God supplies — trust Him!

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25–34)

Fifty plus years ago, Jesus came into my life and one of the first lessons He taught me was that He would meet my needs. I was newly divorced, had no job or hope for one, lived on a farm with my two children, and my ex neglected financial support even for them. I did custom knitting with a machine and painted animal portraits, selling these to buy groceries. That first summer my propane tank rental came due and I did not have the $100 it would cost to heat our home for the winter.

God stepped in. I received a letter from someone in another province. I didn’t know her, or how she got my name. She included a photo of her dog and wanted me to paint its portrait. She also paid in advance — $105, enough to cover postage to send the painting back to her.

God made it plain. If He was at the top of my priority list, I didn’t need to worry about having what I needed. Since then, He has repeatedly kept His Word and taken care of all physical needs. I have a full fridge, a full closet, and lots of clean water, without anxiety about any of such things.

Lord, even when I’ve felt needy about other things, You have taken care of those physical needs too, as proof that You will cover all needs. I just need to trust You. People have told me this does not mean sitting on my backside and waiting for cash to come floating down. How silly. But You honor faith, often with surprises that go above and beyond my expectations. May all Your children know that Your love covers needs and sometimes even wants. Truly I am blessed and sometimes call myself ‘God's spoiled brat’ because of Your mercy.

 

Love is a verb…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48)

What does Jesus want when He tells me this? Do I simply greet these enemies with a smile, nothing more? I’ve been “loved” like this by clerks in a store. Love is far more than being nice. As He says, anyone can do that and yet inwardly not care about my well-being at all. That is not love. Jesus describes a different attitude:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38–42)

I read of a soldier whose girl friend wrote asking for her photo returned as she had found someone else. He was hurt and angry so he asked the guys in his barracks for any photos they might have of ex-girl friends. He sent all of them to her with a note that said, “I don’t remember which one is yours, so keep it and return the rest.”

Not funny. No love. Revenge is easy. Just ignore the person, or talk about them behind their back. Get even. Blah, blah blah.

Love is going above and beyond. It is not even doing what I think they might want, but doing what they do want and more. It is giving generously to their needs. Think of God's love. He poured out His life to love me. Saying the words is lovely but dying on a cross for me? That is love.
I might never experience an enemy whose life depends on my sacrifice, but I know that my life is not to be the selfishness of getting even or ignoring those who hurt me or treat me badly. It is being like Jesus even if their rejection continues. 

This is a level of maturity and a test that is most challenging. Feeling appreciated and accepted is a human need. When denied, hopelessness easily moves in as a most unwelcome guest. Turning to love those who are thoughtless toward me is hard enough. As the OT prophet asks: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5) He implies that if I cannot do this with petty incidents that hurt my feelings, how can I perfectly love those who are far more unkind or who persecute me?

Jesus makes this a standard for all kind of obedience. He says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10–11)

Even an exercise program or any kind of study and instruction will begin with the basics. God is like that in training me to be like Jesus. He uses all things toward that end. And I complain? Shame on me.

Oh Lord, the lessons of the past few weeks have left me tired and wanting to run away from life. I see most things that happened as “little” and yet whine? Truly I am ashamed of being so weary when many others are experiencing far worse when it comes to opposition. Grant me forgiveness, cleansing, and greater grace and love toward all. Instead of expecting them to meet my need for acceptance, enable me to meet their need to be loved.

Salvation is about the heart…

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17–20)

Jesus clarified what the prophets before Him kept saying to God’s people. It was not about outwardly keeping the rules — those would pass away — but it was about obedience from the heart. His first example explains:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire." (Matthew 5:21–22)

Once when I was explaining sin and salvation to a small group in a junior church program, a four-year-old girl rolled her beautiful brown eyes and said, “But I’ve never murdered anyone.” 

The excuses of the Pharisees begins young! Being a child of God is not just about what I do not do, but about my heart. When Jesus spoke to these religious people of His day, He explained:

"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matthew 15:18–20)

A man-made ritual of hand-washing was supposed to indicate spiritual purity, but the purity God calls for is not about rituals. Anyone can wash this way and claim they are pure, yet the Bible word used is about moral cleanliness without any cover up of real desires. Many leaders tell their congregations not to participate in communion (a ritual of remembering the sacrifice of Christ), if they are not believers or if they have unconfessed sin in their lives. God wants purity even in rituals! 

