word and deed . . .

(Romans 15:15-18 ESV)

Offering and obedience. Hmmm . . . those aren’t terms we often lead with when we share the good news. Believe the gospel and be an offering to God. Receive Jesus and be obedient in word and deed. Doesn’t have the same ring to it as God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.

I’m not saying God doesn’t love the sinner and that He doesn’t have a plan which is wonderful, for all that God does is full of wonder. I’m just noodling on the fact that I think we’ve tended to shy away from language related to sacrifice and submission over the past generation and thus perhaps have weakened the gospel by trying to remove some of the offense of the gospel. Naturally speaking, I’m more likely to sign up for a wonderful life than for being an offering to God and obedient to God.

And I wonder if we haven’t sought to be “seeker sensitive” and “seeker friendly” — and downplay taking up a cross, dying to self, and becoming a bond servant for Christ — because, before that, we may have hammered too often on sacrifice and submission as the responsibility of believing rather than the natural, supernatural response of believing. That somehow, we communicated that now that you’re saved you gotta buckle down and be sanctified.

But the reading of today’s text indicates that being set apart as an offering, that being sanctified, happens by the Holy Spirit. That to be brought to obedience is something that Christ has accomplished. That far from being the burden to bear when we come to faith in Christ, it is the fruit that is born because of faith in Christ. Sacrifice and submission being less something we need to make happen and more something we are to let happen as the Son of God lives through us by the Spirit of God in us.

Let happen, but not as in do nothing and passively wait for holiness to take hold. Instead to see myself as an offering to God, recognizing up front that I have been purchased with a price and I’m no longer my own. And to know that, having already obeyed the gospel by receiving and believing the good news by the grace of God, I’ve been saved to continue to obey by the grace of God. By faith, wanting to do in the Spirit what I could never do when controlled by the flesh. Pursuing the knowledge of Christ, abiding in the love of Christ, and living for the glory of Christ, because it’s how I’ll flourish in Christ. Offering and obedience viewed as part of the benefit of believing and less as a burden of believing.

Terms of salvation are important. Offering and obedience, by the Holy Spirit and through the Risen Son, are to be embraced. They are the fruit of salvation, the logical outcome of new creations being conformed to the likeness of Christ. Not something we must do to stay saved, but something we want to do because we have been saved.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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An Obligation

Posted on March 23, 2022 by Pete

For the past few months I have been listening to a podcast that’s walking through the book of Romans. And what I have appreciated as much as anything over these months is the manner in which the “why” of Romans continually is re-emphasized as we walk through the “whats” of Romans. I so often think of this letter as only a theological treatise, a master defense of the gospel and it’s implications in the lives of believers. True enough. It is. But Paul wrote to the Roman church because it was a divided church.

After the gospel had come to Rome, a church of Jew and Gentile believers had been established. But then, all Jews (Christ-followers or not) were expelled from Rome by the emperor. When they were allowed to return some five years later, the Jewish believers came back to a pretty Gentile feeling church. And it created some tension. Tension along ethnic lines, Jew and Gentile. Tension along religious lines, adherence to the “old ways” vs. freedom to walk in some new ways. Tension in terms of understanding what God was doing now vs. what He had promised to do in the past. And so, Paul writes a pretty comprehensive and theological letter, not only to educate but to reconciliate. Not only to provide a gospel catechesis, but more importantly to spell out how to live as a gospel community.

Can’t help but think that Romans is a timely book to be reading given the tension in the North American church today as a result of the many polarizing and dividing issues of the last couple of years. A reminder that the gospel is not for individuals only, but that its power is also manifest where those individuals come together to form a community which, apart from the gospel, would have no natural inclination to be a community.

That’s the filter that seasons what I’m chewing on in Romans 15 this morning.

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. . . . May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

(Romans 15:1-2, 5-7 ESV)

An obligation. That’s we have when it comes to arguing about “opinions” (Rom. 14:1) or “disputable matters” (NIV). An obligation of the strong to bear with the weak. And let’s be honest, in any disputable matter each side thinks they are “the strong” and the other is “the weak”. So, each side shares in the obligation to bear with others (who we think are wrong) and not please ourselves (by proving we’re right).

Beyond the debate there is a decision, is pleasing my neighbor and building them up a greater prize than being right? Is harmony within my church community priority over conformity as to our church conduct? Does my voice have to be the right voice over others, or am I more concerned that with one voice we together glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?

This obligation is my obligation. For I’m the only one who knows my heart towards my brothers and sisters. I’m the only one who can check my rhetoric in my brain before it proceeds out of my mouth. Only I know whether I want to be right above all or righteous for the sake of all.

And the power to fulfill my obligation? The source of my righteousness? It’s the gospel, the grand subject of Romans. The power of God for all who believe, Jew and Gentile — revealed from faith and for faith (Rom. 1:16-17).

