Arise, shine; For your light has come!

.... And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. Darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Peoples  will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:1-3). These verses are ostensibly spoken to Jerusalem (Zion verse 14).  The New Jerusalem however, is a picture of the bride of Christ, the Church  (Revelation 21:2), and so they apply to the Christians corporately and individually.  Light and darkness speak respectively about good and evil (5:20).  And because of this, these morning  verses speak like todays newspaper whose editors are actually interested in truth. Thick darkness does indeed cover the people, and the church is called to be a light into it.  It is already here,  Jesus, the light of the World,  has already come (John 8:12)! And He  shines His light on us, making us the light of the World too (Matthew 5:14).

So the Lord is speaking to us in these verses this morning,  telling us to arise.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden, and you don't put a lamp under a basket (Matthew 5:14, 15). But what does it mean for us to arise and shine? Well several things.  There are many things that dim the light and the glory in us. Jesus said if “the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:23). It's about sin. The light in us is dimmed if we do not walk in the light as He is in the light. On the other hand,  if we do walk in the light we have true fellowship with each other and with the Father (1 John 1:7). And this fellowship is,  in and of itself,  light to the World.  And indeed people will come to such light!

Walking in the light is not just about getting rid of the sin in our lives. It is about radical living for Him, presenting our bodies as living sacrifices.  It is about obedience, continuing in His Word. It is worshipping in Spirit and in truth,   about passionate worship of the One who loved us,  and gave Himself for us. It is about humbling ourself, praying, seeking His face, turning from our wicked ways and in this way being able to claim His promises. In particular is about fulfilling our part in His promise to heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  It is about letting the light shine though the good works He calls us to,  so that the World will  glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Father, I sense through this morning's verses,  that You are calling  the church as a whole,  and each one of us individually,  to wake up, to rise and to let our light shine. Quicken us this morning Lord by Your Holy Spirit to do this. We cannot do it without You. Help us Lord not to be intimidated by the darkness, but to realize that You have already won the victory,  and all we need to do is to live for You and to wait for it. Even so come Lord Jesus,  in Your precious Name Amen
 

For to me, to live is Christ,

.... and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Paul had just expressed his earnest expectation and hope that in nothing “I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (verse 20). His expectation and hope were based on the prayers of the Philippians and “the supply of the Spirit” (verse 19). He was in jail for his faith and,  by these words,  not at all sure it would not lead to  martyrdom. So he was wanting and needing to be bold,  so that the whatever happened it would reflect well on his Lord (magnifying Christ in his body), and so in no way he would not be ashamed! If he were to live,  his life would be all about Christ. And if he were to die, that would be gain, even better. For Paul,  death is a new and better stage in his relationship with Christ.  Nevertheless ....

Holding that thought for a moment, you can have a healthy death wish, as here with Paul, or you can have an unhealthy death wish. Let's be very clear Paul is not suicidal.  And let's say up front, that the Christian has no need to fear death, for we have been released from it (Hebrews 2:15).  Paul could say that he would be well pleased to be absent from the body,  because it meant being present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul had had a vision of heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2). And with the stories we hear from those who have died and gone to heaven, he was homesick  (Google 'Ian McCormack box jellyfish'). We may not have had these experiences, but we can trust and believe and tap into what this cloud of witness is telling us (Hebrews 12:1).

Coming back to my “nevertheless,” nevertheless for Paul to live is Christ.  We don't all have to be apostles, we don't all have to be pastors, but we are all intended to be servants, living for Christ. And when we are living for Christ, what it means is fruit for the Kingdom (verse 22).  If you think about it, if our place in heaven is sure, why would He not simply take us home when we got saved? I am convinced that He intends that our lives be witnesses to His Glory, in all the various ways that witness is possible.  Sometimes this will be with words, and sometimes without words “that they may see your good works and glorify God” (Matthew 5:16). Sometimes it is simply the way we deal with our suffering. In any case,  we need to live lives so that  “whether by life or by death, Christ will be magnified in our bodies.”

Father, we need Your help, Your grace to live in a way that glorifies You, and we need help to die in a way that glorifies you.  I have heard it said that the last task is to grow old gracefully. In all these things  we need You help Holy Spirit, and with Paul, we need the prayers and help of the community (verse 19). With You Lord all things are possible, and since we are speaking of death, help us Lord by Your Spirit,  to put to death those things in us that hinder our being able to tap into Your help.  And we will give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name Amen  

'No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

.... and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD (Isaiah 54:17). The concept of God's provision and protection has come up several times over the past few days, and this morning's verse is just one more example of the same. The benefits in this morning's verse are the heritage, the birthright if you like, of the the Lord's servant. A servant of the Lord is one who does everything in thought, word and deed for his master. In another part of this morning's daily readings, Paul talks about servants and how they should serve “not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6). In other words a servant of the Lord is not about the outward appearance, wearing masks to look good. This is what the Pharisees did, and they had their reward (the praise of men) (Matthew 23:5).

What I am saying here, is that I cannot live for myself and expect to be able to claim the benefits these verses speak of as mine. It's not that we earn His provision and protection, and it's not about being saved. In particular “their righteousness is from Me!” No, rather He is describing the nature of reality He created, and the principles that govern it. The Kingdom is here but not yet fully, and we are to contend in the here and now for things that find their completion only in eternity. Nevertheless, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). This verse is followed by the instruction to wait on Him and be of good courage. The Amplified Bible translates this first part as “Wait and hope for and expect” (verse 14).

We need to know that the Lord is in control, for He created the one who create the weapons (verse 16). In particular in the end they will not be successful. Part of what we are being told here, is that we are not striving for victory we operate from victory already accomplished! The language is the language of the law courts. Accordingly other translations have “you will refute every tongue that accuses you” (NIV). King David puts it this way “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:6). In other words our vindication will be seen by all.

In this same psalm we are instructed in how we are to conduct ourselves in order to bring this about. Three times we are told not to fret (verses 1, 7, 8); we are to delight ourselves in the Lord; we are to commit our way to Him; we are to Trust in the LORD, and do good; we are to dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness; we are to cease from anger and forsake wrath; we are to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. He then promises that He will accomplish it all for us (verses 1-8).

Father, thank You for Your careful care, provision and protection. Help us to trust and serve you. Let our hope and confidence be in You, as we wait in hope for the fulfillment of Your promises and purposes. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

But he was pierced for our transgressions

.... he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his strips we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). This chapter of Isaiah, and part of the previous one, is not only perhaps the clearest presentation of the gospel under the Old Covenant, it is one that outlines some of the many benefits of His passion. The phrases “for us,” “brought us” and “by His” of this verse,  all indicate that the suffering was what theologians call vicarious. It means suffered by one person as a substitute for another to their benefit. In other words the suffering servant of this passage, who Luke identifies as Jesus (Acts 8:35), suffered as a substitute for our needing to suffer for the things indicated.

Concerning His hands and feet being pierced, it was prophesied in Psalm 22:16, and performed at His crucifixion (Luke 24:40). This piercing was for our  transgressions, for our breaches of the Law.  His being crushed was for our iniquities,  our offence against God's Holiness. The individual is warned that the Lord punishes man’s transgression, but that  “every one shall die for his own iniquity” (Jeremiah 31:30). It was because He was punished for our sins that Paul could say that Jesus is our peace, and that being justified by faith we have peace with God (Ephesians 2:14; Romans 5:1).  The word translated strips means welts, marks or the prints of blows on the skin. Jesus was cruelly lashed with stripes (Matthew 27:26). Though physical healing is part of the many benefits of His passion, the primary interpretation here is that “we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).  The healing then is primarily spiritual, and our living for righteousness is part of what brings us into fullness of life (John 10:10b).

