The Joy Was Heard

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Pete

Back from a week of visiting family. Back, Lord willing, into my morning routine.

Finished off Nehemiah this morning. Always mixed emotions as I read these last chapters.

Not really sure how I should read Nehemiah’s nationally enforced obedience in chapter 13. Does Nehemiah get an attaboy for his zeal? Or, are we seeing the seeds sown of what would develop into Pharisaical legalism? Right action but with wrong reason. Legislated righteousness but devoid of a heart responding in thankful faithfulness.

But while I’m never quite sure what to make of chapter 13, I know that I never fail to be jazzed by chapter 12. Let the good times roll!

I’m always stirred by Nehemiah’s account of dedicating the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. Love reading about the choirs of singers that marched up on to the wall along with Judah’s leaders (12:31, 38) — the wall that the enemies of God once mocked, “If a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall” (4:3). They were there to “to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres” (12:27). And the singers sang!

And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader. And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

(Nehemiah 12:42b – 43 ESV)

The joy was heard far away. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Beyond being an emotion, joy can also be an expression. While we can feel joy, we can also see joy and hear joy. While joy may bubble within as a hidden spring of the heart, it can also pour forth like a flowing river for others to hear. While joy can be savored in silence, often it manifests itself in sounds of celebration. You can feel joy within yourself, but to join with others and hear a corporate expression of joy, well, that’s a whole next-level experience. An experience we should regularly encounter as God’s people when we gather for our weekly celebration of the gospel and of the God — Father, Son, and Spirit — who has brought the gospel to light to our once blinded eyes and darkened hearts.

God’s people should be a singing people. God’s people have reason to be a celebrating people. Where God’s people gather the joy should be heard.

The precedent was set long ago. If for nothing else, our deliverance from sin and death is a reason to sing.

Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

(Exodus 15:1-2 ESV)

The joy on the banks of the Red Sea was heard. Joy experienced not because a wall was built but because freedom from bondage was realized. Joy centered deep within but catalyzed from high above. The LORD Himself the source of the song. The God worthy of exaltation priming the pump of praise.

The joy was heard by the sea. Centuries later the joy was heard from atop a wall. Today may the joy be heard in our gatherings.

Joy heard because of God’s abounding grace. Joy heard for God’s everlasting glory.

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

Nevertheless

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Pete

To mess with Dickens’ well-known line . . . It can be the best of words, it can be the worst of words. The word? Nevertheless.

It’s been over three weeks since they gathered to hear Ezra read from the Book of the Law of Moses (Neh. 8:2, 9:1). But it wasn’t a one and done thing. Twenty-four days ago they had come together to be taught the Law (8:8). The next day, the heads of their households gathered to study the Law (8:13). Then they obeyed the Law and observed the feast of booths for the first time since the days of Joshua (8:14, 17). And during those days, “day by day, from the first day to the last day” they continued to listen as Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God (8:18). And, because they dove into the Book, the Book did a work in them.

Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.

(Nehemiah 9:1-3 ESV)

Okay, put that on your website or on the sign outside your church: “Special Meeting in the Word and Prayer — 6AM to 6PM (No meals provided or permitted).” Whose gonna show? But when the word of God captures the souls of the people of God don’t be surprised if it ignites a hunger for God (pun intended).

And so, they pray. And, they pray together. Led by the Levites, they feed back to heaven what the Book of the Law has revealed to them. From the choosing of Abraham to their deliverance from Egypt, from their rebellion in the desert to the conquest of the land, from their presumptuous, idolatrous sin in the land to their exile to Babylon, they recount it all — the good, the bad, the ugly. And in the midst of their prayer, the best of words, the worst of words.

“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against You and cast Your law behind their back and killed Your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to You, and they committed great blasphemies.”

“Nevertheless, in Your great mercies You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and merciful God.”

