Be still. . . .

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–3, 10–11)

As I read this, the upstairs television features a podcast with a few people discussing world events with strong opinions of what is happening and how to fix it. They are anxious and worried. 

Downstairs my Bible features a song of faith that initially fixes the fear then gives solutions such as: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” (Vs. 4–5)
He can do this because He is “the Lord of hosts” and “with us” and “our fortress.” “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.” (Vs. 9)

On a Sunday morning, the sun is shining, trees leaf out, birds sing. They know nothing of the wars and struggles or the major problems that plague the human mind. The cosmos, even the sparrows and trees thrive in the care of their Maker. They know how to be still in the knowledge of God. And we humans are supposed to be made in His image and rated as the highest in His creation?

What fools we are to create strife and problems because of our own selfishness and then argue and even scream at each other trying to fix it, still with our own selfish ideas and goals. Instead of being still and trusting God.

Lord Jesus, we need a revival of renewed faith, of awareness and conviction of such sinfulness, of repentance that is deeply serious and able to be still and know You, the One who can make all things right and at peace. Visit us and be exalted in this twisted up place called earth.

 

The Beauty of the Lord

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him. (Psalm 45:1–11)

There are times when the beauty of Jesus Christ overwhelms me. Yesterday, He asked me to do something I thought was worthless. I obeyed and after realized His wisdom, even seeing a tiny bit of how He uses things that we do not understand to forward His plan and make His will known.

This psalm begins by describing the writer’s heart, the the beauty of the Groom in His relationship to the world and to His bride, the people joined to Him. We are made lovely because of that relationship, and as our Lord, we bow to Him.

Like a marriage is supposed to be, all other loves are forgotten as having any priority in my life. Yesterday I had other plans, but for my Jesus, had to abandon them to do as He asked. It was not ‘lovely’ in my mind, but when obedience happens, the Holy Spirit is there making it happen, and it is this that makes my life beautiful to my Lord. It is also a motivation to bow to Him even more.

Jesus, the joy You give not only blesses me, it reveals You, Your grace, charm, splendor and majesty. While this psalmist use the word ‘handsome’ he was not defining personal appearance but Your perfection. There is no one like You, the perfect love and lover of my soul. I bow again to You. May I “cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will will praise You forever and ever.” (Vs. 12)

 

Hard Choices?

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:5–11)

Since we moved (about 1 1/2 years ago) few days have been ‘normal’ in the sense that my to-do list was simple, no surprises, and early to bed. Today is no different except that the interruption to my plans happened before spending time with the Lord and being prepared for ‘whatever happens’ since it always does.

Reading the above verses describes a bit of how I feel, as if oppressed by the unexpected, but this psalm also gives the solution to this sense of being abandoned. This is a test of faith. Will I trust Him with this too, and give up my priorities even as I feel neglected and trade those important things for what seems like trivia?

Last night I dreamed being called out of a worship service to speak to an elderly man in distress. He seemed to be dying so I asked him if he was ready for that. He said no, so I quickly told him about Jesus, then walked away, as if that was enough. When awake, I could see the selfishness of my attitude in that dream.

Then when awake, someone asked me to do something and that same selfishness popped up. I felt cast down at needing to do an unimportant thing (to me) for the sake of someone else.

The solution: Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Sometimes hope is a choice. Praise is an obedience, and salvation seems a disconnect. Yet this is the Word of God for today. I must obey it even without seeing any reason or feeling any hope about the value of obeying.

Jesus, I need the hope You give. I have none of my own. You promise to use all things for my good. May this also be good for the person who asked me to give up my plans and do something so unimportant to me.

Pattern for Christian Growth

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah, I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:5–11)

This is a summary of the Christian life. It begins with an awareness of sin and failure, and with the Lord coming with forgiveness and giving great joy. It continues with repetition — sin exposed, forgiveness and cleansing, then great joy. 