Part of the benefit of His passion then,  is that He came to heal the broken hearted and to set the prisoners free (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1). Another part, when we live for His Kingdom and His righteousness, is that He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). The healing them includes relationship healings.  Another part is that He bears our grief, and carries our sorrows (verse 4). He is the God of all comfort and bears our burdens (2 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 6 ). In other words not only did He suffer for us, but He comes along side of us and suffers with us. There is intense fellowship in this (Philippians 3:10).  He did it first then asks us to do the same. This is the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Lord Jesus You are are beloved High priest, and because of all that You went through for us You are not a high priest that cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. But You were in all points tested and tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). In particular, You were a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, You were rejected and falsely accused. Thank You Lord for all the benefits of Your passion. Give us the grace we need to live for You Lord, and we will give You the glory in You precious and lovely Name Amen

I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit

.... who leads you by the way you should go (Isaiah 48:17). The world, and even some Christians,  seem to believe that Father God is out to get us. Some of this is because, to put it mildly at times, earthly fathers are less than perfect. And of course, we tend to confuse God with our dads!  And then there is this feeling that He is  simply waiting for us to mess up,  so that He can condemn us. Nothing could be further from the truth. Actually Jesus told us that in character He is exactly like the Father (John 14:9). A true father wants the very best for his son (or daughter), and this is part of what this morning's verse is telling us. He is for us,  not against us. He loves us, after all He is the One who sent His Son to rescue us from ourselves (John 3:16).

he primary thing about being a Christian is being in relationship with Him. Part of this, is that He wants to teach and guide us,  and He wants this not to control us, but for out benefit.  In other words He teaches us and guides us for both our provision and our protection. We reap what we sow both positively and negatively (Galatians 6:7). Bad choices produce bad fruit,  and good choices good fruit. But how are we to know, and how does He guide us? In terms of good and bad, right and wrong, truth and error, the primary way is through His Word, the Bible.  If we are to sit under the umbrella of His protection,  we need to read it,  and obey what we read. His rules and precepts are not arbitrary, and we need to realize that we suppress the truth by disobedience (Romans 1:18), and we exercise and grown in the knowledge of  the truth,  by obedience (Hebrews 5:14).

But how does He guide us? Well in terms of right and wrong first and foremost it's primarily through His Word. But it is much more than this, and again it is about relationship.  Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me ” (John 10:27).  Following of course is about obedience. Proverbs tells us that if we acknowledge Him in all our ways,  He will direct our steps (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV).  Acknowledging Him is about being willing to do,  or not do particular action. The part about “all our ways” tells us it is about wholehearted obedience.  But it is also about faith. James tells us that if we lack wisdom and ask Him for it, it will be given when we ask in faith (James 1:5, 6).  And then when we step out in faith,  in response to hearing His answer, then and often only then,  do we get the confirmation for “When you walk in the way you will hear a voice behind you saying 'this is the way walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).

Father, I want to thank You this morning for Your guidance and for You tender mercies and steadfast love.  Thank You that You are for us not against us.  Indeed “if You be for us who can be against us” (Romans 8:31).  Thank You that You daily load us  with benefits (Psalm 68:19 NKJV). Help us to stay close Lord, give us hearts of obedience, and the grace we need to love You as You so richly deserve in Jesus Name Amen

I urge you to live a life worthy

.... of the calling you have received, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).  The Lord called us before the foundation of the world, saved us,  and has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and to be holy and without blame before Him in love (1:3, 4; 2:8, 9). Paul here calls us to live a life worthy of these and other privileges and benefits of this calling. He enlarges on what this means in the verses that follow.  But first and foremost is the preservation of the unity that was purchased for us at such great expense.  Paul here is urging us to get on board with God's primary purpose that  “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth” (1:9, 10).

Note that we are not called to create unity.  It has already been accomplished  “for He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of hostility” (2:14). This preservation however,  takes humility, gentleness, longsuffering and bearing with one another in love.   Love is primary, and this love of which Paul speaks is the unconditional,  extravagant agape love of God.  Moreover this preservation of  unity is not to be done at the expense of conflict avoidance. Unity is neither uniformity,  nor  conformity. Indeed we are to speak the truth in love. It is only in this way that we can grow up in all things into Him who is the head (4:15).  Having said this, we must also note that the preservation of unity is to be done in the bond of peace (verse 3).

And this again is where humility and gentleness come in. If we are more interested in being right,  than preserving unity and peace,  we are not walking worthy of the call.  A peace-loving spirit will want to place more emphasis on the points  of  agreement,  rather  than on places where we disagree. We are to bear with one another in love in this regard. It is interesting to me that Jesus,  who of course spoke the truth in love,  would hold back for a time, because the disciples were not yet able to bear what He wanted to say to them (John 16:12).  Part of what this is saying to us, is that in preserving peace and unity, there is a timing of our speaking the truth in love.

Father, Your Word tells us that we are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.  Show us Lord what it means in practical terms,  for us to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Thank You Lord that we don't have to create unity, You already did that. And Lord help us to see that the places where we agree are,  many times much more important,  than the places where we disagree. Give us humble and gentle spirits and help us to truly bear with one another in love. And we will give Your the glory in Jesus Name Amen

to know the love of Christ

.... which surpasses knowledge; in order that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).  The list of things Paul prays for the Ephesians starts with asking that they strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (verse 16). Within the Christian community we likely know of individuals whose body is in trouble, but whose spirit shines with the inner light of Christ. This is what Paul is praying for,  that this inner man be strong,  independent of what is happening on the outside. This kind of strength is related to the next request that Christ dwell in our hearts by faith (verse 17a). We often pray for revival, for a visitation of the Spirit of God. Paul is not praying for a visitation, he is praying for a habitation, a  permanent residence of Christ in our hearts.  This can only happen as we respond in faith to the external, often difficult circumstances of life.

And this happens as we are rooted, grounded and established in agape love  (verse 17b).  Agape is the Greek word for God's extravagant healing love. It is this love with which the Lord so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son so that those who believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). It is the love with which He loved us that while we were yet sinners, and His enemies,  He died for us (Romans 5:8, 10). Paul goes on in his prayer praying for,  while essentially describing this love which establishes us.  It is multidimensional, and it surpasses understanding.  Yet this love that is incomprehensible is nevertheless something that is within our grasp to know. We are not talking here about mere intellectual knowledge, though that is a component of it. It is something that we are intended to experience, and something I, for one, want more of.

You probably know of, or have heard of  those who burst into tears when being told that God loves them.  What is happening in such cases,  is that the words come with what we call unction. They come with a power for the person to believe, and with the feeling of being truly loved. Another way to say this is they are getting a revelation of His love, revelation that touches the heart and the spirit,  and allows us to know in our innermost being (the inner man) that we are truly loved.  Such love is an establishing love, it brings with it a sense of security and enables us to face anything. It also facilitates our becoming overcomers.  It is this love that made Paul willing to forsake everything he previously valued,  in order to gain it and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:7, 10).

Lord Jesus,  I pray for myself and all those reading this blog that we may be rooted and grounded in love, that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height of Your Love,  and that more and more we may know this very love which passes knowledge and that  we be filled with all the fullness of God (verses 17-19). Give us the grace to let go of anything and everything that might hinder our receiving this love,  and we will give You the praise and Glory in Your precious and Holy Name Amen

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

.... I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you (Isaiah 43:1, 2). Over and over the Scripture admonishes us not to fear. This morning's Scripture gives us several reasons (the force of “for” in the passage.) The first reason is that He has redeemed us.  The word is first used Genesis 48:16 by Jacob in when He says “The angel which redeemed me from all evil …” (KJV). The NIV brings out the meaning by translating it “delivered me from all harm.”   Thus we do not need to fear, for our redeemer is the one who delivers us from all harm.  