(Nehemiah 9:26, 31 ESV)

All sin against God is nevertheless sin. Despite God’s common grace, despite God’s plain revelation of Himself through creation (Rom. 1:19-20), despite sending His Son to atone for sin, despite the availability of the communicated word by which He makes Himself known, nevertheless we refuse, we rebel, we resolve to walk in the way that seems right to us. True of those outside of Christ. Far too often true of those of us in Christ who get tripped up by the old nature, the way of the world, and a persistent enemy. Nevertheless. It can be the worst of words.

Yet, praise God, it is the most beautiful of words when it is the nevertheless of a patient, loving, gracious God. When it draws our eyes to a God who is great in mercy and has promised not to forsake His people. When it turns our distracted hearts away from ourselves and towards the cross. When it provides fresh clarity into the gentle and lowly heart of Christ ready to receive, again and again, those He came to redeem, renew, and re-life for His glorious purposes (Matt. 11:28-30).

Nevertheless. Chewing on that one word this morning. Humbling yet exhilarating. Cause for repentance and confession. Cause for rejoicing and worship.

The worst of words the best of words . . .

Because of His abundant grace. Always for His everlasting glory.

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

Ready to Receive the Word

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Pete

Facedown or face to the ground? That is the question. Well, not really. It is a question. But in the overall scheme of things, not that important a question. Nevertheless, one I am chewing on this morning. And not because what they did needs to be determined exactly, but why they did it should be internalized deeply.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

(Nehemiah 8:5-6 ESV)

I never cease to be stirred by the scene pictured in Nehemiah 8 as the word is brought by Ezra and sought by the people. In my mind’s eye I see Ezra, the teacher priest, ready, willing, and able to bring God to men and women through His revelation. They’ve built a platform, not to elevate Ezra but to elevate the word and maximize the opportunity for as many to hear as wanted to hear. And many wanted to hear, “both men and women and all who could understand” gathered with “attentive ears” in order to hear what their communicating God had communicated (8:2, 3).

And, according to the ESV and the NKJV, all the people stood, they lifted their hands, and they bowed their heads and worshiped. Hands reaching to the heavens to receive, faces pointing to the earth to receive humbly. Their bodies visibly expressing their desire for things from above even as they defer in reverential acknowledgment that they are but creatures below.

But read other translations and you realize that the ESV translation is based on only one word in the original, the word “to bow.” Others translate “bow” as they kneeled, or bowed down, and thus literally put their faces on the ground in worship (CSB, NIV). They stood up, they lifted up, and then they bowed down. So, my question. Were they facedown or face to the ground? Doesn’t really matter, does it? Less about their bodies posture than the posture of their heart, isn’t it? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Sure, we’re not coming off of 70 years of exile as they were. Nor have we just completed a fifty-two day, wall-rebuilding marathon in the face of opposition as they did. But when the word of God is declared — either as we read it or hear it preached — isn’t it still the same God who is communicating? The great God of heaven and earth? The blessed LORD who graciously calls His people to Himself that He might make Himself known? The Almighty Creator who has condescended to communicate with those He has created in His image? Yes it is. Would it be unreasonable, then, to think our heart posture should be the same? I want to suggest, no it wouldn’t.

Why would we not stand to receive, lift our hands to take hold, and put our faces to the ground (either figuratively or literally) in wonder and awe, whenever we encounter the word of God? Not physically necessarily (though that might not be a bad exercise from time to time), but at least internally. Hearts wide open in wonder and worship, with desire and deference. Ready to receive the word.

Always available, by His grace. Promised to be effectual, for His glory.

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

Embracing Righteous Living

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Pete

Things don’t always go according to plan, but that doesn’t invalidate the plan. Stuff may not work as it should, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t know how it’s supposed to work. And, while things may not be going according to plan now, while stuff may feel out of whack presently, we need to remember the story’s not done.

So, sticking to the plan, and knowing how things are intended to work, is the way of smart living. Believing that the plan will be accomplished some day, that all things will one day work according to their design, is the way of faith living. And that’s why it’s the way of wisdom to embrace righteous living.

