Can you be a shalom peacemaker if you do not have shalom yourself?

The other night we were studding the beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). And we asked ourselves what is peace? The first thoughts were that it is the absence or cessation of hostilities, no longer pointing guns at each others heads, but still keeping the guns. But the ones to whom this beatitude was given were Jews, and they would have understood this peace to be the Hebrew concept of shalom. Shalom has the much broader meaning of peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. And the fact of the matter is that most peacemakers in the world today facilitate the cessation of hostilities, not the bringing the wider concept of shalom.

When Jesus commissioned the twelve to go out to preach the gospel and heal the sick He told them “when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it” (Matthew 10:12, 13). When Jesus speaks here of “your peace,” He is talking about the shalom peace that He gives (John 14:27). And the implication of “let your peace come upon it,” has the sense that we, like Jesus can give it to others. But the last half of Matthew 10:13 instructs the disciples to let their peace return if the household it not worthy. I have the sense here that we are not “cast our pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6) in other words to not indiscriminately give away you peace. I find in my own life, that I can easily loose my peace, and that when I do it is something of a battle to receive it again (see Philippians 4:4-8).

Jesus calls peacemakers “blessed” and “children of God.” Peacemakers are children of God because peacemakers are doing the work of the heavenly Father to bring peace to as many as will receive Him (John 1:12). But to answer the question in the title we cannot be a shalom maker if we do not have shalom. You cannot give what you do not have. Being a peacemaker is often very difficult, since many times you are absorbing the tension and the accusations etc., from the warring parties. And if you are not very carful you will be blamed by both sides for not taking their side. The picture I have of this is someone trying to come between warring dogs. Nevertheless, the World desperately needs peacemakers. We are not all, I believe, called to be peacemakers between man and man. But we are in fact all called to be peacemakers between man and God (2 Corinthians 5:20). But be it between man and man, or between man and God, we need both His shalom and His wisdom about the when, and the where and the how of doing it.

Father, thank You this morning for the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Thank You that this peace is readily available to us (John 14:27). In fact it is part of the fruit of the Spirit that grows in us as we stay vitally connected to You (Galatians 5:22). Help us this morning Lord to rest in Your peace and be willing to share it as You lead us to, in Jesus Name Amen

For I will not trust in my bow ...

.... Nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies (Psalm 44:6, 7). The Psalmist was recalling the mighty deeds of God, and acknowledges His Sovereignty over the affairs of Israel. It was God who drove out the nations in the past, it was not by their own hand that the land was conquered, but because of God's favour (vv. 2, 3). But now God had cast them off and no longer went out with the armies (verse 9). Humbled, the Psalmist acknowledges God as his king, and pleads for God once more to be with them so as to get victory (vv 4, 5). We too, when we drift away from God, one way or another we end up in disaster. Perhaps we are reaping the consequences of bad decisions thus taking ourselves out from under His protection (Galatians 6:7). Or perhaps we have ceased to involve God at all and tried to do things in our own strength, thus failing to take advantage of His provision.

There are two verses that come to mind as I think on these things. The first, is “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), the second “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). It was not the bow or the sword that saved Israel. They could not win unless God went out with them (verse 9). But they did need to go out to battle, and when God was with them they won “through Him who strengthened them.” Partnership with God is crucial for the victorious Christian life. God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, but most of the time He will not do for us what we can do for ourselves.

But can we really do nothing without Him? Well yes and no! We can shake our fist in God's face and defy Him, and surely that is not something that God helps us with! But actually He gives life and breath (Isaiah 42:5), and could take it away at any time. So He allows this, and we could not do it without Him allowing it! But perhaps what is more relevant here, is that we can do nothing of eternal significance without Him, nothing that will last. Indeed “Unless the Lord build the house, those who labour labour in vain.” And concerning the wicked (all who refuse the Free gift of eternal life) “the grass withers, and its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So (for example) the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits” (James 1:11).

Father, the stanza of the poem by C.T Studd comes to mind. “Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Help us Lord to live for you today and every day in Jesus Name Amen

Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!...

... Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill (Psalm 43:3). Verse 5 of this short Psalm repeats for the third time the refrain of Psalm 42 “Why are you cast down, O my soul ....” In this way, the two Psalms are linked, and the circumstances (the exile in Babylon) have not changed. Have you ever found yourself in a trial that seems to go on, and on forever? The Psalmist would well be able to sympathize with you! Last day we were talking about our need to practice, practice, practice in order to rise above the circumstance. Part of what I want to say this morning, is that it is one thing to get the victory, it's quite another to keep it! In particular when God does not come through for us in our timing, there is this tendency to feel abandoned by Him “Why have You cast me off” (verse 2)?

It seems that even Jesus had these feeling, for on the cross He cried out “My God, my God why have You forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46)? I have certainly known both the initial certainty of deliverance, together with the despair of God taking what for me is too much time for Him to come through for me. At such times I have need both His light and His truth. The Lord had promised that the exile would end in seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10). It must have seemed like a lifetime :)! Well it was a lifetime, but how were they to live in the meantime? Jeremiah had sent word to the exiles in Babylon saying, “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives ... etc.” (Jeremiah 29:4-6). In other words, in the midst of this ongoing trial, they are to live life to the full “dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3b). If we are to trust and hope in the Lord we need Truth for this. For example (v 3a), we need to know He is faithful. We need to know that He is actively working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28).

I also need His light, His illumination, His leading (verse 3). For example, sometimes I need to get out of His way, and let Him work. At other times He may call me to act. He has told me that if I admit that I lack wisdom and ask Him for it, He will grant it (James 1:5). He knows I need reassurance over and over. Many times He sends me back to promises He has given, either in His word, or through a friend, a prophetic word, or a circumstance. What I must not do, it to withdraw from life, and/or settle for anything less than all He has for me. He has told me “ask and it shall be given, knock and the door shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7). And He has promised that when we have suffered for a “little while,” He will strengthen and settle me (1 Peter 5:10). I will dwell in the holy hill of His presence, and declare that He is my exceeding joy (verse 4).

Father, please grant us grace to be obedient in the long run. Help us to value and enjoy the journey, knowing You are faithful and will accomplished what You have declared (Jeremiah 29:10). In Jesus Name Amen

Why are you cast down, O my soul? ...

... And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance (Psalm 42:5). The Psalmist particular difficulty seems to have been his exile from fellowship of the saints at the Temple (verse 4), and as do many of us, he finds himself with a heart for God, but struggling under the pressures of circumstances. There is this tendency for us to put on a brave face, a “nothing bothers me” outward appearance that minimizes the struggles we all have. We seem to feel somehow if we are not always walking in glorious victory, we have somehow let the side down. But even Jesus struggled, and could cry out “Now is my soul troubled” (John 12:27). When we minimize, and/or deny that we struggle, we do not come across as real. And if we do this in leadership, we essentially encourage them like us, to wear masks and not to be real!

There is a big difference between practicing and pretending. I am called to rejoice in the Lord always, but if you tell me you always rejoice, I am sorry, but I don't believe you. Many of the commands of the Scripture are goals to seek to attain, not places at which where we arrive without ongoing struggle. Let me paraphrase 1 Corinthians 10:12 – let he who pretends that he always has it together take care lest he fall! We cannot put into practice the Biblical command to confess our faults one to another (James 5:16) if we do not admit to ourselves and others that “in many things we all fail” (James 3:2). Note “many things,” and “all!” In order to obey the twice repeated command to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4), we need to practice, practice, practice. There are many things that seek to steal our joy. I find I need to keep repenting of the fact that I have allowed the evil one to use people and circumstances to interrupt it. There is a book I have never read, but the title says it all “Repentance, the joy filled life.” It is practice, practice, practice.