The second reason not to fear,  is that He has called each one of us by name.  The essence of faith is intensely personal. Yes Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, but “the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me” (personally Galatians 2:20).  Little old me is known and loved by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Even the hairs of my head are numbered (Luke 12:7). The meaning of Galatians reference also brings out another aspect of redemption, for it also means “to buy out,” especially of purchasing the freedom of a slave. And we were bought out purchased from the slave market of sin (John 8:34).  This also relates to the next reason not to fear, for “You are Mine,”  we are not our own, we are bought with a price the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). The fact that  He has paid such an incredible price for us, means that we are of infinite value to Him, and He will want to protect His investment.

Finally we should not fear, for when we pass thought the waters or the fire He will be with us.  He was with Israel when the passed through the waters of the Red sea.  And they did not overwhelm them, though they did overwhelm the pursuing Egyptian army (Isaiah 51:10). When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace,  “the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them” (Daniel 3:27). What a mighty God we serve! There is no need to fear, for He is ready willing and able to do  all the above and more! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Father, forgives us for those times that we have given in to fear. Next time we are tempted to fear remind us Lord, that You  have called us byYour name (Christian, little Christ); that we are Yours; and that when we pass though troubled waters or fiery trials,  You are with us. Thank You that You have promised that will never leave us nor forsake us.  Thank You Lord that You, the One who is with us, has overcome the world (John 16:33).  Thank You Lord Jesus, that You not only suffered for us, You also suffer with us, giving us the assurance it will be alright. For these and many other benefits of Your passion we give You praise and glory again this morning Lord in Your precious Name Amen

But those who wait on the LORD

....    Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). The “but” of this verse contrasts the strength of youths with the strength the Lord gives. For even youths grow tired and weary (verse 30).  The enduring strength the Lord gives, however is akin to the enduring strength of the eagle who can soar effortlessly for hour after hour, riding high above the storm. Learning to wait on the Lord however, is not easy. How many of us have said the equivalent of “my way is hidden from the Lord” (verse 27)? After I had been waiting several years for a promise from the Lord I was complaining about how long it was taking to a little old lady friend of mine. She told me “the trouble with God, is He has no sense of time!”

But the Lord is not slack concerning His promises, He is just not in a hurry. To Him a day is as a thousand years,  and a thousand years as a day (2 Peter 3:9).  His timing is perfect, and He has purpose in the delay. Part of this (but only part) is that He is teaching us patience and perseverance. He is also building character and making us fruitful  (Romans 8:29). We can fight Him, or we can cooperate with Him, letting  perseverance work its perfect work in us (James 1:4). One of the things we need to learn, is to stop fighting the people and circumstances He allows in our lives.

In a  further part of the context here the Lord reminds us of the character of the One own whom we wait, His power, His compassion and His faithfulness.  When He comes He brings His reward with Him and He carries us in His bosom (10. 11). Moreover He is the one who flung billions and billions of stars into space and call each one of them by name (26). He is the incomparable God (25).  But what does it mean to wait on Him?  We are to cease from fretting (Psalm 37:1, 7, 8) and trust Him. To not go ahead of Him ant take things into our own hands, we are to listen for His voice and guidance, and to never, never never give up on His promises. I am reminded of something Patricia King said about this. She said she would rather get to heaven and ask Him why He did not come through, than to get to heaven and He ask us “Why did you give up?”

Father, thank You for reminding me of these things this morning.   I chose not to give up on what You have told me. You are not a man that You should lie! I receive Your encouragement this to continue to trust and believe and I receive Your grace to do this with joy and anticipation for You to come through for me and to lift me on eagle's wings in Jesus Name Amen

By fearful and glorious things that terrify the wicked

.... but make the godly sing praises,  do You answer us in righteousness and justice, O God of our salvation, You Who are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off on the seas (Psalm 65:5 Amp). Though David (who wrote this Psalm) was King, still Israel was a theocracy, that is God was King over David. And under that theocracy,  God regularly intervened on Israel's behalf with blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 11:26-28). Indeed that is righteousness and justice!  And God is still a God of righteousness and justice, though rewards and punishments in the age of grace is ultimately reserved for the day of judgement (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Not withstanding, the Lord is ready willing and able to do fearful and awesome deeds in response to the prayers of His people.  

We catch glimpses of these things when under the ministry of Roland and Heidi Baker (Iris ministries) God raises the dead, or in the regular miraculous healing in Bethel Church in Redding California. Though controversial these things are thoroughly Biblical. In fact “signs and wonders shall follow those who believe,” and “greater things” shall we do because Jesus returned to the Father (Mark 16:17; John 14:12).  However by and large the Church has failed to take Jesus up on these things. It is clearly through lack of faith of course.

There is part of the Church that has invented a theology to explain away why this is the case. It's called cessationism, the doctrine that asserts that signs and wonders ceased with the completion of the New Testament. We are told we don't need them. And rather than looking at the fruit of the work at Bethel and Iris ministries and glorifying God,  they vilify them (Matthew 12:33) because they don't fit their theological box. In the meantime the world is going to hell in an hand basket.

Father, I repent this morning for myself and Your Church,  to the extent that we have failed to believe Your Words and so failed to  demonstrate  to the World that You are indeed  an awesome and terrible God. We believe Lord, help our unbelief. We need Your help Lord, so please show us Your Glory and we will give You praise 'O You who hear prayers' (verse 2). You indeed are the hope of the World Father (verse 5). Glorify Your Name Lord in all the earth in Jesus Name Amen  

Buy the truth, and do not sell it,

.... Also wisdom and instruction and understanding (Proverbs 23:23). Two thousand years ago Pontius Pilate  asked Jesus “What is truth?” (John 18:28). But it wasn't really a question, for he walked away without waiting for an answer. Pilot was 21st century modem,  not believing in truth, for he,  like much of our society,  had sold it. Paul put it this way “they exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25). And how they (and we) do this,  is by “suppressing the truth in unrighteousness” (verse 18). It's called rationalization and denial. In other words, we sell the truth by doing things we know are wrong, and we buy the truth by living it, by walking in it (2 John 4).  But you may be asking “what is truth?”

The Scripture has two answers. In His hight priestly prayer Jesus tells the Father “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17).  He is of course referring to the Bible (Hebrews 4:12), and His rhama Word, the words He speaks to us by His Holy spirit (John 6:63; 10:27). The second answer, is that Jesus Himself is the Truth, He is Truth incarnate, Truth in the flesh (John 14:6). When we abide in the words of truth, hold fast to His teachings and live in accordance with them, then we will know the truth both intellectually and personally (knowing Jesus). And these Truths will set you free  (John 8:31, 32 Amp).  So again buying the truth is about consistent reading of His Word, walking in obedience to it,  and connecting with Him in an ongoing bases in and through His Holy Spirit.  And we need to be consistent,  because buying the truth is a process. Hearing the truth can be difficult, but He is gentle and gracious,  and in relationship with Him He only reveals what we are able to bear,  as we are increasingly able to bear it (John 16:7- 12).

It is the same with wisdom, instruction and understanding.  And again these things are all related to walking in the truth. In fact  “I have more insight, understanding and wisdom than all my teachers because Your Word is my meditation” (Psalm 119:99). The secular and popular psychologist Jordon Peterson says things like “If you simply stop doing things you know are wrong, life will go better for you.” He is elucidating a Biblical principle that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). That is that bad choices have bad fruit,  and good choices have good fruit. It's not rocket science when you see it! The truth becomes clear when you live it!

Father, nobody is saying that any of this is easy, but You have not left us alone to struggle on our own. Thank You Father for the Holy Spirit, the comforter whom You sent to teach us, to guide us, to give us wisdom and understanding and to comfort us when we need it. Thank You that it's all about relationship,  and You tell us that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank You for Your many promises,  in particular that if we draw near to You, You will draw near to us (James 4:8). So we draw near again this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

.... In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not (Isaiah 30:15). I have often come to this verse when I was troubled, in order to quiet my heart,  and return to peace. And it is a valid application of the principle/promise. The context however (“you would not”),  is of Israel choosing to turn to Egypt for council and deliverance, rather than to trust a clear Word from the Lord (verses 1, 2, 10). In terms of application we are to see Egypt as a symbol of the World, and of worldly wisdom. It is not that we cannot get good council from the world, but the context again, is about choosing to deliberately go against something He has made clear in His Word or otherwise. That,  and taking council and/or trusting in anything other than Him.