As I hover over Proverbs 11 I’m struck by all the “promises” made to the righteous, all the benefits associated with walking in the way of righteousness. And, honestly, many of them I just don’t see always playing out in the here and now.

The righteous is delivered from trouble . . .

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices . . .

. . . one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

The desire of the righteous ends only in good . . .

. . . the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

(Proverbs 11:8, 10, 18, 23, 28 ESV)

I take particular note of stuff like this because I am among the righteous (though not the perfect . . . oh, so not the perfect).

I am righteous in Christ (Rom. 3:21-21, 2Cor. 5:21) with a righteousness that comes through faith alone by God’s grace alone (Rom. 1:16-17, Rom. 8:3-4). What’s more, as I seek to walk by the Spirit I seek to walk in the practical, functioning reality of righteousness — not just resting on the laurels of what’s been credited to my account but desiring to actual live out what’s been supernaturally rewired into my new nature.

So, shouldn’t the Proverbs “promises” concerning the righteous be playing out? I’m thinking. Do they always? Nope. So what’s the deal?

The deal is they will work out. God wired this world to function based on righteousness. Flourishing is dependent on a dynamic of veracity, integrity, authenticity, and purity. Right hearts doing the right things for the right reasons — aka righteousness. But this world is not going according to plan. Stuff’s not working as it was intended. Thus, the current, on-going work of redemption. But eventually, redemption’s work will be consummated with a world which functions as planned and works as was originally wired.

We were born for that world. By God’s grace we were re-born for that world. And that’s why, even now in this broken world, we pursue the way of the world to come and embrace righteous living. We walk according to the promises of righteousness even while not yet realizing the full reality of those promises. But the reality is coming. That’s why we walk by faith and not by sight (2Cor. 5:7).

We are the righteous, the righteous in Christ. Thus, the promises are ours. We will be delivered from trouble, we will receive a sure reward, we will flourish, all things will end in good, and the city — the city of God — will one day rejoice when it goes well for us.

Thus, we stand firm in our righteous standing. We live embracing righteous living. We seek to do what’s right in the power of the One who lives in us and through us by His Spirit. We confess and repent when we don’t do what’s right, confident in the on-going redeeming, cleansing power of the cross.

And we do so by the grace of God. And we do so for the glory of God.

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

Wisdom — Found, Fulfilling, Fruitful

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over three verses in Proverbs 10 this morning.

On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

(Proverbs 10:13, 23, 31 ESV)

The trigger word for all three verses? Wisdom.

Wisdom is found on the lips. Wisdom is fulfilling to the soul. Wisdom is fruitful as it’s imparted to others.

More and more as I read Proverbs I find myself translating wisdom as Jesus. So, Jesus is found on the lips of those with understanding. Jesus is the desired pursuit of those who have been gifted with insight from above. Jesus then is the fruit of the righteous.

He’s our number one topic of conversation because He’s the number one pursuit of our lives, the number one expression of who we are.

He’s not part of the pie, He defines the pie. He holds the pie together. He is what gives an unearthly flavor to the pie.

He came that we should experience life abundantly (Jn. 10:10). That life is fully realized as we are immersed in Jesus. Preoccupied with Him in all facets of life — from the mundane to the most vital aspects of life. Wisdom from above is required for flourishing below.

If wisdom is, as some suggest, what’s needed for skillful living, then we need to know the Author of Life (Acts 3:15) in order to gain those skills.

And when we know Him, even as we delight in Him, we will then, almost by default, bear the fruit of making Him known.

Oh, that His people would grow in Wisdom. That He might increase even as we decrease.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

Posted in Proverbs | Tagged , | 1 Comment

It’s Who You Know

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Pete

She builds her house. She prepares the food and sets the table. And then she sends out messengers and calls out to all with ears to hear:

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

(Proverbs 9:4-6 ESV)

I don’t think the simple here are simpletons. That those who lack sense are seen as dolts. Wisdom isn’t calling out in judgment with rebuke in her words. Rather, she is revealing a condition.