This is not about being saved over and over, but being made clean, measuring up to the what He has already done. The sin He brings to my attention might be a current disobedience, or it might be a life-attitude that needs to go because it is hindering me from being like Jesus. Whatever the Holy Spirit reveals, I must acknowledge lest it continues to mess with this wonderful new life in Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)

 After discovering this pattern, I’ve long been convinced that this is God's way of transforming my life and the more I cooperate, the closer He seems.

Jesus. Thank You for being my Redeemer, for working on and in my life, for granting me the privilege of being Your forever child, and granting great joy even in the tough times. You are indeed all I need. 

Older but not helpless

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. . . . Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. (Psalm 25:8–18) 

Last week a friend and I discussed the perils of getting older. We agreed that we do not appreciate any assumptions that we are helpless by those who do it and take over our chores or help without asked if we need help. It isn’t so much about pride in what we can do. We just do not want to be pushed into being helpless when God has blessed us with the ability to do things… such as stepping off a curb without falling, or making supper without burning it, or getting up off a chair without some giving us a hand up. My friend had a few more examples and remarked, “I’m not there yet.”

I recall my aging mother struggling with being helped. Her story is a bit different. She is a ‘server’ and always felt she should help others. However, she had a form of dementia that robbed her of being able to help herself, never mind others. When I told her she could help them by letting them help her, she agreed and was okay with that.

I am not much of a server and love help with what I cannot do. My hubby takes care of making our king-sized bed. He vacuums the floors and moves heavy things. He also helps in the kitchen by reaching the tall shelves and cleaning areas I cannot reach.

Some say God helps those who help themselves. Not according to Psalm 25 which says He helps those who are humble and obedient. He forgives our sin. He is gracious to those who are lonely and afflicted, distressed of heart and in trouble.

Maybe I need to take my own advice. Perhaps those who ‘assume’ I need help are servers who feel they must help others and I (and my gray hair) just happen to be handy. By letting them help me, I am helping them use their gifts, even if it makes me feel I am being put out to pasture. The psalmist understood this:

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! (Psalm 71:9–12)
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age… (Psalm 92:12–14)

The word “retirement” is not in the Bible. ‘Tired’ is — usually associated with sickness. God does not intend me to put up my feet and let others do what He tells me to do. It might be to encourage others, but it seems vital to note any personal pronouns in His commands.

Jesus, help me to be gracious to those who are unable to understand that helping sometimes means not helping. You obeyed the Father without passing the task to anyone else. I want to do the same.

God uses dreams… or not…

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:7–11)

Last night a woman from Africa described how her culture sees God in all of life’s events and also is aware of how evil spirits try to ruin them. She also said that God often speaks to His people in dreams.

Most who heard her didn’t seem convinced. One mentioned superstitions. However, years ago the man involved in outdoor theater productions, specifically The Passion Play, shared that God gave him many ideas for his work through dreams. Those who heard him were also skeptical.

I’m not. God has encouraged me in dreams and often gives me ideas and answers to problems in my dreams, answers that do not have a chapter and verse that specifically tell me what to do.

Therefore, I did a word search this morning. Yes, God uses dreams to speak to His people, even to those who are not believers. Most of it is in the OT for those without the Scriptures. Some of it is encouragement. Some is warnings, including warnings to not listen to those with false dreams. Some verses say that only God can interpret dreams. This means I must be really careful not to assume that every dream is God telling me something. It could be a product of wishful thinking, or simply being too busy.

For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. (Ecclesiastes 5:3) 
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:28)

Warnings: 

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” (Genesis 20:3)
For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, (Jeremiah 29:8)
For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. (Zechariah 10:2)

Instructions:

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. (Genesis 41:25)
As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” (Judges 7:15)
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:12-13)

Answers prayer (or not):

And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. (1 Samuel 28:6)

Predicts future:

Then (Joseph) dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” (Genesis 37:9)
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. (Joel 2:28)

Again, discernment is vital. My “I wants” could seem fulfilled in a dream or are revealed for confession. My dad said dreams can depend on what he had for supper. 