The Lord calls this iniquity and rebellion (verses 1, 13), and as with Israel He allows events to take their course. In particular He allows the consequences of “doing it my way.”  We reap what we sow, that is bad choices have bad consequences. And the Lord often waits for us to come to our senses, so that He can be gracious to us (verse 18).  It's almost as if He is saying to us “have you suffered enough yet?”  Sometimes the Lord will discipline us for “whom the Lord loves He chastens” (Hebrews 12:6).  His desire is that we learn to walk in the Spirit, that is be guided and directed by His Word and by His Spirit. When we do this,  we learn to hear His voice (John 10:27). Coming back to the Isiah passage He confirms His guidance as we step out in faith. In particular we will hear a voice behind us saying “this is the way, walk in it” (verse 21).


Father, forgive us, forgive me,  for those times when we thought we knew better,  and followed our way rather than Yours. Forgive us too Lord, that when we knew to do something,  or knew not to do something and we did not do it, or we did it anyway. Thank You Lord for the reality that when we make bad or poor choices there are always negative consequences, for they are designed to bring us back to You. And thank You Lord for the times you chasten us,  for You are treating us as sons and daughters (Hebrews 12:7-11). And  it  reminds that we are Yours. Thank You Lord for all these things in Jesus Name Amen
 

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ,

....  that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24). Paul had been discussing the relationship of the Law to grace. He tells that if it were possible that a law could be given that would lead to life, God would certainly have given it, and  then righteousness (and life) would  have come from that  law (verse 21). But illustrating this possibility, the prophet Habakkuk had cried out centuries before  “plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises.Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth” (Habakkuk 1:3, 4).  What then was the purpose of the Law?  Paul tells us elsewhere that “by the Law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).  Now sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).  And so the situation would have been hopeless had not God provided a way, the way of justification (being made right with God) through faith.  Then in this morning's verse Paul further explains that the Law was given to help us see the need of a different way, and that seeing,  we might embrace the good news of the gospel, and come to Christ as our saviour.  

So then the Law will neither fix injustice, nor through it can we gain salvation. But we do not for that reason throw out the whole thing. We are not free to commit murder just because we are not under Law but under grace. Civil law in the West is based upon Biblical laws and principles. And civil law needs to be enforced.  But just as the Mosaic Law did not bring justice, neither can civil law bring in righteousness and equality. Bigger government is not going to do this.  What needs to happen is that men's and women's hearts need to be changed.  But also, however just as we don't throw out the Mosaic Law because, among other things, we need is guidance. So neither can we rely on alone the Lord changing hearts to change the world.  We need the guidance of just civil law. And as Christians we need the right mixture of working towards social justice, and preaching the gospel so that men's hearts will be changed, and injustice dealt with.  

Father, Jesus preached the gospel and fed the poor.  And if we are to be balanced we need to be concerned with injustice,  but also in bringing the good news to this wicked and hurting world.  We are so often out of balance Lord, we need Your help to get there and stay there, and we are asking for this help this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen
 

When my heart is overwhelmed

.... lead me to the rock that is higher than I.     For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings (Psalm 61:2-4).  The crises of life, the times when our hearts are overwhelmed, these times  are crossroads.  In my own journey to faith, there were a series of crises that brought me to my knees, to the place where I finally was desperate enough to cry out to God, to admit that life was not working, and that I needed someone of something higher than I.  Twelve step programs talk about a higher power, and there are many who arrive at that very same  place I did, where they see the need of outside help. For some the higher power is the group of fellow addicts, for others it is their mother, for one man it was a cup of coffee. For me,  I was desperate enough to try God. I have always said that if He had not been real,  He would never have held me. But He is real and He did,  and He does hold me.    

My heart is overwhelmed in a different kind of way this morning. I have just come through a dry spell where I was experiencing a heaviness and disappointment,  that while not overwhelming, I was nevertheless lacking the joy of the Lord. And I had been crying out to my rock, to the One who is unchanging.  You see I have a history with this faithful One, a history where I can clearly say “You have been my shelter from the enemy.”  He has been my shelter, my strong tower, and a very present help in times of need. The group,  or the mother,  or the cup of coffee does not do this for me. When I embrace the Rock, who is  the Lord Jesus Christ,  I also have available to me all the principles of His Word, I have the exceedingly great and precious promises of the same, and when I cry out to Him in the dry times,  He does indeed lead me to Himself,  into His glorious presence. The principles, the promises and the presence. Praise the Lord!

Father, I want to thank You this morning for the rhythms of life.  Thank You Lord for the times of refreshing, that  I am feeling this morning. But thank You also for the dry times that cause me to cry out to You. Intimacy Lord is a dance, and You are Lord of the dance. Thank You  for Your faithfulness and Your consistency. I love You Lord,  and I give You praise and glory in Jesus Name Amen

My old self has been crucified with Christ.

.... It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by faith  in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).  The picture Paul paints of conversion is the death of the sinful nature and His making alive our spirit. If we are to live in the power of His resurrection life in us (Philippians 3:10), we need to embrace the spiritual reality of this.  We are to consider ourselves dead to the Law (the main emphasis here in Galatians), and we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11).  There were some who had been teaching the Galatian Church that unless you were circumcised you could not be saved. Paul tells them that for the Galatians to be circumcised would be to put themselves back under the Law, and be obliged to keep the whole thing (5:3).  Religion has been described as man's attempt to get right with God by doing things to please Him.  The offence of the cross is the Lord essentially saying you and I will never be good enough. Isaiah puts it this way “all our righteousness is like a filthy polluted garment (Isaiah 64:6). The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ has become our righteousness for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Galatians had started well, but they were somehow bewitched (3:1). The point is that it is so easy to slip back into thinking that we need to earn our salvation. The feeling that we are not good enough is, in our old self,  true.  But our old self has been crucified with Christ.  That old self is dead to the Law, and its rules and regulations no longer condemn us who live by faith in the Son of God (Romans 8:1).  This is intended to be totally personal and totally practical. That is it totally personal is that although Christ died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), He also personally died for me (verse 20).  That it is totally practical, is that being set free from the demands of the Law gives us a way to deal with our feelings of weakness and infirmity. In particular in such a state I can choose to set my mind on the truth that my righteousness (innocence) before the bar of God has been purchased for me by His Blood. In particular I never need to fear that I am not good enough, for He has made me good enough. I am declared justified, declared not guilty. I am set free to embrace the spiritual reality that we are dead to sin and alive to God.  

Father, please give us a practical revelation and understanding of these things, in particular of the truth that You have already qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (Colossians 1:12). Help us to rest in this Lord, and to know that when we fail we have a lawyer in heaven (Jesus) interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). And help us Lord to do our part in, by Your Spirit putting to death the deeds of the old self (Romans 8:13) in Jesus Name Amen

They desired only that we should remember the poor

.... the very thing which I also was eager to do (Galatians 2:10).  A major theme of the Galatian's epistle has to do with a specific question that pertains to the continuity or not of Old Covenant commandments. The wider question is not simple to answer, but the scripture records, in the negative,  the question of do the gentiles need to be circumcised. Paul had earlier gone to the apostles James, Peter and John at  Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus (verses 1, 9). Titus who was Greek was the litmus test, and was not compelled to be circumcised (verse 3).  In terms of the wider question, there are two extremes that need to be avoided. One extreme contends that the Christian does not need to obey any Old Testament command, the other extreme says they all need to be obeyed.