The simple are the naïve. Those who have a limited appreciation of life’s greater context and thus, walk in a simple, or naïve manner. Those who lack sense are those with deficient understanding of life’s transcendent dynamics. With little awareness of things above their primary GPS is driven by the material world below. They walk according to sensual cues rather than an awareness of divine guidance. And so, Wisdom sets the table and extends the invitation.

And it’s clear that leaving your simple ways, walking in the way of insight, and living life as life was meant to be lived is less about what you do and, apparently, all about who you know.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

(Proverbs 9:10 ESV)

While the fear of the LORD — an overshadowing sense of self-debasing awe and reverence for the Creator — is the beginning of wisdom, it’s the knowledge of Him that brings insight and discernment. To know God is to navigate life as life was meant to be navigated. To grow in our understanding of the Divine is to flourish in the realm of the commonplace. It’s not what you do, it’s who you know.

Could it be that simple? I’m thinking. Is it easy. Hmm . . . nope!

Naturally we are most connected to the material. Instinctively we cede control to our senses. Simply we respond to the appetites of our flesh. Sinfully we default to worshiping ourselves. But remarkably, Wisdom seeks to intervene by setting a table at which we can grow in our knowledge of the Almighty.

Somehow, many have developed a disdain for pursing the knowledge of God. That’s a quest for the academic, some say. Knowledge puffs up, others warn. But what does Wisdom say?

Hear her call. Avail yourself of a seat at her table. There grow in the knowledge of the Holy One. And then go do life to the full.

It all begins with who we know and how well we know Him.

Really? That simple? Yeah, by faith I believe it is. Thus, I am going to trust it is and act as if it is.

Set me a seat at the table.

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

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

Don’t Let Go

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Pete

Proverbs 8 is what always seals it for me — the person of Wisdom in Proverbs is the Person of Christ. When wisdom calls, it’s Christ calling. What wisdom offers, Christ offers. To seek wisdom is to seek Christ. For, in Proverbs 8, wisdom, or should I spell it Wisdom, was there in the beginning.

When God established the earth she was there (8:27). When God architected land, sea, and sky, when the LORD marked out all the foundations of the earth, Wisdom “was beside Him, like a master workman” (8:30). Tell me that isn’t Jesus (John 1:1-3). Wisdom, the Creator’s daily delight — doesn’t that also sound familiar (Mt. 3:17)?

So, when Wisdom offers herself for all who would seek her, it is Jesus offering Himself. When Wisdom speaks, I hear Jesus speaking. And this morning, I’m hearing Him say, “Don’t let go.”

“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD . . .”

(Proverbs 8:32-35 ESV)

Wisdom (Jesus) is the way. Offering counsel, insight, and strength, she calls and raises her voice beckoning all who will to come and listen, heed, and put into practice. She promises that those who diligently seek her will find her (8:17b). Promises that she will give an abundant inheritance to those who love her (8:21). Thus, she urges all who would hear her voice to listen to her voice. To hear her instruction. To watch daily at her gates. To wait expectantly at her doors. For whoever finds her, says Wisdom (says Jesus), finds life.

And for those who find her, for those who have posted up at her gate and pitched their tent at her door, she also says, “Do not neglect it.”

Don’t neglect the way of Wisdom. Don’t ignore it (CSB). Don’t disdain it (NKJV). Literally, don’t loosen your grip on it. Don’t let go.

Familiarity may not always breed contempt, but how often does it breed complacency? How prone are we to take for granted that which has become constant and common? How likely are we to loosen our grip on that which has become ordinary? Let me suggest pretty often, very prone, and really likely.

Only as our hearts are constantly set to seek Wisdom, and only by Wisdom’s enabling grace, does that which once was new remain new. Does that which seemed so vital for life remain vital for life. Only as we hold on tight will we know the continual in-pouring of living water, satisfying every thirst even as it generates a thirst for more.

