Grace blesses obedience…

Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his (Asa) place and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. (2 Chronicles 17:1–6)

The mystery and marvel of grace is that it is God's free gift and nothing I do can earn it, yet after receiving it in the wonder of salvation and eternal life, grace grants the power to earn His blessing. The example above is clear; Jehoshaphat did what God wanted and God then blessed him.

Obedience is not to earn a blessing but it is an expression of gratitude for already having a blessing. This king responded to the Lord’s goodness by walking in His ways, and the Lord responded to his obedience by granting him all that he needed and more.

This grace is so amazing. The more unworthy and helpless I feel, along with the deeper conviction of needing Him, the more blessings He pours out. Answered prayer is one of them. We have been praying for years about a rift between two family members. This week, God healed that rift and restored the relationship big time. It is so incredible that I can hardly grasp the reality. God did that? Awesome beyond awesome.

A young friend asked me for prayer regarding a promotion. He wanted more wages so he could help his dad with family expenses. The promotion seemed unlikely but with a big hug he told me yesterday that God granted it. Another awesome grace. And there have been more.

As for Jehoshaphat, he named a place where he gathered his soldiers to bless God after various peoples of the Transjordan invaded his land, but then slaughtered each other. He called that place Beracah, which means “valley of blessing.” (2 Chronicles 20:1–30) 

This response is mine too. Every day brings new needs and new surprises. Grace does not operate on expected predictability but on God’s ways being higher than mine. For this, my heart rejoices.

Lord Jesus, seeing You doing “exceedingly above all that I can ask or imagine” fills me with joy. Truly this week has been incredible. Thank You for Your abundant grace and a host of surprises.

Do not neglect to confess and repent…

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. . . . Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day. Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’ Now therefore, O Lord, God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David. “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you, that your eyes may be open day and night toward this house, the place where you have promised to set your name, that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. (2 Chronicles 6:12–21)

While not printed here, the rest of Solomon’s prayer is mostly asking God to remember His covenant with David and the promises He made to those who sin. When that happens and “if they repent with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, then hear from heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their pleas, and maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you. Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.”

Sometimes Christians fail to realize the importance of keeping short accounts with God. One reason is that, “We are already forgiven so there is no reason to ask for forgiveness.” However, the NT says:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:7–10)

The opposite of walking in light is living in darkness, a word that describes being oblivious to where I am and what I am doing. Unless I read the Word of God and hear the Holy Spirit showing me what is wrong with me, I will remain in darkness. However, the plan of God is to transform me into the likeness of His Son. I must pay attention. I must read and realize His conviction and agree with it (confession). Not only is forgiveness applied, but also cleansing. Without this, that sin remains and is repeated. Sadly, no confession is making God a liar and revealing that His Word, even if I read it, has not worked the changes that it is well-able to do.

Solomon started well but later decided to rule parts of his life. He did not confess his sinful desires and was stuck with them. This happened to a wise man — so who is exempt?

Jesus, keep me alert. I don’t like seeing my sinful errors, but cannot confess what is keeping me in the dark without You shedding light on those selfish ideas and stubborn insistence on my own way. Humility is always blessed. Don’t give up in helping me see what I need to confess before You.

 

All joy comes from Jesus

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” (1 Chronicles 29:10–19)

Today was unusual. Beginning it by a fun time work on a HARD puzzle, then reading David’s prayer put much joy in my heart. His prayer echos my thoughts. How wonderful is the Lord. He is exalted above all else and able to bless His people with strength and the power to do His will.

He blessed us as we took a trip to a nearby greenhouse that goes beyond plants with an incredible restaurant. After eating an incredible chicken Benedict, we looked at spring plants, an amazing gift store, then a unique food store, and finally a spectacular orchid display. I said of the hundreds of varieties in every color and color combination imaginable, “How can anyone think all this just happened or just evolved?” 

They echoed David’s prayer, and as I watched dozens of visitors and shoppers also in such variety, I marvel again the creative power of the Lord. How can He not be praised when seeing the glory of His imagination!