That not every Old covenant command is to be obeyed by the Christian was settled in the circumcision dispute (Acts 15). But there are many other commands that no longer apply.  We no longer stone our rebellious sons for example (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).  On the other hand, those who teach the first extreme, citing “all things are lawful for me” (1 Corinthians 6:12),  tend to cast off all restraint. In doing so, they fail to notice that in the very same context,  Paul tells the Corinthians  “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God” (verse 9). I mean is it lawful to murder (Exodus 20:13)? Paul is appalled at the thought that we should continue in sin and in doing so abuse the grace and mercy of God (Romans 6:1, 2). And the New Testament is full of commands to holiness and righteousness. Obedience to these commands is not what gets us saved, rather obedience is the fruit of being saved (Galatians 5:22, 23; James 2:17).

This morning's verse brings up other issues that have divided the church. In particular,  do we preach the gospel, or do we feed the poor?  Jesus did both of course. The point I am making this morning, is that we as humans are so often out of balance. This morning's verse clearly tells us that Christians needs to be involved in social justice. But we always seem to go from one extreme to the other. In particular, often for political purposes,  some of those who we formerly oppressed and marginalized are being weaponized. This is done by  stirring up social justice warriors who in the end are not so much about justice, but knowingly or unknowingly,  turning whose who were formerly oppressed into those who oppress. And it's all  done through the vehicle of political correctness.   In the midst of all of this we are called to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16).

Lord Jesus, in the first part of the last quote You told the disciples “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.” But You did send them, and You send us too.  We need Your wisdom Lord to know when to speak and when to be silent.  But we also need both Your boldness to speak, and Your wisdom about what to speak when it is time to do so. Thank You Lord that in the same context You told us not worry about how or what we should speak. For it will be given to us in that hour what we should speak (verse 19).   Keep us close to You Lord, so that we will be alert to Your promptings,  and we will give You the praise  and glory in Your lovely Name we pray Amen

Apply your heart to instruction and discipline,

....    And your ears to words of knowledge  (Proverbs 23:12). When the Lord sent Isaiah to backsliding Israel,  He told them “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed” (Isaiah 6:10). Note that the heart and the ears are mentioned in both quotations, and that the Isiah passage helps us to understand both what it means and what it does not mean to apply our hearts to instruction and our ears to knowledge. A dull heart is one that is reluctant to embrace instruction, discipline and correction. A heavy ear is one that hears only what it wants to hear.

Behind the last part of the Isiah quote is the implication that dull hearts and heavy ears lead to the need of our being healed. In other words there are negative consequences to our rebellion (see Galatians 6:7). The next verse in the  Proverbs reference commands correction not to be withheld from a child. Elsewhere we read that he who withholds discipline hates the child (Proverbs 13:24). The point is that if we don't heed instruction and discipline in our youth, we will have to learn it in adulthood. And the consequences of our adult rebellion are likely much more severe than the consequences of childhood rebellion. Many of us have learnt this truth the hard way, from the school of hard knocks.

In Proverbs 3:7 and 8 we read “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” In other words, putting all this together,  if we are applying our ears to words of knowledge we will see that the words are there for our provision and protection. On the other hand, applying our hearts to instruction and discipline,  is about putting our heart into seeking understanding, and doing it proactively. Interestingly twelve-step programs lead us this way through these things. Those of us who do this have found in the process, that there are many hidden things that trip us up. They are hidden for various reasons from our understating. And we cannot turn and be healed if we are not willing to seek them out and expose them in our lives.

Lord Jesus, You told us that You came to heal the broken hearted and to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). There are many exceedingly great and precious promises that enable us to get there, but they are not automatic. Again Lord, you tells us not to be sluggish but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (Hebrews 6:12). I don't want to be a casual Christian Lord, so please help me (us) to put our heart, mind, soul and strength into these things. We thank You in advance for the results (the abundant life),  and we give You the glory in Your precious Name Amen


My heart is steadfast, O God

.... my heart is steadfast (Psalm 57:7). The context of this Psalm is of David hiding in a cave from King Saul who was seeking his life. In the first verse of the Psalm he cries out “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.” The difficulties of life are crossroads for the believer. You and I can give into fear, anger or offence, or we can turn to God in trust. David is not in denial about his situation, like the proverbial ostrich hiding his head in the sand. Speaking poetically he tells God that his soul is among lions, and that their teeth are spears and arrows (verse 4). Yet twice in this short Psalm he also declares “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be over all the earth” (5, 11). The first time he does this,  is immediately after, as said above, he has faced the reality of his situation.

Praising God is not the natural man's response to troubles.  However after choosing to trust, and then proclaiming His faithfulness (verses 1, 2) it is David's determined act of faith. Such a response is not based on feelings, for at such times not one of us would likely feel like praising God. We don't feel our way into action however, that's not the way it works. Rather, we act our way into feelings. Such action is not pretending. God is faithful and merciful, righteous and holy,  independent of our feelings. In other words He is worthy of praise whether we feel like it or not. And so when we choose to praise in the midst of our trials,  we are practicing living in the truth. It seems to me,  that choosing to worship Him in our pain, is part of what it means to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).  

Concerning acting our way into feelings, it is after praising God that David speaks this morning's title verse.  It is by our determined action to respond in faith to all that occurs,  that our hearts become steadfast. Isaiah cries out “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3).  At the risk of being overly repetitious,  it is a choice to keep our minds and hearts steadfastly fixed on the One who is able to deliver, on the One who “performs all things for me” (verse 2b). It is also a choice to allow ourselves to be swayed, offended or tripped up by circumstances, or by things not going our way!  

Father, we tend to say things like “he made me mad!” It's an excuse to blame our choice to respond in anger or offence,  on the actions of others. We are not responsible for the wrong done to us, but we are responsible for our response to it. We need Your help Father, to stop blaming others and,  after having poured out our complaint to You (Psalm 142:2), to turn to You in praise. And so we say with David this morning “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be over all the earth” in Jesus Name Amen

In God I have put my trust;

.... I will not be afraid. What can man do to me (Psalm 56:11)? It was not that David was not aware of what man could do to him. In verses 1 and 2 he declares that man would swallow him up, that there are many who fight against him, and that fighting all day his enemies oppress him. David however determines in his heart that “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (verse 3). So again, it is not that David is never afraid, rather it is that he will not give into it. And how he does that is that he replaces his fear by choosing to trust in God.  In verse 9 he tells the Lord “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.”

Though David experienced the deliverance of the Lord numerous times, they were far from instantaneous. During those times, David  clung to the thought that God is for him. He would strengthen himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6), and this enabled him through faith and patience to endure,  and to wait patiently for Him to act.  Now Paul tells us that “everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures,  and the encouragement they provide,  we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

So when David asks himself (three times in this passage) “What can man do to me?” He casts it off.  Jesus instructs similarly saying “do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him (Luke 12:4, 5). Related to this we read in Isaiah 51:12 "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass” (Isaiah 51:12)?

Father, Paul asks “If God be for us, who can be against us?” After all it is You who delivered up Your Son for our justification. And when we shun fear and put our trust in You, then with Your help Lord we are not just conquerors,  we are more than conquerors through You who love us (Romans 8:31-37). Help us Lord, to see all of these things as opportunities to trust You and grow in wisdom and faith. Help us Lord each time fear rears it ugly head to choose to trust in You. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen
 

For unto us a Child is born,

... Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peaceThere will be no end (Isaiah 9:6, 7a). Both Christian and the early Jewish commentators see this passage referring to the then coming messiah. Post Christ Jewish commentators have sought to explain this away identifying the son as Hezekiah. It won't wash, the given description can apply to no mere man! So much orthodox Christian theology as well as mystery, is tied up in these few Old Testament lines, but also in the wider context of the book of Isaiah. We see here, for example, the dual nature of Christ.  As a child born,  He took on flesh, becoming fully human, yet He is almighty God. The mystery of the trinity is here too, one of the names of the child born,  the son given,  is the everlasting Father.  