There is a process of moving into, and substantially staying in, the victorious Christian life. The Psalmist shows us the way. In particular he councils himself “Soul,” he asks himself “why are you disquieted within me?” Is there some known sin not confessed, is there some resentment I am holding onto, am I beating myself up for something I did, what have I allowed, or am allowing myself to be discouraged by? He then instructs himself to “Hope in God,” and then choose in faith to believe that whatever it is, God will bring him through to the place where once again he can enter into praise.

Father, in the midst of many who are wearing masks and pretending that they have it all together, it is very tempting to put on the same mask. We don't want to appear weak Lord, but if I always appear to be strong how does that help those who are struggling? The feel they could never be like us (God forbid!). I need to demonstrate You bringing me through my difficulties, to give them hope You can bring them through theirs. Help us to be open and vulnerable Lord, and be willing to admit it when we are weak, for in reality, it is then that we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10) In Jesus Name Amen

It is not good to give the children’s bread to puppies

Jesus on earth was human (1 John 4:2), and Jesus got tired. And had gone outside the borders of Israel to get away, but He could not be hidden (Mark 7:24). A Syro-Phoenician woman comes to Him, begging Him to cast the daemon out of her daughter. The title (verse 27) is what Jesus answered. Dogs (kuon in the Greek) was a derogatory term the Jews used for the Gentiles. Jesus uses the word kunarion (little dogs or puppies) in this verse, softening His rejection with this term connoting endearment. This action seems out of character with the Jesus we know. Some have suggested He was testing her, and perhaps He was! But He had gotten away for a reason, and the saying itself seems to convey that He had only so much to give, and that He was called to the house of Israel, not to the Gentiles (verse 7). Jesus was human, and in His humanity he had limitations. If not then we can applaud Him, but we can never be like Him!

This point is important, and is one of the verses used to suggest that we need have healthy boundaries. There is much to say about this, and I recommend the book “Boundaries” by Christian authors Cloud and Townsend. Boundaries are about when to say yes, and when to say no. Sometimes saying no is the Christian thing to do. Saying yes when the person could do the thing himself, is teaching them that they don't need to take responsibility for their lives. Sometimes we need to say no, like Jesus did because we have given and given, and we need to come aside a while and rest (Mark 6:31). We cannot do everything, and if we try, we will do nothing well. The Lord has specific ministries for us, things that He has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). We need to learn to do only those things which we see the Father doing (John 5:19). Seeing what the Father is doing is something we need to learn, not fully there yet! And we need to realize that business can be an idol!

The response to Jesus “no” is interesting. She says “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs” (verse 28). The interesting thing about ministry is that sometimes it is draining, and sometimes it is empowering. Ministering to those who are not yet ready to fully submit to God can be of the first type, if we let them. And this shows again the need for boundaries! But I believe what this woman said to Jesus thrilled His heart, and that this response of faith empowered Him. For sure there are times when He tests us seeking to draw out our faith. And there are time when like Jacob, we need to wrestle with God and refuse to let Him go, until He blesses us (Genesis 32:26).

Father, Your Word tells us that without faith is it impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6). Lord, I want to thrill Your heart like I believe the Syro-Phoenician woman did. I also know that the testing of our faith is what causes it to grow and for us to stand up under trial (James 1:3). So teach us Lord to be patient in trail, and teach us to “see” what You are doing so that we may do only those things in Jesus Name Amen

This people honours Me with their lips ...

... But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Mark 7:6, 7). The Scribes and the Pharisees complained that the disciples ate food without the traditional ritual cleansing of their hands. And Jesus quotes this saying from Isaiah calling them hypocrites. Tradition and ritual are fine in their place when they serve their purpose, to remind us of the truths of the faith and to turn out hearts to true worship. And the heart of the matter is the heart, and the problem comes when the ritual and the traditions become just as important, or more important than the truths of which they should be reminding us. This was the case with the Scribes and the Pharisees. And the problem was that it was not just about the ritual washing of hands, no, it went much, much deeper. When it is more, or all about keeping the traditions than it is about heart connection with God, it has a form of worship, but ti is empty, vain, futile, and without profit (the force of the Greek).

I remember years ago getting some serious backlash for a similar thing. Church structure is there to serve, to give a framework to hold things together, not as an end in itself. And when the structures become rigid and prohibit progress, or when structure becomes more important than pastoral concerns, there is a problem. My defence to my detractors was “I was naive enough to believe you would prefer truth to tradition.” Perhaps I could have found a gentler way to say it. But then Jesus was blunt at times too, I mean hypocrites? Part of the problem here, is that the Lord is, shall we say, rather demanding. He tells us “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). I mean how do I know when I am holy enough? It is easier if I can reduce His demands to a bunch of rules that it is possible to obey, then perhaps I can be confident of His acceptance. But the problem with this, is that my heart is then likely to look down on others because they don't keep the rules I think they should keep. And if I am not very careful I will earn the same rebuke (hypocrite) that the Scribes and the Pharisees engendered.

It is this sort of consideration that likely cause Paul to say that the Law is there to teach us our need of the salvation that comes through Christ (Galatians 3:24). Then there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Jesus does not want to improve us, He wants to kill us, kill the old heart out of which flow “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit etc., etc. (Mark 7:21, 22). I am thankful for the new heart that I received at salvation (Ezekiel 11:19). You see it is not a matter of maturity, of having arrived, it is a matter of being transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Father, I am thankful for the lives of believers who are young in the Lord. Frankly some of their lives are a mess, reaping what they have sown in their before conversion activities. But Lord though in may ways they have a long way to go (as do I), they are in the process of being transformed, and it is exciting and thrilling to watch. Help us Lord, help me, not to sit on our (my) laurels, but rather be provoked to love and good works by their gratitude and passion for You, in Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins

Peter tells us that those of us who lack love, among other things, have forgotten that we were cleansed from our sins, and we are blind and far off (2 Peter 1:9). So then it is not just hatred that is blind, but lack of love! I am grateful this morning that there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). I mean who can say they have enough Christ like love (Ephesians 5:23)?  And what the Lord is doing in my heart this morning is calling me up to the high calling in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Hatred bitterness and resentment warp our spiritual seeing, and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). This morning's verse from Proverbs 10:12, speaks about hatred stirring up, awakening, or reawakening strife.

Hatred is blind, refusing to see the good in the other person, and we are all a mixture of good and evil. Hatred goes further than this, hatred sees things that are not there, casts suspicion on motives, and jumps to unwarranted conclusions. Hatred interprets even the good in a bad light, saying for example they are only doing that to manipulate me into forgiving them, or for some other reason. And all this is infections, it draws others into the suspicion and the name calling and the false accusations. And we need to know that the Lord hates the one who sows such discord among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16, 18).

But there is a sense in which love is willingly blind. In 1 Corinthians 13:7 Paul tells us that love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. In other words love believes the best of a person until the evidence dictates otherwise. At that point love hopes the evidence wrong, and when even that is no longer possible, love endures. But please do not confuse this with allowing someone to abuse you. Allowing someone to abuse you is not good for either of you. We need healthy boundaries for both our sakes. Nevertheless we are to love one other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Father, I am grateful this morning that love is a verb, because I don't always feel lovey dovey. It is good when I do, but love is an action. Your Word admonishes us to not love in word only, but in deed and in truth. And part of loving in truth, is to speak the truth in love at appropriate times. I need Your Grace and Your wisdom to do this Lord. And it is one more reminder for me that without You I can do nothing (John 15:5). Give me the wherewithal Lord to love in practical ways that cause no harm. Give me grace to not take offense, and to be willing to overlook offenses in Jesus Name I pray, Amen

LORD, make me to know my end ....

... what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am (Psalm 39:4). The fear of death, acknowledged or unacknowledged, keeps us in life long bondage (Hebrews 2:15). We tend to push it down, out of (spiritual) sight, out of mind! It keeps is from praying this prayer. But the believer does not need to fear death, because perfect love casts out this fear (1 John 4:8). We are intended to know that we have eternal life, and that we shall not come to the judgement (John 5:24). But we too can be grieved by the wickedness of the world, and when we are, it can cause us like David to remain silent, and refrain even from the good (verse 2). I mean what is the use?