Too much focus on spiritual enemies can have them talking to me in my sleep. If what I dream is contrary to the instruction or I hold attitudes contrary to Scripture, confession is needed. “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” (Jude 8)

Lord Jesus, when a dream seems to be You speaking, grant me insight. What I hear needs to fit with who You are and with how Your Word tells me what to focus on and obey. Otherwise, something else is playing with my thinking.

God Laughs…

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:1–12)

When world leaders get together for their summit meetings, there may be some who say in their heart, if not aloud, “We don’t need God or any of his people. . . . we can deal with the problems ourselves.” Whether it comes in  words or mere thoughts, this is a joke in the holy mind of God.

Nothing is said about how the psalm writer knew this about God. All I can imagine is that the Holy Spirit filled him and he laughed himself at the plans of those rulers. Since this is not a normal response to their their threats and behavior, the psalmist realized such a response came from the heart of the Lord. He knew from the revelation of God what God is like and his trust was so deep that the threats made by mere men were simply silly.

My husband often insisted that our children should never imagine “what if” about much of anything. As an adult, I can now see how that thought can easily slip from creative ideas to worry about what will happen. We hear the news and speculate. “What if this happens?” And wander into depression as if our fears are certain possibilities. However, the Holy Spirit lives in me. If He can laugh at the worst our enemies can plot, then I ought to laugh too.

The wife of a pastor who suffered a great deal of depression dressed one day in black. He asked her if someone had died. She said, “Yes, God died.” He said that was preposterous. She replied, “Then why do you act all the time as if He did?”

I’ve been what-if-ing for a few days, imagining that God doesn’t care and will not or cannot do anything about a certain issue. I imagined Him laughing at the foolishness of my request, but now am remembering to hear Him laughing at the problem. It is not a matter of ‘what if’ — but of ‘when’ and ‘be patient’ and even laugh with Him.

Jesus, ‘what if’ and “doubt” go hand-in-hand. Forgive me. I may not hear You laughing but I can read Your promises and trust You to take care of all my ‘what ifs’ and imaginations.

 

Living in an ungodly world?

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1–6)

This passage uses the term ‘wicked’ but some think it should be ‘ungodly’ as that fits the idea of those who are lost, not just those who do extremely immoral deeds. This is the OT definition of ungodly:

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)

Those who turn to their own way could be morally evil and what we might call wicked, yet they could be ordinary folks who appear to be ‘nice’ people but are not even interested in God, the Bible, or in the way the Lord wants us to live.

A close relative belongs to a religious group that goes door to door with their version of the gospel. He tells me that he talks to many people who are unaware of the Bible or know anything about it. The above psalm describes these as people who will not stand when judged by God or be acceptable in the congregation of God's redeemed people.

No one aces this test. Everyone experiences self-rule at times, but those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are not only aware of this way of life, we spend most of our walk in faith trying to overcome it. For some, that old self is totally disgusting. For others, pride, false teaching, desires for prosperity and a life of comfort lure them into a false representation of godliness. 

But God knows the way of the righteous, as well as the hearts of those who think they are ‘good enough’ to stand before Him, or who don’t really care what God thinks, or even if there is a God who cares.

We wonder about the state of the world and the daily stories on the news. They remind me of an often repeated OT verse: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6) Is it also true now that  even with the leaders we have in political and religious realms, most people do what seems right in their own eyes? Knowing the selfishness of my old nature compared to the godliness God desires, this is surely a sad state of affairs. 

Lord, has the time come where You will allow the world to learn the hard way that You are to be feared? We see odd and even terrifying human behavior, but also strange weather patterns and worrisome trends in nearly every realm of life, as if grace and mercy have faded and the judgment of consequences rules. I know that You know what You are doing, yet it is not putting joy in my heart to watch this happen. 