Eschatology, the study of the last days and of everlasting righteousness and peace,  is also here. Everlasting peace cannot be accomplished without God intervening with His governmental authority. And it rests on the shoulders of Messiah. It is interesting that the context of this passage is of judgement (verse 14), so clearly if His reign is to be a reign of peace,  He has to separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32).  Note too, that “the Son given” is a gift. For God so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  And for those who have eyes to see “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (verse 2a).

So yes there is judgement, but also there is mercy “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (1:18). And it is relationship that He seeks.  As Wonderful counselor He is Holy Spirit, coming   along side to comfort and council. As the Father He is the one who adopts us, gives us the spirit of adoption and causes us to cry out “Abba, Daddy, Father” (Romans 8:15).  As the everlasting Father, the son is from everlasting to everlasting.  And though He was crucified in time, He was also “slain before the foundation of the World” (Revelation 3:18).  As this, as I say is orthodox Christian theology which we often seem to forget, is swept in mystery.  To those inside has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. And with  twenty twenty hind-site it is clear (or should I say somewhat clear). However those outside “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive” (6:9).

Father, I am caused to wonder again this morning at the amazing details of Your plan of salvation. Do I understand it all?  Well Father if I did I would be God and I am not. But Lord with all this mystery it is no wonder that the wisdom of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.  Thank You Lord that by the “foolishness” of preaching You found me and rescued me. And I ask Lord that You give me the grace to live truth,  so although they may not understand, nevertheless they will want what I have. And I will give Your glory in Jesus Name Amen

Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?

....  Then I said, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah had just had a dramatic encounter with the Lord. He had seen the Him high and lifted up, and His train had filled the temple. The vision, if that is what it was, included seraphim  crying out that the Lord is holy, their voices causing the foundations of the temple to shake (verses 1-4). Isaiah himself was greatly shaken and confesses “I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (verse 5).  One of the seraphim brings a live coal from the alter,  and with it touches Isiah's lips declaring him clean.  The awareness of our sin and that of the culture,  is inevitable in any encounter with the Lord. And when we encounter the Lord without (or before),  He has cleansed us, we too would cry out with Isaiah “Woe is me, I am undone” (verse 5). But thank God,  that when we confess our sin, He is faithful not only to forgive us, but also to cleanse us (1 John 1:9)!

His sin, having been dealt with,  the Lord commissions Isaiah,  inviting him into his destiny with this morning's verse. And also like Isaiah,  we are not saved so we can sit around on clouds playing harps. And while we are not saved by good works, we are called and commissioned unto them (Ephesians 2:8-10). The tender mercies of our God are great, forgiving us of our sin,  cleaning us and assuring us of a place in heaven.  Such tender mercies should motivate us to present our very lives as living sacrifices. This is both our spiritual worship, and the only reasonable response to them (Romans 12:1 AMP).

The callings and commissionings of God are not cake walks. Isaiah was told that the people to whom he was called to prophecy, would not hear him (verses 9-13).  Not that much has changed in several thousand years. Concerning spiritual truths neither then nor now, do people see with their eyes, hear with their ears or understand with their hearts (verse 10). Nevertheless “how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them” (Romans 10:14)? And I am hearing the renewed call from the Lord this morning “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” The “us” of course is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit here am I, cleanse me, refine me,  send me and use me.  I cannot do this without You Lord. I need Your help to be the ongoing living sacrifice to which You invite me. Thank You Lord that the commissioning also comes with the grace, the wherewithal to carry it out. Give me, give us the tenacity, the boldness and the wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the midst of this wicked and crooked generation among whom, with Your help we are to shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). But also Lord give us overcoming joy in the midst of it all. And we will give You the Glory in Your precious Name Amen

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil

.... Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And shrewd in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20, 21)!  I have heard it said that the Kingdom of God is the upside down Kingdom, the first shall be last,  and    he who humbles himself shall be exalted etc., etc.  But really, it's the Kingdoms of this world that are wrong side up, and the thinking of the world is bound up in foolishness rather than wisdom. The world,  by its wisdom, does not know God (1 Corinthians 1:21), and truth is suppressed  by unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

There are times when the Bible seems to read like today's newspaper, for the news media has,  by and large,  turned into the propaganda of the world that justifies wrong and vilifies right.  Traditional values are under attack, masculinity is said to be toxic, the family unit, the very basis of the stability of a culture,  is being dismantled. If a parent does not affirm the gender confusion of a child, that parent is in grave danger of the child being taken away by the government!  Never mind that all this contradicts science, and that research shows that the majority of those with this kind of confusion grow out of it.  But no,  all these things must bow at the alter of the politically correct. And should we dare to object to any of it,  we are described as phobic  hate mongers.  But then Jesus said “if they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). And in case you're not sure, they did persecute Him!

How are we to respond?  Well, if we are to follow Jesus,  we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We need to remember we too were once His enemies, but that He reconciled us through His death on the cross (Romans 5:10). And if we are to love those He is seeking to win,  we need to see that there are many “woes” that are coming to the lost.  We are to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44 again). Paul puts it this way “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Notice in particular,  that these who exchange the truth of God for a lie are prisoners of the Evil one. And if we are to love them, we need to pray for their freedom. This is why Jesus came   (Luke 4:18).

Father,  the accusations of hate and fear by the church are not without  validity. We repent of these things Lord for ourselves,  and on behalf of the church. We claim the promise Lord that if Your people who are called by Your name will humble themselves, and pray,  seek Your  face, and turn from our wicked ways, You  will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Help us diligently to do our part Lord,  and we give You the glory in advance Lord,  for healing the land in Jesus Name Amen

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves

.... with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12). Paul, who had first lead the Corinthians to Christ (11:2), found himself having to defend himself against accusations of false apostles (i.e. 10:10; 11:13). Comparing yourself with others, puffing yourself up,  and putting others down, is not just in politics. It is part of fallen human nature, and it is somewhat infectious. I find it so much easier to be humble with those who are humble. But with those who are boasting,  I can find myself wanting to push myself forward. “Oh yeh, well let me tell you about me!”

Part of the accusation against Paul, was that in his presence he was not bold.  And in irony, he is essentially saying he is not bold enough to compare himself with those who boast of their accomplishments (12). In fact he will reluctantly boast, but not in his accomplishments. Rather in order to defend himself and to protect the Corinthians from the false apostles, he boasts in his suffering. And he can do this, because suffering is the vehicle that allows for Christ's power to rest on him (12:9).  Worldly thinking is so very different from spiritual. The world thinks of meekness as weakness. And Paul,  while he was there,  had been gentle and meek among them  (10:1). Because of this they thought of him as worldly (10:2). But meekness is not weakness, it is strength under control.  A meek person can be bold when it is necessary. Jesus was meek, but He was bold,  for example, when He made a whip of chords and drove the money changers out of the temple (John 2:14, 15).

In the world, it's all about image, about the outward appearance, looking good on the outside (10:7). Scriptures tells us that “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  If we find ourselves concerned only with the outward appearance, we will inevitably get caught up in comparing ourselves with others. This morning's verse tells us this is not wise. It is not wise to see ourselves as better than others, for “pride comes before the fall,” and those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Proverbs 16:18: Matthew 23:12). It is not wise when by comparing ourselves to others,  we finish up putting ourselves down, feeling inferior and useless. We are image bearers of God and each and every one of us is precious and valued in His sight. The value of something is what someone it willing to pay for it. And Jesus paid for you and I by His costly death on the cross. That makes you and I infinitely valuable!