But in his silence David continued to muse on the wickedness of the wicked, and it caused his heart to burn hot within him (verse 3). And as I mediate on these things this morning, it is causing me to ask myself if I too and silent in the fact of the wickedness that is all around me. Am I intimidated into silence by the knowledge that anything I say is likely to be received negatively? David's reaction was the prayer of this morning's verse. Even though in Christ I have passed from life to death (John 5:24 again), I will be called into account for every idle word spoken or not spoken (Matthew 12:36). Davis response is to ask first, that he might know his end. When David observed the wicked, he become aware of his own sin (verses 8-11), and he asks the Lord to help him embrace the fact of the end of life, and to learn its lesson well. When we do not face the often unwelcome fact that we all have an end, we will not likely live with it in mind. Steven Covey in his book “The seven habits of highly effective people,” suggests that we imagine our funeral, and ask ourselves what would we want people to say about us at that time.”

In the second part of the verse he asks that the Lord would make him aware of the measure of his days, and how frail he is. Most of us live our lives according to the adage “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” When we know how fleeting is our life, we will not do that. And how fleeting is it? It is a vapour (vv. 5, 11), even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14). So then in light of all the wickedness that surrounds us, we need to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16). And we also need to know how frail we are, knowing that without Him we dan do nothing (John 15:5). We are totally dependent on God, and what we do, needs to be done in full cooperation with Him.

Father, on that day I will not be wishing I had sinned more, I will likely be wishing I had redeemed the time. I want on that day to hear “Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord (Matthew 25:23). So I pray with David this morning “make me to know my end, the measure of my days, and how frail I am.” And help me to live my life accordingly in Jesus Name Amen

He permitted only Peter, James, and John

I remember a cartoon on facebook talking about a man who had died. The comment was that he had 576 friends on Facebook, but nobody came to his funeral. To me it was not really funny, because it speaks a truth about our culture, the truth that we are connected at some level superficially with many, but sometimes with none deeply. To put is another way we can be lonely in the midst of the crowd. Jesus had twelve disciples who He called friends (John 15:15), and of the twelve Peter, James and John were somehow special. You would think that the other nine might be jealous, and in fact they likely were (Matthew 20:24). But Jesus makes no apologies for singling out the three!

I have more questions this morning than I have answers. The quote is from Mark 5:37, where Jesus was about to raise Jairus' daughter from the dead (vv 22ff). My question here is was it because the three had faith, I mean he shut out those with unbelief (verse 40)? I know myself I find it hard when I ask for prayer and somebody prays doubting it is God's will. I would rather they did not pray. I mean if it really is not God's will, He can say “no.” “No” is an answer. The Lord told Paul “no,” and yet he prayed again twice for the same thing (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9). I would rather bring Him my desires and be told no that to come with feeble faith. We are told to come boldly before the throne of Grace (Hebrew 4:16).

But it was not because of possible unbelief that Jesus took the same three on the mountain of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1). And so back to the friendship theme. God knows no favourites, or perhaps it is better to say we are all His favourites. But Jesus does not try to have the same relationship with everyone. Research has shown that it not possible to have close relationships with more than about twelve people, and it is probably not possible to have really close relationships with more than three or four. And we don't need to apologize for that, Jesus didn't. And this emphasizes for me again the humanity of Jesus. He came as a Spirit filled man, and as a Spirit filled man He is our example of what a Spirit filled man (or woman) looks like.

Father, I am not God and I am not responsible for the whole of the universe. In fact I have had to resign that position several times! Jesus was, and is God, but He laid aside His Godhead (Philippians 2:7) and so He is our example. Lord I cannot please everyone, and I cannot be everyone's best friend. Show me Lord how to navigate this, I want to be more like Jesus. I have a ways to go Lord, we all do, but I want to thank You this morning that You have promised to keep on working on us until that day when we will see You as You are because we will be like You (Philippians 1:6; 1 John 3:2) in Jesus Name Amen

Peace, be still

The storm had threatened to sink the boat,  and Jesus was asleep on a a pillow. They had woken Him, He rebuked the wind, and gave this command, and “the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39) . The thought that keeps coming back to me again and again as I read the gospel narratives is that everything that Jesus did, He did as a Spirit filled man. The disciples were afraid and marvelled, and I would have too. In fact I do, but the verse that is coming to me as I type is “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). I like what Bill Johnson says about this incident “You have authority over every storm that you can sleep through.” Apparently puzzled, Jesus asks the disciple “Why are you so fearful? Do you not yet have faith” (verse 40)?

Not every translation of verse 40 brings out the force of the Greek. Other passages amplify what He is saying, for example “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you” (Mark 9:19). I ask the Lord morning by morning not for  something not to just write in the blog, but for something that is applicable to my life. Well here it is. Over the years I have seen miracle after miracle and yet though at some level faith has taken,  I am not yet where I want to be. The Lord has used me to heal other, and I have had healings in my own body, yet I am a long way from seeing the grater things in my own ministry. What I am saying, is that once again the example of Jesus challenges me. Since there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1), the Lord is not calling us (me) out, He is calling us up. And the prayer that comes to me again is “I believe help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

It's not that He has not already given all that we need, but like all things that are given,  they need to be received, appropriated. He tells us “I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Like 10:19). The enemy came to kill steal and destroy, and Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy (1 John 3:8).  And He has left us as His hands and feet to accomplish this,  in our generation. I know this, and you know this,  and we need to rise to our calling. We need more that the prayer I believe help my unbelief, I do. We need revelation, the opening of our eyes to see the reality of what has been given,  so we may embrace it. Pray with me

Father I pray for myself and all reading this blog that "You would give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You, that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward us who believe, according to the working of Your mighty power which You worked in Christ when You raised Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:17-20). Help us to see and embrace these things Lord, in Jesus Name Amen"

For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed

We are into the parables in  Mark 4 in our daily reading. The conventional wisdom that parables are only earthly stories with heavenly meanings is inadequate. In particular they are for those inside the Kingdom to understand, but also so those outside will not hear (v. 11, 12). The “For” in the title quote (v. 22) was puzzling to me, since in the previous verse Jesus was saying you don't put a lamp under a bed. And the “For” acts as “because,” i.e. you don't put a lamp under a bed, because all will be revealed. Jesus is not saying here, as He does elsewhere, that we are to let our light shine before men (Matthew 5:16). And it is in this same context, that He says (twice) “If anyone has ears, let him hear” (vv. 9, 23). You know, the Lord gave us two ears and one mouth, but we don't listen very well! Two verses come to mind, firstly that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” secondly  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out” Colossians 2:3; Proverbs 5:22).

We are responsible for what we hear, so it is His mercy that conceals things from those outside. But God wants to fascinate those of us on the inside. Little children love hid-go seek. It has to do with the joy of discovery. But too often we become “dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11), but our fascinating God wants us to pursue Him. We are kings and priests (Revelation 5:10), and it is glory to pursue Him and His Word. After all He is the Word (John 1:1). So let me ask us (yes you and me) a question this morning. Am I stuck, have we settled, in and are content with where we are in Christ, or are we eager for the more of God? In verse 24 He tells us “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.”

As I meditate on these things this morning, I am feeling that the Lord is stirring my spirit and inviting me to pursue Him afresh again. I don't want to be a casual Christian, I don't want to loose my child likeness in the joy of discovery in my wonderful fascinating God. I need His help of course, but He also wants me to pursue Him. Nobody wants a limp lover, neither me nor you, nor the Lord. So what is He saying here? Tyndale commentary gave me a clue. God has not hidden His light under the bed, but is revealing it to those who keep on seeking, and keep on knocking (Matthew 7:7). And indeed, there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, but it is for joy and glory that we can keep on seeking it out. But only if we have ears to hear!