 

Confession changes things…

Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:1–8)

Job is rebuked for not realizing his ignorance of God's power. God reveals what this righteous man needs to know and he repents. The friends are rebuked for speaking error and after Job intercedes for them, they make the necessary sacrifice for their sin. Then the story ends with this:

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job’s daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days. (Job 42:10–17)

When I feel sorry for myself, I read Job. If I have sinned, God shows me and when I confess, He takes away my ‘stinkin’ thinkin’ ’ and restores sane, joyful thoughts. This is the marvel of obedience and the truth that selfishness makes me miserable.

Lord God, I thank You for Your Word and the power of Your Holy Spirit to reveal truth and forgive foolishness. Thank You for Job and his story. I’m sure everyone can identify with him, perhaps not to the degree of his suffering but certainly to the degree of his perplexity and the pain of being misunderstood by others who mean well but have missed the cause of  their problems. I love You, Lord. 

 

One source of genuine wisdom

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’ (Job 32:6–10)

While all of Job’s comforters say true things, most of it is partial and misses what is actually happening to this man. He is a test subject in the spiritual realm and they cannot see what is going on. This does not mean all they say is nonsense, only that their observations and opinions do not apply to Job’s situation.

At the same time, I’m thinking two things. My dad used to say, “There is no fool like an old fool” with several people in our community to prove his point. I also thought of  the wise words from youth. One example: Christmas shopping was a hassle and the store full of rushing shoppers. At the till I complained of all the hurrying and my young daughter said, “But mom, we don’t have to hurry on the inside.”

Kids can be wise. Knowing the Word of God is not just for the mature. However, at that all wisdom comes from God. Besides, the older I get, the more I realize how much I do not know. As for Elihu, he went on:

“Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world? If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. (Job 34:10–15)

He may not have understood the what and why of Job’s situation, but he did know that God knew, and that God was not being evil or doing the wrong thing. Whatever was happening, the Lord was righteous and had good in mind for this man.

The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” (Job 37:23–24)

In the last few months, I’ve realized how often I assume - assuming that other people are thinking like I think, or assuming that we are on the same page regarding our interpretations of life events. This is motivating me to listen more, ask questions, seek to understand. Even though Job tried, his friends had their assumptions and his explanations fell on deaf ears. At the same time, this narrative reveals my flaws in thinking I know why others suffer. 

Lord Jesus, sometimes You help me really see what is going on when suffering happens, yet most of the time, I miss it. Help me avoid assuming and giving my opinion when I need to listen more (two ears) and shut up (one mouth).

When God’s people suffer…

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season. Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.” (Job 5:17–27)

Job’s friends tried to justify his suffering by telling him that God allowed all his troubles as discipline for wrong-doing, and that those who please Him will live without problems. This is a typical conclusion for many Christians who have never suffered very much. We tend to think that God is blessing us because our good behavior has earned it. Therefore the opposite must be true and we deserve those problems.

It is true that God does bless the lives of those who obey Him, but He also uses trials to make us grow. Trials are not always punishment, as the book of Job reveals in its beginning. Satan said Job would never trust God if God didn’t play nice with Him, therefore God allowed Satan to bring tragedies to this man’s life to prove that faith in Him was more powerful than anything that threatened it.

In other words, some of what we suffer is not chastening or correction. It might be a test, or it might be an attack to win our hearts to the enemy’s lies. In such cases, pretending ‘all is well’ would be a lie. The struggle with those lies reinforced by tragedy upon tragedy is very real. Job didn’t know this was a contest for his affection and trust. All he knew was the pain of his losses and the agony of his body. He refused to be a hypocrite when asked how he was doing by glibly replying “Fine” when his world had fallen apart. He told the truth about his feelings:

Then Job answered and said: “Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. (Job 6:1–4)

Yet in his suffering, his heart knew the truth. Even as he struggled with pain and loss, he was still able to say, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10) Eventually God bailed him out. 

I know a tiny bit of that journey. Some days are simply rotten and I want to die. It might be physical pain or a horrid sense of despair without reason. And I say, “God, if this has purpose for my good and Your glory, so be it. If not, You know what to do.” At that, the situation usually goes away, making it a much condensed version of what happened to Job. And the test to see if I will trust God even in a trial is over, even quickly forgotten.