Every morning Wisdom wants to find us watching at her gates. Every day she anticipates her encounter with us as we wait at her doors. Those who have sought her and found her need to keep seeking her. Believing that she is always the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only means of knowing favor from the Father (John 14:6).

Don’t neglect me, says Wisdom. Don’t let go.

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

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

Excuses

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Pete

In Luke 14, Jesus didn’t need to manufacture an object lesson, He reclined at one. Dining at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees created a ready-made on-ramp for talking about wedding feasts, dinners, and banquets and how common hospitality dynamics could point to divine kingdom principles.

One of the guests was picking up what Jesus was laying down, liking what Jesus was alluding to:

When one of those who reclined at table with [Jesus] heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

(Mark 14:15 ESV)

Yup, sounded pretty good. A place where people humbling themselves is valued (14:10-11). A space where all are welcome — not just friends, relatives, and the rich, but also the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind (14:13). Marked by grace, freely sharing the table in anticipation of a table that will be freely shared with them “at the resurrection of the just” (14:14). For sure, “Hashtag Blessed” to get an invitation to that gig.

But Jesus has one more story to tell and it begins with “but.” Knowing the hearts of men and women, Jesus warned that, unless what sounded pretty good was deemed to be counted as the absolute best, it could easily be displaced by other “Hashtag blessed” opportunities.

In the story a man is giving a great banquet. An over-the-top feast. A you-don’t-want-to-miss-it, once in a lifetime event. Says something about the event, says something about the man. Rich, powerful, generous — for he invited many.

Save the date cards were sent out. Ample time provided for arranging one’s schedule around the feast to come. But most of those who RSVP’d that they’d be there because it sounded like a good thing, ended up bailing because they were preoccupied with what they considered to be better things.

“And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ ”

(Mark 14:17-20 ESV)

Nothing wrong with investing in assets. Nothing wrong with tending to your business. Nothing wrong with wanting to be with the missus. All good things. But, Jesus would seem to be saying, not the best things when they compete with the kingdom thing of being invited to a great banquet.

The gospel call is an invitation to a feast. What’s more, the message of the finished work of the cross offering a seat at a table in heaven is not just a good thing, it is the best thing. The thing that all other things should be ordered around. Sadly, many weigh it as lesser thing or, a nothing.

The principle continues to apply, I think, even to those who have responded to the invitation and have come to the table. Having come to the table, they grow weary of the table, or take for granted the table, and thus are distracted by good things and walk away from the table. But we need to always value the table even as we keep pursuing our place at the table. Isn’t that why Jesus calls the believers in Ephesus back to the table (Rev. 3:20)?

Excuses. So many excuses. Excuses not to show in the first place. Or leave early in the second place. Or just play around at the table in the third place. Rather than giving the table the preeminent place.

How I need to beware of excuses. Of placing good things above the best thing.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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

To Serve is to Gain

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Pete

Okay, giving myself a bit of freedom this morning to springboard from the primary context to make a wider application. Taking a specific observation and suggesting a broader principle. That serving others, while benefiting others, benefits the server as well.

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

(1Timothy 3:13 ESV)

The context is qualifications for those who would hold the office of deacon within the church. Qualifications very similar to the qualifications listed for those being drawn to oversee, or pastor, the church.

The specific observation that arrests me this morning is that those who serve well as deacons “gain a good standing” and “great confidence” through serving. Faithful servants of the church are noted, respected, and esteemed. Faithful service for the church begets greater confidence within a deacon concerning what they believe because, I’m thinking, they experience the reality of the enabling power through Whom they believe. Thus deacons who serve well grow well. We shouldn’t be surprised when those who are faithful with little are entrusted with much and are emboldened to take on more (Matt. 25:21).

True of deacons, says Paul. True, I want to suggest, of all who serve.

There’s no special word for the office of deacon, it’s defined solely by context. The word for deacon is the same word used for servant and serving. Thus, a literal translation of this verse could be, “Those who serve well serving gain . . . ” So, to serve is to gain.