Father, thank You that when I seek,  more will be given. I confess to laziness at times this morning Lord. Please continue to draw me to not be satisfied with anything less that all the fullness of God. It dwelt in You Lord Jesus as a Spirit filled man, and because it was in You as a man, it is available to us. Give us ears to hear Lord, in Your precious Name Amen

Do not fret because ....

Three times in this morning's reading from Psalm 37:1-11, we are told not to fret (vv. 1, 7. 8). I can't resist the silly joke that this prohibits playing guitar in church. As always the Hebrew words are richer than ours, and “fret” is just one possible translation here. And what it can also mean is to be angry, to be aroused; to burn with anger; to rage; to be jealous; to compete, to contend with; to fret. When a thing is repeated it's important, when it is repeated twice, it's very important. Well, fretting is our default, and we have to wage spiritual warfare to overcome it. There are many reasons to not fret, this Psalm gives some of them, and some of the antidotes. In verse 1 should not fret, be aroused or burn, because of evildoers. There is plenty of wood for that fire! In verse 7 we must not fret because evildoers seem to prosper. In verse 8, it is because fretting causes harm, it does no good and it changes nothing. Easier said than done, right?

The serenity prayer talks about changing the things I can. So what am I instructed to do? Well I need to trust, do good, live life to the full and feed my mind, soul and spirit with thoughts of His faithfulness (verse 3). we are to delight ourselves in Him (v 4), and I can do this because He Himself is my exceedingly great reward (Genesis 15:1). I am to commit my way to Him, trusting that when we do our part, He will do His. We need to wait patiently on His timing, and to rest in Him (vv 5,7). Part of feeding on His faithfulness is holding fast to His promises, first of all of my vindication when I walk in these instructions (v. 6); and second of all, knowing by faith and His character, that He will deal with the wickedness (vv. 2, 9, 10). Note the thrice repetition, His dealing with wickedness us sure. His Kingdom will come, His will will be done!

Two more things, fitly his section of the Psalm finishes with “But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” The Hebrew word translated here as land is “haretz.” The Hebrews would understand this as the Biblical land of Israel. Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 5:5 where it is the earth, and ultimately it is the new heavens and the new earth. Our rewards are both in the here and now, and in eternity (see Psa 27:13 NKJV). The second things, is that in another part of this morning's readings we see that Jesus' family thought that He was out of His mind, and the Pharisees accused Him of casting out daemons by Satan (Mark 3:21,22). So if you have been misunderstood, know this morning that Jesus has been there too and wants to come along side you to encouragement (Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 11:28-30).

Father, the line from the hymn comes to mind this morning “though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” Help us Lord when we are temped to fret, or if we are in the middle of fretting, to take advanced of Your tools, Your truths and Your deliverances. We choose this morning Lord to replace our anxiety by feeding on Your faithfulness, and bringing our prayers and supplication to You with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:4-7) in Jesus Name Amen

“Those who are well have no need of a physician

... but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17). Jesus had just had one of His many encounters with the Pharisees. This time He was being criticized for eating with the tax collectors and sinners. We are not told precisely who the sinners were, nor what was the precise nature of their sin, but they were certainly not Pharisees, at least at this point in time (c.f. Luke 7:40-43). It we take this verse on its own, rather than in the context of the whole of the gospels, it would be easy to think that Jesus was saying that the Pharisees were righteous. But elsewhere He tells us that “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you will in no wise enter the kingdom” (Matthew 5:20). The scriptures also tell us that all our (self) righteousness is as filthy rags in the Lord's sight (Isaiah 64:6). So what is going on here? Does the Lord not want to reach Pharisees?

Well, the Lord is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). But this occasion was not the time to preach the gospel to them. In their self righteousness they could not hear. I have often said we can't understand the good news until we understand the bad (i.e. Romans 3:23). Perhaps He was provoking them to jealousy (c.f. Romans 11:14). But in any case , He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Here He was seeking to save those who knew perfectly well they were lost. Though our society is a far cry from the religiosity of ancient Israel, the same divide is apparent in our culture. I hear people saying “I am a good person,” and from those who have a passing acknowledgement that there is a God, that “He will judge my good works along with my bad.” This, as if somehow helping little old ladies across the street would somehow atone for sins. God is a God of justice, and what we need is mercy not justice!

So the question we need to ask ourselves this morning is “Do I need the great Physician?” If I have cancer, but refuse to acknowledge it, I will not likely go to the Doctor. If I do not acknowledge my sin, I cannot claim the promise of forgiveness to those who confess it (1 John 1:9). And when we do not confess our sins, not only are we not forgiven, but “our bones waste away” (Psalm 32:3). I am quoting David of course, who is telling us poetically that unconfessed sin leads to sickness of both body and soul. Using the same picture David, in the “repentance” Psalm, cries out “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.” He goes on to ask “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (51:8-10).

Father, there is no greater joy than knowing that my sins are forgiven that I am cleanse from the pollution of it all, and You are renewing my spirit day by day. I confess that my sins were like scarlet, but now, by Your mercy, they are as white as freshly fallen snow (Isaiah 1:18). Thanks for the analogy Lord, but not too much more please (snow) in Jesus Name Amen

The LORD ... has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant

This quote (Psalm 35:27) caught my attention, possibly because I had recently been listing to a Youtube video for Patrica King. She was seeking to bring balance and correction to the “Prosperity gospel.” Those who teach it might conclude from this verse that God wants you to be rich. Certainly He would not take pleasure in you being poor. But consider that “the poor are rich in faith” (James 2:5), and “those who desire to get rich fall into temptation .. and into many foolish and harmful desires” (1 Timothy 6:9)! But also the word translated “prosperity” here, is not all about money. Among its meanings the Hebrew lexicon includes completeness, safety, soundness in body, welfare, health, prosperity; peace, quiet, tranquillity and contentment.

Capitalism is evil, but it is better than anything else we know. Why evil? Well, because it is driven by greed, and the marketing that sustains it teaches us to covert. Covetousness is idolatry (Exodus 20:17; Colossians 3:5). Idolatry is about putting our trust in anything that's not God. And as above, it is ultimately destructive. I find some of the thinly veiled manipulation of the televangelists, grievous. I know that it puts many off the gospel. I do not judge, because each one must give an account to God. That does not mean I don't grieve, and I was heartened to learn that a well known televangelists had publicly repented for his part in the excesses of the prosperity gospel. Some see the success of such ministries as God's endorsement, but we need to remember that “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29), and there are certainly successful rich people who are wicked, does God approve of that?

But we can go the the other extreme and preach a poverty gospel. Good for you if you feel lead to make a vow of poverty. But please don't teach that God wants everyone to be poor, that'a not Biblical. Certainly there are examples in the scriptures (Acts 2:44,45). But we must not make a theology out of example. Paul in talking about giving Paul says “I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened” (2 Corinthians 8:13). It is not always easy to find the right balance. We do need to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10). But when Mary was criticized for her extravagant worship, Jesus tells that “the poor you always have with you” (Matthew 26:6-13). All this raises questions as to priorities in giving. We give so that the gospel can go forth, we give to feed the poor. We give to teach a man to fish, and we give to allow children in developing countries to go to school! Jesus is our example he taught the people, fed the poor, healed the sick and preached the gospel!

Father, thank You, You are pleased when we are successful, and that You are concerned for our welfare. Help us to get our attitudes right. The prayer comes to mind “Give me neither poverty nor riches ... lest I be full and deny You ... or lest I be poor and steal” (Proverbs 30:8, 9). We will not find what You require of us by principles alone, but by principles and the leading of Your Spirit. It is the love of money , not money itself , that is the root of all evil. Help us to keep our eyes on You as our highest priority, and we will give You the praise in Jesus Name Amen

The time is fulfilled ...