This is the nature of spiritual war. The battles usually happen right after a vital obedience, yet as He promises, God uses even this stuff for my good. 

Jesus, life with You is an adventure. I have days of struggles, surprises, unexpected events, and test after test. You have blessed me with energy for much of it, long naps when needed, and joy even in the messy parts. Abundant life? Sometimes I want ‘ordinary’ or ‘normal’ but realize that is not the promise that goes with walking with You.

 

Remember…

So the Jews accepted what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur (that is, cast lots), to crush and to destroy them. But when it came before the king, he gave orders in writing that his evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore they called these days Purim, after the term Pur. Therefore, because of all that was written in this letter, and of what they had faced in this matter, and of what had happened to them, the Jews firmly obligated themselves and their offspring and all who joined them, that without fail they would keep these two days according to what was written and at the time appointed every year, that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, in every clan, province, and city, and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews, nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants. (Esther 9:23–28)

Haman wanted all Jews destroyed, particularly Mordecai who had gained favor with the king. Esther exposed this man’s treachery, and the king came up with plan B and allowed the Jews to defend themselves on the two days they would be attacked. And they did. Haman was hanged and these two days became special and to be celebrated. 

This happened centuries ago yet Jewish people celebrate Purim today as a joyous festival on 14th of Adar (March 2–3, this year). They celebrate the survival of their ancestry with reading the Book of Esther, giving to charity, exchanging food gifts, and eating special food.

The story from the OT is an exciting read. I’m also intrigued that the two days of Purim have not been forgotten. This event shows how God takes care of His people in surprising ways, not only the Jews against the anti-Semitism of those days, but His people from every tribe and culture. 

It also stresses the importance of remembering the way God works in history by not  explicitly mentioning God. He works behind the scenes and in natural events. Some families play “I spy God” to remind them that He is always near, always involved in their  lives and that a major aspect of faith is believing what He says even though we cannot see Him.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1–3)

The Bible says “Faith comes by hearing” and this also is not necessarily audible. His Spirit speaks to our spirit and when we ‘hear’ God, we know it is Him.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

That voice is to be remembered. He tells me to remember the Sabbath, remember His covenants and commandments, remember His power and promises, and how I was a slave to sin but am now His servant, remembering His goodness and that He gives me all I need. My prayer is the same as this psalm:

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:3–8)

 

Two Vital Confessions

Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. . . . And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God. . . .  
“Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. . . .  And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous. And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land. . . .  And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths. . . .  and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments. . . . But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them. . . .  but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. . . . 

The prayer goes on, praising God for His care and confessing the many times of blessing as well as, “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. But after they had rest they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies.”

God warned them many times in many years, “Yet they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love. . . . Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.” (Nehemiah 9:1–38)

The prayer confesses the goodness of God along with the sins of the people. Why do that? My sins can depress me to the point of feeling abandoned and hopeless. The wonder of God's faithful forgiveness brings balance to the equation. If confess my sin but fail to confess Him, depression and discouragement set in, putting focus on me rather than where it should be.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

Not only a mind at rest, putting my focus on God makes my ears more apt to listen and my heart more ready to obey.

Jesus, this world is filled with distractions. Some of them seem harmless, the chores of each day and and other responsibilities. Yet I notice that if my mind drifts aways, so also do my abilities to obey You. Praising You and thinking of You makes a difference in my ability to thread a needle, put away dishes, follow a recipe. That prayer had it right — confessing all sin and weakness is good, yet confessing Your goodness and power is vital to help me live for You.

 

 

God's Word on mixed marriages

After these things had been done, the officials approached me (Ezra) and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” (Ezra 9:1-2)

As soon as Ezra heard this, he was deeply appalled as were all who were faithful to God's Word. They confessed their guilt and were ashamed because God had told them “The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land impure with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.”