Coming hope with a tired body and sore feet does not ruin the praise I feel. His Word pops up with:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Getting tired out in a paradise of food and flowers boosts my energy level. Imagine what heaven will do for it!

Jesus, many thanks for today. It was truly a blessing to laugh with family and enjoy the treats at the Enjoy Centre. Thank You for being my portion today and forever.

Obedience and blessings

Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’ Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. He said to me, ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:2–8)

David was the king and yet forbidden to built the house of the Lord. As king, this seemed out of line. Yet even though it was on his heart, God said NO and David was okay with that. He accepted his lot in life and obeyed God. His response to this is remarkable.

Not only that, he turned it into sound advice for others, telling them to obey God because that is key to the good life for ourselves and our children. Most humans try to make that good life happen by our own efforts, but…

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Running my life my way will lead to misery because my own way is sin. Why is it so easy to believe Satan when he whispers “God does not want the best for you” and forget that He died for me that I might have an abundant life and the ability to live His way?

This week I told my pastor that God gave me an easily distracted mind for a reason, not that I would be distracted from the truth but that I would need to constantly read it from His word because that is the only way I can remember it. I accept my weakness because He uses it for good.

Jesus, I am thankful for my mother’s mantra, “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” It is a biblical attitude that put the idea in my heart to accept whatever You and life throw at me, and to look for Your good reasons for letting things happen. You DO want the best for me, even when it comes as an unpleasant trial to prompt a heart search. Thank You, thank You.

 

 

Leaving a legacy…

David commanded to gather together the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. David also provided great quantities of iron for nails for the doors of the gates and for clamps, as well as bronze in quantities beyond weighing, and cedar timbers without number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought great quantities of cedar to David. For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death. (1 Chronicles 22:2–5)

David wanted to leave a legacy, but not quite the same as a dictionary defines it: “A legacy is money, property, or intangible assets (like traditions or reputations) passed down from predecessors or ancestors. It often refers to a lasting impact, such as a "legacy of leadership" or "legacy software". Synonyms include bequest, inheritance, heritage, endowment, and tradition.”

David wanted the house of the Lord to be magnificent and bring glory to God. He knew that his son didn’t have all it would take so he began a supply of materials for Solomon’s task. 

This strikes me as a picture of disciple-making. No one lives forever in this world as a tabernacle for the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus said He would build His church and it would last forever, not one member of His body lives here forever. Our faith is to be shared and others taught how to live for God as His representatives on earth. The materials need to be His supply and in qualities both magnificent and of fame and glory.

This means sharing with others what God has shared with me, others who will do the same with others. The supply of materials is massive making the curriculum for a disciple maker enormous. The NT is filled with instructions on what to bring to the classroom.

This list includes: warnings about false teachers, hanging tight to your own faith while sharing it, praying for all people, loving enemies, managing your own life and that of your family, keeping short accounts with God, growing deeper in understanding and living out the will of God, commanding and teaching others, using spiritual gifts, loving relationships and communion with other Christians, how to deal with those who disobey God, how to deal with those who are disobedient, and much more. God says that what I have heard from Him and those who taught me, I will, in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to other faithful believers, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Thinking of David, he didn’t have a perfect life, nor would his son be perfect either, but both were given grace to do what God wanted them to do. This encourages me to obey what the Lord gives me, and teach others to do the same:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

It takes time, and faith, to obey this command. Some are given two or three to pour their life into. Others have larger ‘classrooms’ yet all have the Lord’s presence and grace because we cannot do this by ourselves.

Jesus, You sometimes use formal teaching times and I thank You for allowing me to lead Bible studies for many years. You also use informal times to talk with other Christians with the goal of encouraging their growth. Like David supplied what was needed, You grant me discernment, words, actions that I never would think of without Your Spirit prompting and even surprising me. And the big surprise is that You bring results out of what feels like puny efforts on my part — and feed those five loaves and two fish to others, as only You can.