Father, help us not to get caught up in comparing ourselves with others. It can lead to pride, or jealousy, or to feeling inferiority. We are not to think too highly of ourselves, but to think soberly according to the measure of our faith (Romans 12:3). But neither are we to think of ourselves as inferior, for we are image bearers of Yourself. Help us Lord to think rightly about these things,  and we will give You the praise and the glory in Jesus Name Amen

Who is this coming up from the wilderness

....     Leaning upon her beloved (Song 8:5)? This is one of the places,  in the Song of Solomon,  where the allegory of Solomon as Christ, and his bride as the Christian and/or the church, comes into its own. A word of caution about allegory, we must not allow it to teach us 'truths' that cannot also be clearly found, by sound interpretation, in the rest of Scripture. Concerning our being the Bride of Christ then,  Paul, for example,  says “I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him” (2 Corinthians 11:2). That we were in the wilderness is also clear, for “we were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). And that we are to lean on (depend on) Christ,  is not only necessary ('without Him we can do nothing' John 15:5), it is what sustains and empowers us ('when I am weak then I am strong' 2 Corinthians 12:10).

The passion of the Shulamite is the pure passion of her first love. It is not jaded, not tainted by lust, as love is in most of our culture. This love  is a strong a death (6b).  Death is strong, because in the end it conquers every living thing. Also this love, like death, cannot be  vanquished. In particular “many waters cannot quench it, nor can the floods drown it (7a).  Waters are spoken of over and over in the Scripture,  as trials (i.e. Isaiah 43:2). In other words if we have this love for our heavenly bride, neither trials nor difficulties will quench it. The determination that this be reality is likely present in all newly weds, and it will of course be tested. The passion of our love for Christ will be tested too! This love is also “a most vehement flame” (6c),  literally 'the fire-flame of Jehovah' (Isaiah 6:6). The passion that burnt in Solomon for his bride, is what stirred up and awakened this love in the Shulamite (verse 4). By analogy it is the love of Jesus Christ for us His bride, that kindles this love in us (1 John 4:19). In fact “we love because He first love us” (1 John 4:19).

Within the analogy, the question posed in this morning verse, is an invitation to see the beauty of Christ's bride who is so head over heals in love with her lover.  A firefly passionate love for Jesus, as depicted above, is a huge witness in and of itself.  Such fiery love for the Lord gives meaning and direction to life, the very things the world lacks, and so often seeks in all the wrong places.  We are intended to live and love Christ and each other in such tangible ways,  that the World will proclaim “I don't know what you have that I don't, but I want it.”  And I find myself this morning examining my heart to see where I may need to return to my first love.

Father, You command us to love You with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. Forgive us Lord for places and times,  when and where we have lost our first love. We repent this morning Lord,  and seek to buy gold refined in the fire, and salve for out eyes (Revelation 3:18). We do this so that we may truly see,  and that our love for You be rekindled by the fire of Your passionate love for us. We give You praise and Glory in Jesus Name Amen

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

....By the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases (Song 2:7). Tradition has it that until they were thirty, the Jews were not allowed to read this Old Testament book that talks about the love of Solomon for his Shulamite bride.  Certainly parts of it are somewhat racy, the previous verse for example essentially describes foreplay. A primary Christian interpretation/application of the book is of Christ's love for His bride. It goes along well with what Paul says about the mystery concerning Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32). And there is much that is valid here. In particular it is empowering to know that Christ is ravished (in a non sexual way) with my love for Him (4:9). But there are also times when  in my opinion, this is forced. In particular, this morning's verse comes in the context of the foreplay mentioned above. It shows that the primary interpretation of love here,  is sexual love.

That the Bible should seek to teach us about sex should not be surprising. After all God invented sex. He's not up there looking down saying “What are they doing?” But what this morning's verse is saying, is that there is a time and a place for sexual love to be stirred up and awakened.  The Judaeo-Christain teaching from the Scriptures is that God's perfect plan for sexuality is one man one woman in lifelong monogamous relationship. In particular we are to flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthian 6:8). If we do not flee,  we will certainly stir it up, especially if it has already been awakened.  One therapist described our culture as being possessed by pseudo,  hyper sexuality.  Pseudo, because it is a counterfeit of the real thing. The Lord's intention is that it be the culmination of  emotional and spiritual intimacy, a union of body, soul and spirit.  A friend of mine likened sex outside of marriage to playing the cymbals at the wrong time in a concert.

It is hyper because so many are running round jumping in and out of bed, often with complete strangers. I do not come to you this morning in self righteousness, in fact most of us have blown it, but as long as we have breath we can repent and obey. And we need to realize that the propaganda that comes out of Hollywood that has normalized all forms is sexuality,  is a lie. In particular we cannot engage in such behaviour without consequences. And I am not just talking about STD's and pregnancy. Every time we engage in an illicit sexual union we weaken the bonding mechanism and we devalue, and pollute this precious gift that God has given, making it only slightly more significant than shaking hands.  This is not even to mention that we become addicted to it, for “he who sins is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). Many of us have discovered that awakened promiscuous sexual appetites do not disappear simply because we got married!

Father, the verse “remember not the sins of my youth” (Psalm 25:7) comes to mind. What Your Word teaches may seem old fashioned and outmoded in today's world Lord, but it is devastating marriages and relationships,  and the children are the ones who are suffering the most. Forgive us Lord, forgive me, and please grant us repentance,  so that we may live holy and righteous lives that are well pleasing to You our joy and our hope. In Jesus Name I pray Amen

Now since you excel in everything-

..... in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you -- see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others (2 Corinthians 8:7, 8). To excel is to be greater or better than someone or something. Paul acknowledges that the Corinthians excelled at the things mentioned. He then admonishes them to excel  in the grace of giving.  He is, he tells them,  testing the sincerity of their love (verse 8), for “love must not be with words only, but also with truth and action”  (1 John 3:18).  It has been said that you can tell if a person's faith is real,  by whether it extends to his pocket book.  Nevertheless this is not a command, it is an admonition (verse 8)

I do want to acknowledge something that grieves me and I think grieves God, and that is that there is much abuse by televangelists and the like, who use Biblical teaching  to manipulate their audience into giving to them. And then living high on the hog. It is, as I say, abuse. Paul here is talking about giving to the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26), not to his own ministry. Actually,  the law gave Paul the right to live from the proceeds of the gospel, but many times he would not receive it “lest we hinder the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:8-12).  Nevertheless, we do need to support the local church,  for “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (verse 14). It's the pressure and the manipulation that's the problem. But, again it's not just the church where we need to give.  For example, from the council of Jerusalem came the admonition to “remember the poor” (Galatians 2:10).

Paul is also careful to say, that it's not about making ourselves poor that others might be made rich (verse 13). Nevertheless we “know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sake's He became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich” (verse 9). Here the grace of God excels indeed, and we are never commanded or admonished to do something that He has not already done, but more so. We are to be motivated then by  the  extravagant grace of our Lord, but also by the extravagance of others. We see this in verse 8 again, where Paul admonishes them to excel in the grace of giving  “by comparing it with the earnestness of others.” The “others”  Paul is talking here about the churches of Macedonia (verse 1). To put this another way, the Corinthians, and we too,  are admonished in our giving to “provoke one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

Father, please give us grace to excel in this grace of giving. We cannot out give You. You are no man's debtor, for “whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them” (Proverbs 19:17). Thank You Lord Jesus, that You became poor that we might become rich. Thank You that You became sin, that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thank You for salvation and for Your amazing extravagant healing love and Grace. We praise and bless You again this morning Lord, in Your holy, lovely and precious Name Amen


 

For godly sorrow produces repentance

... leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10).  Paul first letter had corrected the Corinthians for a number of things, and it had caused them sorrow (7:8). And for a while that had caused Paul sorrow too, but now he could rejoice,  because in the end it had lead to their repentance.  It is clear that Paul loved the Corinthians, and that it was out of his heart of love that he wrote. All this illustrates well how difficult it is both to give,  and to receive truth even when it is spoken in love.  It is difficult, because many times we want to give the other person a piece of our mind. For me, part of how I judge if I am ready to speak, is by my reluctance (or not) to hurt the other person. If I love the other person I wont want to hurt them, however “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6).