An obligation, only by God’s grace. An obligation, ultimately for God’s glory.

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The Abundance of All Things

Posted on March 22, 2022 by Pete

Deuteronomy 28 can be kind of a chilling chapter. Twelve verses of blessings followed by forty-six verses of curses. Faithful obedience resulting in reward. Persistent, rebellious disobedience bringing utter destruction.

And, as I’m hovering over it this morning, I spy what I think to be a bridge spanning the blessings and the curses. A connection between the receiving of what is good and the performing of what is not so good. And that link is the abundance of all things.

“All these curses shall come upon you and pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes that He commanded you. They shall be a sign and a wonder against you and your offspring forever. Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things . . .”

(Deuteronomy 28:45-47 ESV)

Looking at different translations, you can read the indictment two ways. The ESV seems to read: one of the causes of you not serving the LORD your God was the abundance of all things. Your material wealth choked out your spiritual duty. Your temporal possessions took you away from your eternal pursuit. The other way it can be understood is clear from the CSB’s translation: “you didn’t serve the LORD your God with joy and a cheerful heart, even though you had an abundance of everything.” Regardless of how you read it, the sin of disobedience is either sparked by, or magnified by, the abundance of all things. And therein lies the bridge between blessings and curses.

Read the first part of chapter 28 and the reward for faithfully following the LORD in the land is “increase.” The fruit of their womb, the fruit of their fields, the fruit of their herds, increasing in abundance as God responds with favor to their faithfulness (28:3-5). Their baskets full, their kneading bowls overflowing (v.5). The LORD opening to them “His good treasury, the heavens,” to give rain in its season in order to bless the work of their hands (v.12). In short, the blessing of obedience would be manifested through the abundance of all things.

But that which would be the blessing of God could also be the catalyst for their abandonment of God. Barns filled by God’s goodness creating a sense of no longer needing God’s favor. God’s prosperity misunderstood as the fruit of their own efforts. The blessed life becoming a self-focused life. Instead of responding to the blessing of increase with joyfulness and gladness and thankfulness and increased allegiance, they stopped serving the God from whom all blessings flow. Focused on their abundance they lost focus on their calling “as a holy people to Himself” (v.9).

Hmm. Seems Dickens was right. The best of times can also be the worst of times. The blessing of the abundance of all things can become a curse.

Oh to be aware. To be mindful of my possessions not possessing me. To see all that I have and enjoy are but gifts “from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). To never cease to give Him thanks for the abundance of all things. And, by His enabling, to ever desire to serve Him with the abundance of all things.

All things seen as the abundance of His great grace. All things received, enjoyed, and used for His everlasting glory.

Amen?

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Individually Members of One Another

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Pete

Ours is an individualistic culture. That’s not some new observation. Nor would it surprise anyone if we said the culture at large tends to shape the church in particular. But this morning I’m struck afresh by how compromising individualism can be to the church being the church and thus, how compromising it can be to the mission of the church. This morning I’m chewing on what it means to be individually members one of another.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

(Romans 12:4-5 ESV)

Dependency isn’t a cultural value espoused at large today. To be dependent implies being deficient. Too often thought of as a sign of weakness. Counter-cultural to the value of being able to “stand on my own two feet.” But with the body metaphor in mind, only the feet can stand on their own two feet. Unless the shin is attached to the feet, it has nothing to stand on. Does that make sense?

Given our cultural individualistic conditioning, for many it’s a stretch to concede to being part of a body. Of “losing” my identity within a more collective identity. But to think of myself as individually members of others? Of actually being attached and reliant on other individuals? Talk about cultural dissonance.

As a believer I’m not just to be part of a body in some abstract sense, I am to be literally connected to other members in a physical expression of the body, a local church. To be who I am called to be in Christ, to serve as I am called to serve for the kingdom, I am dependent not only on Christ, I am reliant not only on the Spirit, but I can’t do what I was redeemed to do apart from other members in the body. The picture of the body says that my hand does me no good if it isn’t actually attached to my arm, and my arm to my shoulder, and my shoulder to my head. I am an individual, but I am to be individually members of one another. That’s how God designed this living thing called the church to work.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

(Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV)

It makes sense that we are “born again” in Christ so that we would “grow up” in Christ. But we are to grow up as we.

We grow up as a unit, as the whole body. Far from an individual sport, sanctification is designed to happen in the context of every part of the body being joined and held together so that as each part does its part it makes the body (and thus the individual parts of the body) grow up, building itself up in love. We flourish as we count ourselves and connect ourselves individually as members one of another.

Counter cultural? Absolutely. Counter experience? Unfortunately, for too many too often — that’s the price of being a work in progress dependent on other works in progress. But essential? I’m thinking. Beneficial? Yeah, that too!