Intermarriage may not seem an important issue these days, but I have noticed several couples where the man is a Christian and the wife is not. Some men confess that they will do anything to avoid conflict with their wife, thus they stop going to church and soon live according to her value system rather than following Jesus. It seems easier for a Christian wife to influence her unbelieving spouse than the other way around. (See 1 Peter 3:1-7)

Perhaps this is a reflection of what happened in Eden when Eve was able to influence Adam to eat the forbidden fruit with her. In any case, God backed up the danger of marrying someone without faith.

Ezra took this very seriously and made a serious decisions: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” 

He made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath and he withdrew from the house of God and did not eat or drink while in mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles. 

Then a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem, and that if anyone did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation. 

All the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days  and sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. Ezra told them what to do and all but two men opposed it. The rest enumerated those guilty and did as told. (Ezra 9:1–10:17)

In the NT, this decision is overruled by grace and respect for the sanctity of marriage. Paul wrote:

To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:12–16)

Living according to this requires complete reliance on the Lord rather than the usual “we are not compatible” choice that results in divorce. Human selfishness ruins many relationships. Obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit is the only way to bring the peace of God into the marriage.

Jesus, I am so grateful that You give the power to make a difference in a relationship so that two opposites can agree on faith matters plus many other issues. I’m thankful for Your grace that takes me from “I want my own way” to wanting Your way and discovering it is the only way that brings peace and harmony!

Spiritual war illustrated…

“. . . .  And now be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king’s dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River.” 
The king sent an answer: . . . . “I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?” 
. . . .  Then, when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4:8–24)

This very real story describes a strategy used by the enemies of God's people to stop the work of rebuilding what they wanted destroyed, their holy city of Jerusalem. It illustrates also the work of evil forces against God’s work of building His holy kingdom as described in the NT. These evil forces use lies and accusations to those who do the work in order to put a stop to it.

Lies are one thing and they discourage those who serve the Lord in the task. However, accusations can be true. Those who love the Lord do make mistakes. God forgives our errors and even uses them to graciously change our lives, but the enemy is quick to point to the errors and hides the wondrous ways God uses them for good.  

The above story did not end there. When Darius became king, he wrote this:
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: “Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices were offered, and let its foundations be retained. . . . Its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits, with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God. . . . . Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. And whatever is needed— bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require — let that be given to them day by day without fail, that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons. Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.” (Ezra 6:3–12)

No matter how the kingdom is attacked, Lord, You win. You can turn the hearts of kings and as You said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” AMEN!


 

Do not harden your hearts!

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel. All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. And they polluted the house of the Lord that he had made holy in Jerusalem. The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy. Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand. And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king and of his princes, all these he brought to Babylon. And they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its precious vessels. He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years. (2 Chronicles 36:11–21)

I am beginning to feel like a prophet. It seems easy yet if true, if I broadcast my thoughts, most people would turn away. No one wants to hear anything that says, “Smarten up or face the consequences.”

Jesus died to give me new life, His life. He changed the world, but He had to be crucified to do it. Christian martyrs at formal count now average just over a dozen a day. It could be higher, and it could happen here as faith in Christ is increasingly mocked.

What is worse than being persecuted for my faith? How about falling into the hands of Almighty God for not living my faith? While He is merciful and gracious, He gave me this new life that I ought to live it. Christians are not to assume that grace means we can do whatever we want. God says to us:

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:25–29)

At the same time, Jesus is also for me, willing to enable me to obey Him, even though it costs me time, money, and other sacrifices. If I refuse I will not lose my salvation, but eternal rewards. If I obey, I could be persecuted, even suffer death, but Christians cannot die — we only change our address!

Jesus, life here is unpredictable; however, the OT reveals what can be lost if I disobey You and the NT shows what is mine because You died for me. My obedience can be a powerful tool in Your hands. Even if it isn’t, enable me to willingly do what You say and deeply desire that You are honored and obeyed by others.

Whatever it takes…

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon. And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. (2 Chronicles 33:10–13)

Yesterday two Christian friends complained they had no patience. I said, “The Bible says we get patience through tribulation so we spend much of our lives trying to avoid trials and then complain we have no patience.” Both of them laughed at that truth.