Pouring out an offering…

Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the Lord and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it.… (1 Chronicles 11:15–19)

Again, another OT narrative stumps me into searching for its meaning. In the above story, my first thought was David didn’t appreciate what his men had done and pouring it on the ground showed contempt for their actions, but that didn’t seem right, particularly because he poured it out to the Lord.

Study showed that this was a libation, and done by many cultures, including Israel. However they were not allowed the same cultic reasons for doing it. 

It was usually a thank offering which fits this, and as has been on my mind, a demonstration of praise to God. Drinking it would be taking the glory of what they had done for himself rather than giving it to the Lord.

In this instance, the libation went beyond being thankful that his men risked their lives to bring him a drink. It also pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was "poured out” to meet our need. 

The Apostle Paul also used this imagery to describe his own life as a sacrifice: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” (Philippians 2:17)

Both David and Paul reveal a passion for Jesus Christ that goes beyond enjoying the sacrifices others make for them. Instead of thanking people or relishing in their goodness, honoring the Lord takes priority.

I notice that other Christians seldom pour out their love for Christ when others serve them. I know in my own life that my ego is warmed by such actions, yet I know that Jesus should be honored, not me. These men could say: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” (2 Corinthians 12:15) And I should be able to say it also.

Lord Jesus, how often have I relished praise or any other blessing when the glory belongs to You. I excuse the doing of it knowing how weak and useless I am without You, yet drink it up to make me feel good when that offering belongs to You alone. While I am grateful for Your forgiveness and patience, teach me to do the right thing when anyone makes a sacrifice that rightly belongs to You. Like David, the man with a heart like Your’s, may I refuse to drink water that had been fought for, choosing to pour it out to give You the glory.

Beware of trusting myself…

The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died. Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together. 
And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. And they put his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. But when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:3–14)

This passage confused me. Saul committed suicide yet the Word also said that the Lord put him to death. However, Spence’s thorough commentary cleared it up. Here is what he said:

He who had often conquered the Philistines and other hostile nations, with little of material help, fell before them, because he had guiltily forfeited the Divine help. He had presumed on himself — it brings him to make an end of himself! As repentance had been the stranger of his company, so now despair is the bosom friend he hugs. And trace as best we may the course he ran, his character, and the end of a life which had opened in providence so abundant and so encouraging, the skilled pen of Scripture guides our last thought, and reveals the just conclusion of the whole matter: “Saul died for his transgressions which he committed against the Lord, even against the Word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking … of … a familiar spirit, to inquire thereof, and he inquired not of the Lord” — this low-lying epitaph, a beacon of warning set up aloft to all time.

The timing is perfect. I know a “Saul” whose efforts are commendable, yet she often takes credit that belongs to the Lord and praises Him for her mistakes. When she relates what happened, it is clear she acts first without consulting Him then shares how she is helping Him rather than the other way around.

Spence speaks of how Saul presumes he is doing the Lord’s work without seeking His way or waiting for His instruction to obey. Only by God's grace does that ‘method’ work for those of us who presume our way is God's way. He keeps bailing us out.

For Saul, this behavior eventually put him into a frame of mind that he was better off dead than being mistreated by his enemies. Instead of realizing and repenting of his lack of faith, in despair he took his own life, a final act of God-playing. 

While I cannot know the motivations of anyone’s heart, I’ve taken the glory when God did the deed. I’ve also gone ahead without consulting Him. I recognize when others do it for I have done it. However, God is gracious and teaches me, usually by failure, that what I am doing is not acceptable. Not only must I seek His will rather than assume it, I must also never take credit when He uses my folly for good. That is a comfort and His glory, not a brag for my boasting, nor a reason to keep up any God-playing.

Lord Jesus, forgive me and all who know You for acting like Saul with the assumption we know what You want without speaking to You and act according to our own grand ideas as if they came from You when they really were a way of glorify ourselves. Stop all slides into self-effort that masquerades as following You.