In God’s hands

 

For the past few weeks, I’ve been caught up in what I thought God was doing and glorying in it, then found out I was wrong. Even if God was doing something, I was trying to share in His glory. Today, I read this:

A great concert violinist wanted to prove a point. He rented a music hall and announced that he would play a concert on a $20,000 violin. That night, the music hall was filled with music lovers, all anxious to hear this expensive instrument. The violinist gave an exquisite performance and received a thunderous standing ovation. When the applause subsided, he threw the violin to the floor, stomped it to pieces, and walked off the stage. The audience gasped, then sat in stunned silence.

Within seconds the stage manager approached the microphone and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, to put you at ease, the violin that was just destroyed was a $20 violin. The master will now return to play the remainder of his concert on the $20,000 instrument.” At the conclusion of his concert, he received another standing ovation. Few people could tell the difference between the two violins. His point was obvious: it isn’t the violin that makes the music; it’s the violinist.

It is bad enough to feel like a $20 violin but worse to realize that my performance can be mere noise. This isn’t about God using me to make music, but about me trying to do it without reading the notes. This is not to say that God is unable to use weak and useless people, but to remember He does it — I don’t. And it is for His glory, not mine. And my attitude is supposed to be like His:

Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. (John 8:50)

Jesus gives clear instructions about His ability and mine . . .

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing . . . . If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:1–8)

Jesus said that seeking my own glory indicates I am speaking on my own authority, not His (John 7:18) and that He did not receive glory from people (John 5:41). He also warned:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)

No wonder the Master stomped on my violin. Regardless of my worth, I can do nothing without Him and He longs to reward me for doing right. Robbing Him of glory is foolhardy.

PRAY: Jesus, I am thankful You promise to complete what You have begun in me. I’m also thankful that You forgive what I confess. It is okay to be joyful when I see You at work, but how foolish to take glory for myself in what You are doing. The difference may be subtle, even invisible to others, yet You make me aware of my selfishness. Grant me grace to be more and more alert to the times my old nature is tempted to push Your Spirit out so I can pat myself on the back. Instead, enable me to honor You — for You alone are worthy.

READ: 1 Timothy 1:12–17. What truths did Paul keep in mind as He served God?

 

 

His idol was silver . . .

 

Depending on the employment and where the work is done, a month’s salary can range from minimum wage to much higher. The average wage in the city where I live is $5000 per month, with entry levels lower and experienced workers making at least $10,000 per month.

Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. That may not seem a huge amount, but for that time it was about four months wages, and a great deal of money indeed. Interesting that a simple Internet search shows the price of a hit man is about the same amount.

What is God saying to me with this information? It isn’t about the love of money. I might feel differently if I didn’t have any, but probably not. Way back more than fifty years ago, I was very poor when God taught me to trust Him regarding my finances. I had a bill for $100 and could barely buy groceries, never mind come up with the funds to pay it. I prayed. Then an order for a dog portrait came in the mail from someone I had never met. She sent me $105 in advance — enough to pay that bill and buy a canvas to paint a picture on of her dog.

I’ve never felt a need to do anything other than honest work and trusting God to take care of my finances. For this reason, greed for money has not been a problem for me. I love the saying, “Some people are so poor; all they have is money.”

However, I see what greed does for others. Some become workaholics or thieves. Some abandon care of their families trying to get rich. Some gamble for the same reason. On an emotional level, greed comes with stress, fatigue, worry, depression, and despair. It sidetracks the soul from trusting God to making an idol that can ruin their lives, even to making a Judas out of them.

Imagine walking with Jesus for three years and putting money ahead of His Messiah’s life. But that thought stops me. It may not be money, but what do I prioritize? What is more important to me than honoring and obeying God?

There are so many things that clamor for attention and devotion: jobs, kids, spouses, hobbies—the demands and distractions of life. Putting God first is the first Commandment:

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God . . . . (Deuteronomy 5:8–9)

The list could be long. I could ‘worship’ my feelings if I allow them to control me. Or my family, or my church, or friends, or human ‘wisdom’ instead of trusting God, but He says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5–7)

Faith in Christ is a gift. Gifts are never meant to be hidden on a shelf or as Jesus said, put under a bushel. Fear of rejection could be an idol that takes precedence over telling others about Him.

I’m also to honor Him with my wealth, appreciate His discipline, and seek His wisdom. To live any other way means trusting something other than Him and that is as much idolatry and greed as seeking gold and silver rather than God. Of all the folly ascribed to Judas, his root problem was not giving Jesus first place in his heart.

PRAY: The ability to put You first, Jesus, is learned. From infancy, I bawled to get my way. As legitimate as eating, drinking, and being dry might be, I was not thinking about You. How much of my day is involved in doing things and talking about personal interests and selfish stuff without You being my priority? Yet You are so patient. You called Judas “friend” yet also said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14) You endured the pain of betrayal and never stopped loving this one who did far worse than mere disobedience. I’m humbled that my sin does not ruin or block Your incredible love. How could I every want anything more than You? But at times, I have . . . and You always forgive and restore me. Thank You.

THOTS: Greg Beale wrote “We Become What We Worship” and says: “What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” How can my focus change my life?