... the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Suddenly after four hundred years of silence John the Baptist had burst on the scene to prepare the way for Jesus (verses 1-4). After being baptized, and John put in prison, Jesus announces His ministry with this morning's quote. “The time is fulfilled,” He says God had sent forth His Son “born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4,5). John was not the only one who had been preparing the way. The Father had spent several centuries preparing a people, teaching them His ways, giving the Law, emphasizing His holiness and His requirements, but also showing steadfast love and Mercy to those who love Him and obey Him (Exodus 20:1-6).

And it was to this prepared people that He sent His Son. So when Jesus speaks of the Kingdom (the rule) of God, His hearers would know exactly what He was speaking about. We cannot begin to understand the good news (the gospel), if we do not first understand the bad. God is holy and just, and there is coming a day of judgement, and all of us have “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Justice is about getting what we deserve. This is the bad news! Mercy (spoken of above), is about not getting what we deserve. Centuries before, the Lord spoke in the prophetic past saying “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). The good news then is that the Kingdom is at hand, about to break into the there and now, and we are to repent and believe it. The Greek lexicon says that to repent is “to change one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence, one’s past sins.” It's about turning from our sins, and bearing fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). Scripture knows nothing of a salvation that leaves us unchanged. In fact change is evidence of faith (James 2:18).

The phrase translated “is at hand,” is interesting. The sense, is that it is near, it is already here, but at the same time not yet in it's fullness. Jesus commands us to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and then to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers and raise the dead (Matthew 10:7, 8; 28:20). What is on my heart this morning, is a prophetic word from Bob Jones. He was an amazingly accurate prophet. He prophesied in 1982, for example, that there would be people in Asia with unplugged TVs in their hand, listing to the international House of prayer in Kansas city. He did not have the language for cell phones, but it is happening. At the same time He prophesied that the great end time revival would come after the Kansas city Chief's won the Superbowl. They won it last month, and it was fifty years since they even appeared there. What I am saying is that it looks very much like the “time is fulfilled” for the end time harves, and it's time for the church to step up to the plate.

Father, we are excited, but woefully unprepared for the coming end time revival. Help us to make sure our lamps are full of oil. Show us what You need us to do. Our eyes are on You Lord, even so come Lord Jesus, in Your precious Name Amen

The LORD is near to the broken hearted

The second half of this Psalm we were looking at yesterday (34), starts by teaching us the fear of the Lord (verse 11ff). It is summed up perhaps in the phrase “Seek peace and pursue it” (verse 14b). Peace (shalom) with God includes righteousness, doing good and keeping our tongue from evil (verses 13. 14a). But seeking peace and righteousness does not promise us a trouble free life. Quite the opposite for “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (verse 19a).  However,  when “the righteous cry out, the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (verse 17). He repeats it, to be doubly sure we got it “The Lord delivers him out of them all” (the afflictions verse 19b). But it might just take some time, and total deliverance might not even come in the here and now (c.f. Revelation 6:10)!

Jesus tells us “In this world you will have trouble,” and “I have told you these things that you might have peace,” and “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I sometimes think that one of the best forms of witness we can give in a world that shouts us down, is the way we handle trouble. If it is to be a positive witness, then we must allow the Lord to draw us close when the troubles of the world break our hearts. Sometimes that trouble comes from Christians. In fact I have been more hurt by Christians than others. And part of that,  is that I expected better. I am not saying that I am, or was, without fault, but then neither were they! But the second half of the title verse tells me that He “saves such as have a contrite spirit.” An we need to deal with things in humility!

So putting this together, the witness He wants from us is for us to be in process of learning to fear the Lord, to seek righteousness and peace and to trust that He will in His time deliver us from all our troubles. And we need  to go to Him when the troubles have broken our hearts. And as I said above we may need to wait for this. But so often it is in the waiting,  as we choose to trust,  that we enter the process of being transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Father, nobody said this Christian life was going to be easy, and it's just as well because it it not. We need Your help Lord to be “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Thank You Lord that You are close to the broken hearted. Thank You for Your comfort and Grace,  and we give you praise and glory again this morning Jesus Name Amen

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good

It is likely no coincidence that this verse from Psalm 34:8a stood out to me,  from this morning's readings. We were recently discussing the difficulty of the fourth step of twelve-step programs “made a fearless moral inventory.”   This is notoriously difficult, and where, because of the  difficulties,  many drop out. Or they may need to revisit the previous steps. The process is broken down into steps for a reason.  After we come out of the denial that we have a problem (step 1),  we come to believe that God can deliver us from the insanity of our lives (step 2).  We then make  a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God (step 3).   After the fall, the Lord tweaked reality so that   our poor choices would have consequences.  This is designed to show us our need of Him (the ground is cursed for your sake Genesis 3:17 NKJV).  In order to live with ourselves when we make  poor choices, we suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). And part of this,  is that we suppress the knowledge of God. We need to come back to believing that He is, that He is good, and that He can deliver us.  In other words the first three steps describe the process of coming out of darkness into His glorious light (1 Peter 2:9). And it is a process!

One of the advantages of twelve-step programs, as opposed to one on one counselling, is that we come together with those who are in various stages of coming out of darkness into His light.  Hearing the testimony of those who have found freedom by going  through the fourth step,  can encourage us to press on, even thought is it difficult.  This morning's Psalm is such a testimony.  As with all testimonies it comes with the invitation to “taste and see the Lord is good.”  David tells us that he sought the Lord and He heard him, and delivered him from all his fears (verse 4).  The fears in the “fearless moral inventory” likely includes the fear of judgement and condemnation.  But the Lord is good, and His mercies endure for ever. And when we confess our sins to Him He forgives us,  and starts the process of cleaning us up from the mess we got ourselves onto. And we are then free from condemnation  (Psalm 100:5; 1 John1:9; Romans 8:1).

This freedom is no small thing.  David describes the process as looking to Lord, and the effect is that “their face were radiant” (verse 5) i.e. peace and joy.  The type of fear  from which David was delivered in verse 4,  has to do with dread and terror. On the other hand when he tells us to  “ fear the LORD, you His saints” in verse 9, this fear has more to do with awe,  reverence and honour. He goes on to tell us that with this type of fear there is no want.   And in verse 10 he tells that “those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.”  So we are to seek, fear and taste!

Father it is good and right and proper that we should have this second kind of fear, because it puts us in right relationship with You.  We need to taste and see Lord, to experience Your goodness. When we do this, we will have courage  to ask You to search our hearts and show us what we need to see in our fearless moral inventory. In Jesus Name Amen

The skin of Moses’ face shone

Moses had had intense encounters of the third kind with God on the mountain, and it had caused his countenance (the expression of his face) to shine. What is interesting to me, is that I have seen over and over a substantial change in the countenance of those who also have had an encounter with God today. I have seen it when demons have been cast out, and to me it is evidence of their delivery. I have seen it in those who are being delivered from drugs. And sadly, I have seen it change back when they have fallen off the wagon! It is hard to explain what you see, but it is very real.

Obviously present day “shining” it is not as startling as it was with Moses. I mean the glory of it on Moses' face was so intense, that the children of Israel could not look steadily on his it (2 Corinthians 3:13). And of course none of those I am talking about spent forty days and forty nights alone with God on the mountain as Moses did (Exodus 34:28). In speaking about this Paul talks about a veil that prevents unbelievers seeing the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ. “Nevertheless,” he says, “when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” ( 2 Corinthians 3:16). And “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory which comes from the Lord who is Spirit” (verse 18).

As Jesus told us, while we cannot see the Spirit, for those who have eyes to see, the evidence is plain to see. Note that the phrase “are being transformed” is in the ongoing continuous tense, and it happens in the ongoing “beholding the glory of the Lord!” Moses' face shone because he had spent extended time one on one with the Lord, and it happens to us as we too spent time on on one with the Lord beholding His face in the beauty of holiness. It has taken a long time for me, in my mind's eye, to look Jesus in the eye. I was too covered in shame. But as I continued to try He took away not only my guilt, but also my shame (Isaiah 54:4).