Manasseh and his people didn’t pay attention to God so he put him in bondage and distress — tribulation. He humbled himself and confessed as Hezekiah had done before him (2 Chronicles 32:6) and he was restored. Even more, he knew God.

Much of my grumbling is the result of forgetting who God is, and forgetting that He wants the best for me. If a trial comes, I want to fix I, revealing that my doubt and impatience are based on forgetting that He is for me, not against me, even in trials.

Another friend was complaining about her lot in life. She always complains. She fails to see how God can use all things that happen to her for her good. Also, she doesn’t realize that if she, and all of us, got what we deserved for our sin and self-centeredness, our lives would be far worse.

A small thing happened this morning. I wanted to be here in the word before a certain time, and was just about to do that when someone interrupted my plan and we looked for a lost item for several minutes. Patience required. I missed my self-imposed deadline. Since I believe God is in the details and has reasons for every trial, big or small, it is not a surprise to be reminded to listen, do what He says, don’t grumble about not getting my i-wants, and to be glad to have a tiny patience-builder. It could have been much greater. 

This is why this blog is called “Practical Faith.” Trusting God is for everyday events. He wants me to stay calm with too many emails, the phone ringing when I am in the shower, and all other interruptions seen as opportunities, and seeing bigger stuff like bad news on the telly or government leaders making what looks like big mistakes is part of His plan.

Manasseh experienced the reality that God is in charge. If this man would not listen, God knew how to get his attention and even how to change his life. It was through an extreme trial and answered prayer that he knew that the Lord was God.

Jesus, You walk with me every day and in every circumstance. You want me to be like You and as I study Your word and experience Your kindness and answers to my prayers, both big and small, You show me over and over that You are God and You are making my faith in You practical for all of life. What a wonder each day to know You deeper!  

 

Wrath withheld?

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and he answered him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 32:24–26)

This portion of history I would like to see repeated. This attitude of a leader being blessed by God but not responding with humility happens, and pride of heart is making mockery of what God has done. Will the wrath of the Lord happen these days? Or will God treat today’s pride-filled leaders with mercy and test them with continued success? He did that with Hezekiah.

And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels; storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. He likewise provided cities for himself, and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions. This same Hezekiah closed the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. (2 Chronicles 32:27–31)

It seems the world is slowly falling apart. For some time, the damages are “out there” and far from us, yet they creep closer. A news item this morning shows me I do not live in a safe little corner. 

Example: A local gas station did damage to several automobiles by filling their customer’s tanks with half gasoline, half water. Deliberate or accidental is not known but it made me feel as if I found a dead mouse in my cereal box.

Hezekiah reminds me that the people of God have a huge responsibility to obey God. Our actions, or lack thereof, affect the world we live in. A half-holy life might keep individuals from seeing the consequences, but the next generation may suffer because of God’s wrath on the sin of this generation.

Hezekiah’s son Manasseh reigned next, started out well, then led the people astray. He finally repented but his son took his place and. . . .   

Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as Manasseh his father had done. Amon sacrificed to all the images that Manasseh his father had made, and served them. And he did not humble himself before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself, but this Amon incurred guilt more and more. And his servants conspired against him and put him to death in his house. But the people of the land struck down all those who had conspired against King Amon. And the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his place. (2 Chronicles 33:21–25)

The conflict and sorrow caused by those who served in a half and half way affected many. The word therefore fails to fully describe the results, especially on the masses who lived under their leadership. 

Jesus, You know all things. Your goodness can be experienced even when those who rule politically waffle from mocking evil to being evil. Do we have any idea what true justice would do to the populations who suffer? Are You using the evils in this world to bring some to their knees before You? Trust without seeing Your plan is challenging many. Keep my focus on You and on the promises of what You are and what You will do to make all the world bow before You. 