Noodling this morning on the implications of being a body. Meditating on the metaphor of the body and how it challenges the primacy and priority our culture (both at large and in the church) puts on being me, myself, and I. Thinking about my congregation. Imagining them more as other parts of the body on which I’m dependent, and they (unfortunately perhaps, but God’s grace is sufficient) on me. Believing this is how God, in His wisdom, is going to conform us to the image of His Son even as He sends us to be ambassadors of His kingdom.

Individually members of one another.

Only by His grace. Believing He has designed it for His glory.

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The Blessing of Being Brought Near

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Pete

Hovering over a verse in Psalm 65 this morning. Not so much noodling on it as responding to it. Less asking, “What does this mean?”, more in awe of “How can this be?” Chewing on the blessing of being brought near.

Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple!

(Psalm 65:4 ESV)

Blessed and satisfied. That’s the state, sings the songwriter, which marks those God has chosen to bring near. Happy and fulfilled. The inner actuality, despite the outer reality, of those who have been set apart by the living God to enter into the presence of the living God.

There’s just something about stepping again onto holy ground that puts everything else into context. Something about drawing near to God that dims, even if for just a moment, whatever dread we might have for the day which lies before us.

But more than just a moment of respite, to dwell in His courts brings also a certain rejuvenation. Dwelling in His courts, even for just a few minutes, is to be reminded afresh of His goodness. His goodness a reminder of His holiness. His holiness a reminder of His greatness.

The songwriter considers again that He is the One who has established the mountains and stills the roaring seas (65:6-7). The One who commands the dawn to break and the sun to set (65:8b). The One who visits the earth to water it, the One who tends the earth so that all might reap of it (65:9-13). So that by His awesome deeds — those daily realities which we too often take for granted — we can know afresh that He alone is the God of our salvation, the hope of the ends of the earth (65:5). And it is this One, God over all, who has chosen a people to bring near. Who has called a people to dwell in His courts. Who has redeemed a people to know the goodness of His presence.

Hmm. Despite whatever else is going down today, that’s the blessing of being brought near. Knowing afresh the goodness of being in His presence.

Thus, O child of God, respond. Take time to reflect. With the eye of faith, pause and see yourself standing in the place where the glory dwells. Let your soul be fed with the goodness of His house. Bow in awe in the presence of His holiness. And then, respond.

Praise is due to You, O God, in Zion, and to You shall vows be performed.

(Psalm 65:1 ESV)

Satisfied. Knowing afresh it is well with my soul.

Isn’t that the blessing of being brought near? I’m thinkin’ . . .

By His grace. For His glory.

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Readied for the Next Season

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Pete

Wherever we are, we’re not there yet. How ever far we’ve come, we’ve still got some road to travel. Coming out of the wilderness, there’s still a promised land to prepare for. That’s some of what I’m picking from what Moses is laying down in Deuteronomy 8 this morning.

Operation “Take the Land” will soon commence. What they have waited for during 40 years of wilderness wandering is about to become a reality. And, while it won’t possess the same challenges the desert did, it will still present some pretty big challenges.

Challenges like being drawn into the culture of the land rather than being determined to redeem the land. Challenges like enjoying the goodness of the land to such an extent that they forget it’s because of the goodness of their God. Little Jack Horner types of challenges — of possessing and profiting from lands, cities, and houses they did not build yet “putting in their thumb, pulling out a plumb, and saying, ‘What a good boy am I'”. Of whispering under their breath to themselves, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth” (Deut. 8:17). Of forgetting that it was their God who gifted them the provision and power to profit (8:18).

So, to prepare for their “land of milk and honey” season, Moses exhorts them to learn from their wilderness season.

“And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

(Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV)

It hasn’t been 40 years, but it’s been 2+. May not have been a wilderness in the most extreme sense for all, but I can’t imagine it was a walk in the park for any. As we emerge from pandemic life, and all the other life that has happened under its oppressive umbrella, I can’t help but think that every weary wanderer shouldn’t have something to show for it.

Humbled by what the crucible has surfaced. Whether in our culture at large or within our churches at home. Perhaps within those we thought we knew well. More importantly, perhaps within our own hearts that we thought we knew better.

For whatever lies ahead, we should remember “the whole way” that the LORD our God has led over these past couple of years. Believing that, regardless of whatever other purposes our Sovereign God may have had in allowing COVID to be COVID, He sought to humble us, to test us, to know what was in our heart. Allowing us to encounter the flames in order to know if we’d be faithful. And that for the purpose of preparing us for the next season, whatever it might be.

And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

(Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV)

Though the specific lessons learned by each of us over the past couple of years might be different, what a reflective and revived people of God should come away knowing from any wilderness walk is that God is faithful and worthy to be followed. That His ways are always the right ways. And that through His word, and by the power of His Spirit, we can not only survive the wilderness, but we can thrive in the wilderness. Perhaps emerging somewhat weary, yet more prepared and with greater resolve to continue to walk in His ways.

Readied for the next season.

Only by His grace. Always for His grace.

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