Father, it is so easy to get distracted or to fill our lives with things that do not satisfy. Forgive us Lord, forgive me. Help us Lord to redeem the time, for the days are evil. Please fascinate us with Yourself, and give us hearts to respond. Help us to do our part in beholding Your face in the secret place, in Jesus Name Amen

If I have found grace in Your sight, show me Your way

I ask the Lord day by day to give me something for myself and my blog, often from the daily readings to read through the Bible. The verses that stood out to me this morning are Exodus 33:13 (the title verse) and verse 16. It was only afterwards that I realized how relevant they are to my life as I am seeking His guidance on a certain matter that I have found somewhat confusing. I don't know if you ever wonder if you hear from God, but He knows how to make things clear, and He showed me this morning on a completely different matter, that I had heard His promptings very clearly. And the confirmation of this unrelated matter brought tears to my eyes, as I wait for Him to show me His way in the other matter. It is not clear to me from the readings if Moses knew whether he had found grace in the Lord's eyes or not. But I am not in doubt this morning that I have grace in His eyes, for I am a child of God, and grace is my inheritance (James 4:6)!

With respect to guidance, to being shown His way, a combined translation of Proverbs 3:5,6 comes to mind. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths and make them straight.” When the situation is confusing, I don't need to try and figure it out on my own, in my own understanding, and for that I am grateful. For me part of acknowledging Him in all my ways, is putting my will in neutral, choosing in advance to follow which ever way He leads. Directing my paths is about hearing from Him, being shown His way. Since his sheep know His voice (John 10:4), I can trust that when I commit to following Him I will be shown His way, and that He will clear away all obstacles from the path (make them straight).

Verse 15 and 16 (of Exodus 33) talks about His presence going with us, and that this fact  will be known. God's manifest presence is a tangible thing, and for the child of God it is guaranteed. Indeed “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And it manifests not only to His people, but also to others as we commit to walk in His paths and learn His ways. When we enter a room, His presence enters with us, for we are the temple of Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)!

Father I want to thank You this morning for the encouragement You gave me this morning. You have promised to supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory and You are faithful. I pray this morning Lord for all those needing Your guidance (including me) that You will give us grace to believe and to trust that You will indeed show us Your way, in Jesus Name Amen

The enlightenment of utter failure can set us free

Part of me never ceases to be amazed at how little people know themselves,  including Christians.  But another part understands it well, because there was a time that I was blind to my fallen human nature.  We know there are evil people in the World, the Nazi prison guards, those in the other political party.  Part of our blindness, is that while it is easy to see evil in others, it's not so easy to see it in ourselves.   We have this tendency to divide the world into two,  those who are evil, and those who are on our side. And even some of them! It can be a rude awakening to realize just what each and every one of us is capable of.  I read that some forms of PTSD in war vets are triggered by the realization of the rabid beast they became in the midst of the horrors of war.  Trying to put this together with their own self image of someone who is good, or at the very least someone who is normal, is a great disconnect.

The famous Soviet author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who endured unbelievable brutality in the Soviet prisons during Stalin's reign of power (a minimum of 2.7 million dies), would ruminate on what took place under him as an officer in World War II during the Prussian campaign. After such ruminations,  he would ask himself “Were we any better?”  He writes that there is nothing that so assists the awakening of self knowledge within us as insistent thoughts about one's own transgressions, errors and mistakes.  His own conclusion is that the line that divides good and evil is not between political parties, races, cultures or people groups,  rather “the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”

My own encounter with my heart in this regard,  came after the breakup of my first marriage where I was so convinced  she was evil,  and I had murder in my heart.  To this day am not at all sure I would not have carried it out,  if I thought I could have gotten away with it.  But the Bible know all  this very well. “The heart is deceitful above all and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). The Bible knows what is in our hearts (see also Matthew 15:9).  Even starting to come to terms with it all is difficult and painful,  and it will not likely happen until we have failed.  And when we have utterly failed and stopped laying the blame on others, and have started to become aware of our personal  potential for both good and evil in our hearts, then we start to truly see our need of Jesus.  And this truth will sets us free if we flee to Jesus for refuge from ourselves  (Hebrews 6:18), and receive His Mercy and allow Him to give us a new heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

Father, without this self knowledge we tend to compare ourselves with others  and this is not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12). Jesus is the standard,  and with respect to the rest of us,  we all have sinned and fallen short of Your glory (Romans 3:23). Thank You Lord for Your  invitation to flee to You. When we do Lord we are blessed because our sins are covered and You  do not impute iniquity to us (Psalm 32:1,2a). We praise and thank You Lord  in Jesus Name Amen

The blessing of having utterly failed

Please do not get me wrong, I am not recommending utter failure, there is danger in having utterly failed. In particular it can lead you to being permanently stuck in despondency and hopelessness, and it can lead to further destruction. But there is danger in never having failed too. In particular it can lead us to being like the brother of the prodigal son in his jealousy, self righteousness and resentment against the Father (Luke 15:25-32). Neither am I discounting the trail of destruction that accompanies failure and the longterm aftereffects on relationships and ours and others lives. But this post was prompted by something a friend told me the other day. What she said was “I have lost too much, and gained too much to go back!” The Law of the Lord is perfect, for in it there is preparation, protection and provision. And there is a godly sorrow that produces repentance and salvation not to be regretted. Such repentance produces a passion and a love, and a zeal for the Lord, that comes out of being forgiven much (2 Corinthians 7:10, 11).

But exactly how do I deal with the regret? I mean when we finally come to the place where we can admit what we have done, and start to see the destruction we left behind, together with the consequences in the now, and the future, then there is this tendency to beat ourselves up! What we need to realize though, is that these are the very things that lead us to godly repentance. And that we are where we are (having lost so much, and having gained so much) not in spite of what we did, but precisely because of what we did. And the Lord allowed what He allowed, so that the school of hard knocks would have its way with us, and we would return to the shepherd and protector of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). The Lord knows us, and that while it is true that “to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47), the converse is also true that to whom much is forgiven the same loves much.

The prodigal son lost his (financial) inheritance, all that the father had was his brothers (Luke 15:31). But what he gained was a relationship with the father that was the envy of his brother. The Lord has promised that He will restore the years the locusts have eaten, and He makes all things beautiful in His time (Joel 2:25; Ecclesiastes 3:11). We just have to trust, and allow Him the time to do this. And we pray for the people we have hurt, and trust that He will use their pain to help them see their need of Him. After all His primary agenda is to unite all things together in Him (Ephesians 1:10), and when we love Him and are called according to His purpose, He works all things together for our good, even the evil we have done.

Father, who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the Your inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy (Micah 7:18). Thank You that You are at work restoring the destructive years the locusts have eaten, and thank You that You brought us back to You our shepherd, and guardian and that You will make all things beautiful in Your time in Jesus Name Amen.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant (Psalm 31:16)

In the midst of his troubles, David is evoking the prayer over himself that God told Moses to pray over the children of Israel. If you don't know how to pray, or even if you do, praying the prayers of the Bible over yourself and others is a good thing. The prayer is known as the Aaronic blessing and is as follows:

The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

David's prayer is not rote repetition of the Aaronic blessing, rather he prays into its meaning. He tells the Lord “I am repulsive to my acquaintances” (verse 11). People are giving him dark looks, and he longs for the smile of favour and approval from his God. He knows that when the Lord “lifts up His countenance upon him,” it will bring him shalom (peace). The dictionary defines countenance and a calm facial expression with composure, approval, favour, encouragement and moral support.