Importance of Short Accounts

And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly. They set to work and removed the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for burning incense they took away and threw into the brook Kidron. And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, so that they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the Lord. They took their accustomed posts according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests threw the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites. For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the Lord. For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord. And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their fathers. (2 Chronicles 30:13–22)

This passage brings a few thoughts. First, although Hezekiah prayed that God would pardon those not in right relationship with Him, their forgiveness was based on the blood of the Passover Lamb. Before that could happen, confession and repentance was vital. This is also true for those who follow Jesus.

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. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 1:8–2:1)

God sent His Son that I might have constant fellowship with Him. Sin is the only way that fellowship takes a turn. Instead of blessing me with continual direction and filling me with the Spirit, He speaks to me about my own life and what needs to change. We experience this “fellowship” as trials, yet often miss their purpose. One is to drive me into greater trust and teach me patience, yet often those trials are showing me where I have been trying to run my own life — which is sin (See Isaiah 53:6) and that needs to be acknowledged (confessed) and turned from to restore the fullness of what that fellowship should be. 

Without keeping short accounts, life can be so filled with challenges that my focus easily turns to fixing or overcoming the problems rather than seeking God’s will. In other words, I turn it into a DIY project rather than confessing my sin and repenting.

No, there is no lamb-slaughtering involved, just returning to the One who already died for me. Forgiveness is secured, but confession and repentance are part of walking with Him and not letting that sin nature act as if it still alive and important.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6–7)

One other thought: we tend to focus on the importance of confession and repentance at special times such as Lent or during the Lord’s Supper or Communion, yet this should be done whenever the fruit of the Spirit goes missing. If I am not filled with love, peace, joy and the other evidences of Him ruling my life, then I need to find and deal with sin of some sort.

Jesus, walking in the light is just that — knowing what You give me and want for me, knowing the next step, being thankful, caring about Your will and Your world. Thank You that keeping short accounts is the key to spiritual growth and dealing with the trials that expose my need for You to forgive and cleanse my sin.

OT discipline vs. NT discipline

Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done, but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals, and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. Therefore the Lord his God gave him into the hand of the king of Syria, who defeated him and took captive a great number of his people and brought them to Damascus. He was also given into the hand of the king of Israel, who struck him with great force. For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed 120,000 from Judah in one day, all of them men of valor, because they had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son and Azrikam the commander of the palace and Elkanah the next in authority to the king. The men of Israel took captive 200,000 of their relatives, women, sons, and daughters. They also took much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria. (2 Chronicles 28:1–8)

Since then, the people who claim to follow Jesus Christ do not always do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. I sometimes am motivated by selfish desires as do others. We make an idol out of paper bills, silver and gold. Our children are ignored just as those who do not know God often put their family low on their priority list. Goodness is motivated by the hope of personal gain.

Therefore, God disciplines us too. He foils those worldly desires, prevents our idols from satisfying our hearts, allows good or harmful consequences to our families, and blocks the personal gain from our bucket lists. We may not wind up in captivity and be physically abused, but nevertheless given up to the forces of evil that rob our love, peace, joy and other spiritual fruit, replacing it with ruined relationships, worry, unrest and lack of concern for anyone else, even those we would normally care about. All of this is to wake us up to our need to rely on and obey the Lord.

The Lord may use others to confront us, such as Hezekiah who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord; 

“Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves and the house of the Lord. . . . carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs. . . . Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror. . . . our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord. . . . that his fierce anger may turn away from us. My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.” (2 Chronicles 29:1–11)

As the NT also says, we are to hold to our faith and a good conscience. Otherwise we are in danger of a similar discipline of being held captive by our enemy. 

By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom (Paul) handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:19–20)
When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 5:4–5)

Such discipline is extreme, even shocking. However, God will work in ways to free us from all sin, willful or committed in ignorance.

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? . . . . He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (Hebrews 12:6–10)

Oh Lord, my parents didn’t discipline me very much, but You have and I am aware of its value, both times of mild rebuke and times I felt a strong kick in my stubborn and selfish attitudes and actions. Without You, I shudder thinking where I would otherwise be.

 

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.