A faithful sister, willing to serve as able every Sunday morning — whether during the service she attends or the one she doesn’t — once put it this way, “Serving isn’t about providing an experience, it is the experience.” It’s not just about doing your part for others, it’s about availing yourself of God doing His work in you. Beyond just completing a task it’s walking in the way of the kingdom. Less about doing a job, more about imitating Jesus.

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” ~ Jesus

(Mark 10:43b-45 ESV)

Those who serve well as servants grow well. Those who find joy in doing for others, flourish. Those who think no task too small in order to benefit the body, thrive.

Not that we would do just to get. But that we would recognize that one avenue of sanctifying grace is through faithful service. That transformation comes from taking on tasks. That as we model Christ, Christ in us molds us to be more like Himself. And so, serving others well isn’t just about providing an experience for them, it is experiencing a kingdom dynamic within us.

To serve is to gain.

Because of grace. For His glory.

Posted in 1Timothy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

In His Confidence, In Context

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Pete

I look back in my journal and note that it’s the same verse in this day’s reading plan that’s arrested my attention for the past three years. I go back and read my entries from 2018, 2019, and 2020 — encouraged and blessed by what encouraged and blessed me then. But as I continue to hover over those three words penetrating my heart, I realize there’s a context I’ve failed to consider. A definition I’ve failed to discern. An in-truth reality that needs to accompany my imputed righteousness.

. . . but the upright are in His confidence.

(Proverbs 3:32b ESV)

In His confidence. Those are the three words that have been sticking every year for the past few years. Less about what is known by being in the confidence of the Creator, intended more to emphasize the understood relationship of those who enjoy the insider’s seat. That’s why other translations render it: He is a friend to the upright (CSB); But He is intimate with the upright (NASB); He offers his friendship to the godly (NLT). To have access to the “His secret counsel” (NKJV) implies a depth of relationship marked by intimacy available only to those welcomed into the inner circle.

Noodle on that. As the upright, robed in the imputed righteousness of Christ through the finished work of the cross, we are “in” with the God of heaven and earth. And we know it not only in theory, but we experience it every time He illuminates His word as we read it and grasp something of the secret counsel of the Almighty. That should be mind-blowing! Awe-evoking! Praise-producing!

But wait! There’s a context here. And it relates not to an imputed righteousness but to a practiced righteousness.

Proverbs 3:32 is preceded by six “do not” commands. Do not withhold good when it’s in your power to do good. Do not brush off a neighbor in need when you can meet that need. Do not plan evil against your neighbor. Do not contend with someone for no reason. Do not envy the ways of violent men nor be drawn into those ways when it seems expedient to do so. Don’t, don’t, don’t . . .

Then comes the verse.

. . . for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in His confidence.

(Proverbs 3:32 ESV)

The upright are the opposite of the devious, those who walk a crooked or deviated path. To be in His confidence, to know Him as friend, is the opposite of being an abomination. And while our eternal standing as the upright is secure because we are in Christ, our current experience as the upright is very much a factor of our obedience.

While we will sit with Him in close communion around His banquet table on that day, if today we want to know the intimate connection of abiding fellowship, then by His enabling power we purpose to do the to do’s and to don’t the do not’s. Not that our salvation depends on our obedience, but that practically knowing daily intimacy with the God who takes us into His confidence is connected to our obedience. Experiencing friendship with God is frustrated when we walk in disobedience to God.

That’s why we aspire to walk a worthy walk. That’s why we’re quick to confess our sin when our walk goes unworthy, or our heart goes AWOL and we’re faking the walk. Why we make a beeline to the cross, once again welcoming that well worn path. Not because we presume on grace so that we can keep on keep sinning, but that we know He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin when we do falter, fail, and find ourselves distanced from friendship and sincerely want to abide in His confidence.

In His confidence. What a blessing to be welcomed into the secret things of heaven by the God of heaven.

In His confidence in context. O, that we might practically know that insider’s place through a holy determination to walk in faithful obedience.

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

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