As indicated, the word translated peace is the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom is much more than absence of hostilities, and though it includes that, we can have shalom even in the midst of war. Shalom peace includes the ideas of completeness, safety, soundness, in body, welfare, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquillity and contentment. Paul could say “ I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). The Lord has promised that He will keep us in perfect peace if our minds are fixed steadfastly on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

Father You promised that when we pray the Aaronic blessing over people (including ourselves) You will bless them (us) (Numbers 6:27). You tell us Lord to bless those who curse us and to pray for out enemies. So we pray this prayer, this morning over ourselves and those who trouble us. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour ...

... in which the Son of Man is coming (Matthew 25:13). At the end of last day's post I quoted ““The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8,9). It is easy to grow cold about the soon coming of the King of Kings.  His second advent, and this morning and yesterdays readings  have put this back on the map for me. As an aside we cannot be sure we are taking in the whole council of God (Acts 20:27) if we don't read the whole of the Scriptures, and even then! This morning's quote comes at the end of the parable of the ten virgins (which as another aside the Scripture expects the unmarried to be virgins,  to which we need to recommit (even when, or especially when, we have utterly failed – see 1 John 1:9). Part of what stands out to me in the parable, is that all ten virgins looked alike from the outside. Jesus comment to the Pharisees comes to mind “You clean the outside of the cup ....” (Matthew 23:25). What was missing was the oil for their lamps.

 

The oil of course, speaks of Holy Spirit who, Jesus told us would not come unless He want away. He further told us that this was better for us (John 16:7). Part of this is that the Holy Spirit would dwell inside our lamps. When He comes, we become the temple of Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 16:9), and we cannot be the light of the World without His indwelling presence. It is not about character, or purity or influence or success, be it inside , or outside the church. If we do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is also the Spirit of Jesus, we are none of His (1 John 5:12). And as the parable clearly shows, if we don't have "oil" on that day when He comes for His saints, He will disown us saying I never knew you (verse 12).

 

In the context of the 2 Peter passage, Peter answers  of those who ask “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” He explains that willingly ignorant (verses 4, 5). Both Peter and Jesus reference the flood “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark" (Matthew 24:38). In other words it all seemed so normal and unchangeable.   But as with the parable, there is coming a time when it will be too late (25:10). And the admonition to us, is to watch (verse 13). And Peter asks seeing as how the heavens and the earth will be burnt up with fervent heat, “What manner of what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (3:10, 11).

Lord Jesus, Your admonition to watch, is not to watch passively, but to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation, and to work while it is still day. Indeed the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, and we do not know the hour of Your appearing (Mark 13:33; 14::John 9:4). Since these things are so, help us Lord not to loose our passion and our zeal for You. We ask these things, in Your precious Name Amen

This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place

The disciples had been admiring the beauty of the temple and Jesus had prophesied to them of its destruction (Matthew 24:1, 2). The disciples then asked Him “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming” (verse 3)? This chapter and the next, are often called the “little apocalypse.” Apocalyptic literature is a term referring to the end times, and is featured prominently throughout the Bible. This morning's title verse (34) is ceased upon by unbelievers as one of “many” contradictions of the Bible because clearly the end of the World did not happen in that generation. I have to confess that this puzzled me for may years, and was unhappy with the supposed explanations that were given. But if you start by believing it is a contradiction, you will not look for a solution. In fact, the disciples had asked two questions that more than likely were identified together in their minds. The first question was about the destruction of the temple, the second about the second coming of Christ.

To further confuse the issue, apocalyptic literature throughout the Bible has both a here and now aspect to it, as well as an end times aspect. These two aspects are often telescoped together, and it is only looking back can untangle the separate pieces. It is rather like looking at a mountain range from the distance and seeing two peeks together as a single peek, and only as you get closer are the two seen to be separate. A prime example is Jesus' quoting Isaiah 61:1-2a in Luke 4:18. Jesus stops as a comma in the Isaiah passage! He came, He says, to heal broken hearts etc., and He leaves out “And the day of vengeance of our God” in verse 2b. A similar thing happens with Peter quoting Joel 2:28-31 in Acts 2:17-21. The early disciples were in the last days, and so are we. And our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11). 

Since “on that day” of verse 34 is clearly identified as the second coming in verse 44, you will, if you are looking for a contradiction identify “that day” of verse 36 with the timing of the destruction of the Temple in verse 34. This would indeed be a contradiction, since the second coming did not happen in that generation. Indeed seemingly to confirm the contradiction,  the phrase “that day” also refers over and over to the end of the age, especially in the apocalyptic literature (i.e Ezekiel 38:14; Zechariah 14:4, 20 etc.). However if we understand “But of that day and hour...” of verse 36 to be Jesus now addressing the disciples' second question, rather than the first, then the supposed contradiction simply disappears, and the potential problem is solved by exegesis!

Again the skeptic is likely to ask “How long are you prepared to wait until it becomes obvious that it's not going to happen. It's been two thousand years!” My answer is a long as it takes, after all a day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day (Psalm 90:4). Quoting this Peter tells us “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8,9). Indeed I have loved ones I want to be there on that day! However

Even so come Lord Jesus Amen (Revelation 22:20)

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand

This quote from Exodus 21:24 is part of the legal code that was given to Moses. The legal code forms the basis of much of our justice system in the West. I am not saying our justice systems follow the Biblical codes exactly, but rather it gave a starting point to discuss civil law. Take this morning's verse for example, and it's relationship to the debate over capital punishment, a topic still hotly discussed. Without taking sides, it is noteworthy that within the code is the injunction to distinguish between what we call premeditated murder and manslaughter (21:14). In fact the code as way ahead of its time! Coming to the specifics of the subject at hand, some have called this barbaric. But as with all interpretations of document thousands of years old, we need to understand the context of the times. In particular, what was happening widely at the time (and even today) is escalation. In other words it was two eyes for one eye, and two teeth for one tooth!

I was saying last day, that the children of Israel had chosen rules over relationship, and if you are going to go with rules what is needed,  is justice. We may not like it, but eye for an eye is just. There are many things in the Old Testament that I do not like, neither do I understand. But I understand this, that God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18c), and I am not likely to fully understand until I see Him face to face. The children of Israel choose rules, but the Old Testament is full of invitations to come our of Law into relationship. The full text of the Isaiah reference reads “Yet the LORD longingly waits to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Among other things, the cross shows two things, firstly that God is indeed a God of justice. Justice decrees that wrong doing and sin must be punished. The second thing  is that the cross show is mercy, for “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6c). The Lord knew that there was little point in telling feuding cultures to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). He had to tell us first that vengeance belongs to Him (Psalm 94:1), in order to get us to disengage. It was only after He had established the principle of Justice, and we had at some level grown up (see Galatians 3:23, 24), that He could reveal the above higher law to those to whom He is showing  mercy. He needed to wait so He could be gracious to us. He also waits today to be gracious. And we get to choose mercy or justice, rules or relationship. What have you, what will you, choose? 

Father justice is getting what we deserve, mercy is not getting what I deserve, and I choose mercy again this morning. Thank You Lord that You waited to be gracious to me.  Thank You that while I was still a sinner Christ died for me, the just for the unjust that I might be brought to God (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). Thank You Lord that You are both just and merciful. I love You Lord in Jesus Name Amen

Let not God speak with us, lest we die

Moses had gone up the mountain, where the Lord had given the ten commandments among thunderings, lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When they saw it, the people trembled. And they told Moses “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:1-19). Moses had brought the people out to meet with God, and the sound of the trumpet had been very loud, the smoke had gone up like a furnace, and the mountain itself had trembled (19:16-18). All this had, to coin a phrase, put the fear of God into the people, and in a sense who could blame them. But in fact what they were doing was choosing rules over relationship. And the problem, if we do that, is that it is His rules, not ours. And the people were saying not only will we listen, but we will obey, for this is the force of the Hebrew word listen.