Another reason it's difficult, is that many times  even when truth is spoken in love, the other person gets mad. This also illustrates the
difficulty in receiving truth,  even when spoken in love!  But as the scripture says “the ear that hears the rebukes of life, will abide among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31). On the other hand, the ear that does not hear (and change his ways) is, with this morning's verse, on the path to death. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), and if I love the truth I will want to know where I might be falling short, no matter that is difficult to hear.  I need to ask myself, am I teachable. Proverbs again “rebuke a wise man, and he will love you” (Proverbs 9:8).

So yes the truth can hurt at times. The Bible puts it this way “no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).  Are we willing to be trainied by the rebuke.  Is my sorrow godly sorrow that leads to repentance and life? Or is my sorrow “sorry, I got caught,” or sorrow that reality trips me up when I make poor choices? The no regret part of this morning's verse comes, because I realize that if I had not messed up and suffered the consequences, I would not have repented and not be where I am today. I would not be loving the Lord, and appreciating the wisdom of His ways and and the joy of living for Him.

Lord Jesus, truly You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.  And the abundant life only comes as we  follow You in full obedience, repenting and changing when we are nudged by You to do so. Let our sorrow be godly sorrow Lord, and grant us obedience and repentance.  We are not saved by obedience, we are saved by grace. However it is only in full obedience that we experience life as You intend it to be. It's not that there are no problems, but when I am in fellowship with You,  You give me the grace to rise above it all. Thank You Lord, thank You Father, thank You Holy Spirit.  Hallelujah Amen

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

.... Sing praises to our King, sing praises (Psalm 47:6). As I was meditating on this Psalm this morning, the Lord reminded me of an incident in Hong Kong in the summer of 2019. There were widespread demonstrations against the Chinese government's now aborted extradition bill. It would have allowed extradition, to mainland China. At times there were 2 million demonstrators, and  violence and arrests. In June Christians started turning up at protests singing  'Sing Hallelujah to the Lord.'  It was reported that “Once they started singing, everyone became calm."  That particular song is very interesting to me,  since it was that song that first fully brought home to me the difference between singing songs,  and praising the Lord. It was in a church in Vancouver in the summer of 1977. I had known the Lord for several years at that time, but I had never before felt the presence of the Lord so strongly in Church.  It underlined for me the truth that “the Lord inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3).  

There was, as I say, a strong sense of the Lord's presence. It is when we truly praise Him that He shows up.  He is always there of course, because He has told us He will never leave us nor forsake us. But there are times when we feel His presence more than others. To put it slightly differently,  He does not manifest His presence when we merely sing songs, even spiritual ones.  And it's not about how good is the  performance! When all else is right, those who admit they cannot sing, are at no disadvantage, for a joyful noise is music to the Father's ears (Psalm 100:1). So what else needs to be right? Well, Jesus told us that the Father seeks worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).

But what does that mean? Well for a start,  I cannot imagine the Christians in Hong Kong getting into that very dangerous place between the rioters and the police with unconfessed sin in their lives!They would certainly be walking (living) in the truth of God's Word (3 John 3, 4). It's about obedience, about walking in the light as He is in the light,  and about being at peace with one another (1 John 1:7; Ephesians 4:3).  But what about “in spirit?”  In Christ our spirit is made alive (Ephesians 2:1), and then His Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).  We are body,  soul and spirit, but really to worship Him in spirit is to worship Him with all we are and have.  Paul admonishes us to “be filled with the Spirit speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesian 5:18, 19). So another part of what it means,  is that we are to worship Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength!

Father, I confess to You this morning that I do not always feel like worshipping You at all, never mind in spirit and truth. But the song comes to mind “As our hearts begin to worship, we'll be glad because we came.”  In fact Lord when we worship when we don't feel like it, this is precious to You. Thank You Lord. It's not pretending, it is practicing,  and being obedient. Continue to draw us Lord,  and when we come in worship please bring us into Your awesome presence in Jesus Name Amen



Be still, and know that I am God

.... I will be exalted among the nations (Psalm 46:10).  The Psalmist had just invited us to behold the works of the Lord, the desolation of Israel's Assyrian enemies.  He declares that the Lord makes wars cease to the ends of the earth,  and destroys the weapons of war (verses 8, 9). The Lord then speaks through him in this morning's verse telling them and us,  to be still and to know that He is God.   You have to take the long view, to see the truth of verses 8 and 9 in the here and now. Kingdoms, empires come and go, but in the end they all end in destruction. The full truth of these verses however will only come to fruition in eternity (Ezekiel  37:26).

You have to take the long view, the eternal view, to make any sense of truth, justice and righteousness, indeed of life itself. Ecclesiastes (another part of this morning's daily readings) speaks about the vanity and the futility of the endless, seemingly meaningless cycles of life, of life “under the sun.” There is so much pain, so much injustice, so much that is not if the Lord. And we need to hear that God is on the throne, that He is God and that He will be exalted in the nations and in the earth. He will come out on top. It is not enough however to have intellectual knowledge that when we side with God that we win in the end! We need to know God in the way that we truly know people. That is we experience them in encounter, and in relationship with them.

But we cannot truly know God by rushing into His presence and then out again. The value we place on a relationship can be measured by the amount of time we are willing to give to it.  And in the business of modern life, it takes time to quiet ourselves down and be still.  But it is only when we are still that we can hear the still small voice of God (1Kings 19:12).  And if we are not willing to quiet ourselves down and be still, we will miss it. It is in the stillness that we know that He is God. And when we know that He is God, we also know that He is good. And we know that He can be trusted, that no matter what happens He is truly working behind the scenes for our good (Romans 8:28). This does not mean that bad things don't happen, but when they do, and we also know that He is God,  we also have verse 11 that “the LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”

Father, I confess my sin,  and the sin of Your people,  that over and over we fill our lives with business, and empty and meaningless things.  Help us Lord, help me, to get my priorities right, to learn to quiet myself down and take time to simply sit in Your presence. As a father who wants the attention of his adult children, I know that You want this more than we do. We thank You Lord for Your patience and Your love. And we give You praise and glory again this morning in Jesus Name Amen

(Christ) died for all, in order that

.... those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view (2 Corinthians 5:15, 16). “Those who live” are those who were once dead in trespasses and sins, who followed the ways of this world, those who lived according to the sinful nature (Ephesians 2:1, 2). This morning's verses are telling us that there was a purpose in Christ dying.  It is that those of us He rescued from eternal death, hell and destruction should no longer follow the ways of the World. Instead, we should live for Him. So then is it all about me, or all about Jesus?  Do I live to please myself, or do I live to please the Lord?  Is my life in the ongoing process of being changed from glory to glory (3:18), or am I either stuck, or worse left completely unchanged?

I am not asking these questions to condemn, for there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Though, as we were saying yesterday, we will have to give an account (verse 10). No, I am asking these questions to challenge myself (and you), to ask if I really am living for Him. There are many aspects to this, in this morning's passage our attention is being drawn to how we think about and deal with ourselves and others (verse 16).  Do we regard ourselves and others as new creations with the old gone (verse 17). Are we looking for the treasure, or the trash? Do we see ourselves and others as God sees us? In calling us saints, He is seeing the best version that you and I can be.  He is seeing the potential. 

It's not just about how I see others, I am somewhat frustrated with myself this morning. I have been anxious about something that has no eternal value. It is an area of trust that I thought  had victory in. Yet I find myself wrestling with it. I wrestle through to victory (i.e using Philippians 4:4-8) and find peace. The a short time later I am wrestling again. Something in me that I thought was already dead, has to die. It is by the Spirt, but also with my input,  that these things are put to death (Romans 8:13). It seems that we do not die easily to the self, and it is a process.

Father, I ask this morning for myself and my brothers and sisters that You will help us to see ourselves and others as You see us. Help us to be patient with ourselves and others, and to call ourselves up, not out! We are better than our failures! We need Your grace to live for You Lord,  and not for ourselves. It's all about You, it's not about me, as if You should do things my way. You alone are God, and I surrender (again this morning) to Your ways, in Jesus Name Amen