We can still choose rules over relationship, but we need to realize it is His rules, and that there needs to be perfect obedience. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend on one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Good luck with that! There is none of this “He will balance my good works with my bad,” or “I'm a good person.” For “there is none good but God,” and “we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Matthew 19:17; Romans 3:23). God does not want to improve us, He wants to kill us “for he who has died to sin, is alive to God” (Romans 6:11, 13). In fact Christ “died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

But was it really necessary to scare the living daylights out of the people? Well, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). And since our propensity is to go astray (Isaiah 63:6), the Lord in His wisdom uses both the carrot and the stick to wake us up and bring us to our senses. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), and I for one want to be clothed in His righteousness on that day (Isaiah 61:10; Philippians 3:9). But in any case, I will choose relationship over rules I cannot possibly obey any day. I need to fear, but I need to let His perfect love case it out (1 John 4:18).

Father, thank You that You cursed the earth for my sake (Genesis 3:17 NKJV). You twerked reality so that poor choices produce bad consequences (Galatians 6:7). And it was the consequences of my poor choices, and my inability to keep the law that showed me my need of You. Thank You Lord. Thank You that You are no celestial Scrooge, but that at Your right hand are pleasures for ever more. I know Lord that in this world I will have trouble, but I thank You too, that You have overcome the world in Jesus Name Amen

When my father and my mother forsake me ...

... Then the LORD will take care of me. We are continuing this morning with gleanings from Psalm 27. David has just reminded the Lord that he (David) always responds positively to God's invitation to seek His face. Nevertheless David still implores God to not leave him nor forsake him (verses 8,9). But then clearly receiving assurance that He will not, David can declare with this morning verse (10), that even in the midst of what is perhaps the most devastating or rejections (mother and father), there is one who loves him and will take care of him. Probably there is no one reading this blog who has not suffered some level of rejection, and once again the Scriptures point us to the God who is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3), as the one who will help us to deal with our pain.

There is no indication in Scripture that David's mother and father forsook him, but he certainly received his share of rejection through Saul, for example, or from his son Absalom, who raised an army to overthrow David's throne. But there is one Jesus, whose mother and brothers turned against Him, thinking He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21). The Scripture tell that “We do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmity, but was at all points tested as we are, but without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). In particular, He knows what you are going through this morning and he understands, He really does, and He is able to comfort and strengthen you.

But getting back to David, after choosing to trust God in the midst of his pain he ask the Lord to “Teach me Your way, and lead me in a smooth path” (verse 11). He is asking God to lead him, to show him how to navigate through his trials, and he knows this is often about waiting on God. His hope however is in God “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (verse 13). He then instructs us to wait on the Lord in our trials, knowing that through them He will strengthen our hearts (verse 14).

Father, I want to thank You this morning that it is true that when I was forsaken, You took care of me, and You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). I have to confess Lord, that waiting is hard. But every time I have wanted to give up, You have done something to keep me trusting that I will indeed see Your goodness in the here and now. And I thank You in advance Father for the fulfillment of Your promises in Jesus Name Amen

One thing I have desired ... That will I seek - That I may dwell ...

This morning's quote from Psalm 27:4 reveals King David's stance as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). He desires one thing above all else to be a seeker after God and to dwell in His presence. David did not get there through smooth sailing, but rather by putting his trust in God at all times he experienced God's faithfulness, provision and protection. The Lord, David tells us,  is his light and his deliverer. The Hebrew word translated deliver has the sense of being saved in battle, being victorious.  Indeed David tells us that when his enemies came up against him they stumbled and fell (verse 2). Through this he learned not to not let his heart fear “even though and army encamp against him" (verse 3). It is this experience that leads him to declare that the one thing he desires is to seek and to dwell in His presence.

But what does it mean that seeking and dwelling is the one thing David seeks, and how did he learn not to let his heart fear? The first commandment come to mind to love God with all of our heart soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). In other words it is all about a passionate relationship with God  that holds no bars, no barrier. When David fails, as we all do, he cries out to God to teach him truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6), and the Word is his meditation day and night (Psalm 1:2). This is surely what he means when he says the Lord is his light (verse 1). Further more David does not display what today is called the rugged North American individualism. He does not do things in his own strength, for the Lord is not only David's light, He is the strength of his life (verse 1 again). Like a little child, David is totally dependent on God!

But how does he teach his heart not to fear? It is about both trust and experience. In particular David learnt to keep his heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). It starts with looking back on previous deliverance “when the wicked came to “eat his flesh they stumbled and fell" (verse 2). So David refused to allow the negative thought and emotions that dwelling on fear brings. But he also knows that it is not just about stopping those thoughts, but rather replacing them by pressing into God by seeking Him single-mindedly. This is the one thing he desires.

Father, thank You for the example, and challenge of David's life. David tells us he desired to seek and dwell, indicating that he did not always do it. He needed Your help, and so do we Lord. So we come to You again this morning asking You to help us do our part in making You our refuge and our strength, and for You to be the first thing we turn to in difficulties and temptations. And we  will  give You the honour and glory in Jesus Name Amen

Lift up your rod..... over the sea and divide it

The Egyptian army was pursuing the children of Israel and with the Red sea before them and mountains on either side they were trapped. So Moses does as God commands, the sea is divided,  and the children of Israel cross on try land. The Egyptians pursue and are drown as God closed the sea over them (Exodus 13, 14). Secular Biblical scholars, along many others, tend to dispute anything in the Bible that is miraculous, seeking to explain it all away. The Red sea, for example, is said to be the reed sea, a body of water just a few inches deep. Though how the whole of the Egyptian army drown in just a few inches of water,  is not explained. Mount Sinai,  one stop on the journey wilderness wandering,  the place where the ten commandments would later be given (Exodus 19, 20), is said to be in Egypt (and is in fact designates as a tourist attraction). If true this would mean they did not need to cross the Red sea at all. But the Bible tells us that Mount Sinai is in Arabia (Galatians 4:25). Well, you get the point.

The controversial figure Ron Wyatt spent 22 years of his life looking for sites described in the Bible. One of the more convincing ones, is his location of the Red sea crossing. Wyatt found a very large beach (five miles long) at Nuweiba. And it certainly fits the bill as the place where Moses lifted His rod, it being hemmed in by Mountains with a single rout to the beach. There are matching granite columns “of Solomon” on either side of the Red sea at this point. Inscribed on these columns are the words “Mizram (Egypt), death, water, pharaoh, Edom, Yahweh, and Solomon.   Solomon's sea port was at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba at Eilat (I Kings 9:26) and it is no stretch to believe that he was “very familiar with the Red Sea crossing site, as it was in his neighbourhood” (quote from Wyatt). Wyatt locates the name “Nuwayba' al Muzayyinah” at this exact spot,  on an Arabic map, and tells that it means “Waters of Moses Opening." So at the very least, the ancients believed this was the place. But Wyatt has more.

In particular, and I quote ”The crossing path is about a quarter to a half mile wide and is on a gradual slope down to the bottom of the Red Sea,  and then up to the Saudi beach.  On either side of this path are the depths of the Red Sea, the Eilat Deep and the Aragonese Deep, each 3000 and 5000 feet deep respectively.” But most convincing of all are the pictures taken of “coral shaped chariot wheels fixed to axels standing at attention on the seabed.” These were found on both sides of the alleged crossing. He adds  “There are numerous chariot wheels, plus human and horse bones at the crossing site. Crossing” (see https://bible7evidence.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-red-sea-crossing-ron-wyatt.html).

Father, one of the advantages of being old,  is that you get to see multiple supposed explanations of disbelieved Biblical events and sites, being overturned,  and the Bible account verified. But Father if the Jesus rose from the dead,  then as Your Word says “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Thank You Lord that I don't need to throw away my mind in order to believe. Thank You Lord for the evidence of faith (Hebrews 11:1). We believe help our unbelief in Jesus Name Amen