We sing, “So give us clean hands and give us pure hearts, let us not lift our souls to another,” because if we know Jesus, we know our heart and hands are inseparable. No excuses. No pretense.

Lord, the words of this song and Your words need to be more evident in my life. It is easy to cover sinful thoughts — or is it? Eventually they pollute my living. Clear my head and my heart. May I honor You with every part of who I am — for I belong to You.

 

Keeping rules and being an Israelite are not enough…

Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:4–12)

John preached the same message as the OT prophets, a message that needs to be continually preached. The religious people of today fall into the same error — faith is not about outward actions that appear to be keeping God's law; it is about having a heart and life changed by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Nor is it about being in a family or a culture of people who have real faith or this outward behavior testimony typical of false teachers.

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

He knows the heart. If a person claims faith and continues a life of sin, they do not belong to God. 

Lord Jesus, You know who are Your people. At times I might discern wrongly, but eventually Your godliness will show up in those who are, and You will bless all of them. Otherwise, there is still that invitation to repent and receive You as the only One who can change our lives and save us from our sinful selves.

Faith means trusting God to supply all my needs…

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’ ” (Malachi 3:6–15)

Our pastor describe how reading the OT minor prophets is like watching a recorded game on television when you already know who wins. The game is exciting with ups and downs yet the winner is certain and we experience the delight of knowing the outcome.

Jesus wins. The people had their doubts even as God continued to reassure them:

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 3:16–4:6)

It took 400 years, to us a long time, but Jesus came and Jesus conquered sin by taking its penalty upon Himself and dying the death we deserved. He gave us His Holy Spirit that we might also conquer sin’s power and eventually its very presence.

Before that, His people had grown cold to His call thinking He would never restore the covenant blessings. The priesthood had become corrupt. Worship had become routine. Divorce was widespread. Social justice was ignored and tithing neglected. His people did not trust Him, not with their money or their lives. Yet God promised to “open the windows of heaven” (3:10) for those who pay their full tithe and a day would be coming with evildoers would be stubble trod under their feet (4:1-3) because He would send them One who would turn their hearts (4:6). 

Even so, come Lord Jesus. And You came and turned the hearts of millions, You who are God in human flesh. From the NT, many of the therefore words will describe Your life, our lives with You, and then the culmination of this victory that we long for with all our hearts!

  

He came and will come again

“The Lord was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’ ” (Zechariah 1:1–6)

God accused them of doing the very things their ancestors had done before the exile. He was concerned about social justice for widows, orphans, and foreigners. 

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts. “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.” . . . .  The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace. (Zechariah 7:8 - 8:19)

Even as the people endured opposition from the non-Jewish inhabitants of Judea, Zechariah reassured them of God’s abiding comfort and care. He would continue his covenant with Israel. Messianic hope was rekindled as He promises to establish His rule over all the earth: 

Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter. And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one. (Zechariah 14:1–9)

Maybe it is my advancing age, or maybe the mess in the world and the nonsense ideas of our leaders, but I am increasing longing for the last things to happen and the return of Jesus to make all things right.

Even so, come Lord Jesus. 

Rebuilding God’s house is not about a building

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.” (Haggai 1:2–11)

It is easy to slip into a worldly value system when the home is nice and all is convenient. Yet I am noticing that contentment easily slips away. I just heard someone say how nice it would be to live where cold water comes out of the fridge (instead of a tap and needs ice cubes to make it cold). This level of dissatisfaction hurts my heart.

Organizations like Run for H2O exist to provide clean water to people whose children are dying because their water is contaminated. People in our affluent country are now paying outrageous prices for steak, produce, and gasoline, etc. To want convenient cold water seems atrocious in comparison. I also notice how the rich politicians seem to have little awareness of how the rest of the world struggles.

But before I get on my high horse, how about my personal preferences? The past few months, I’ve been tested and very often found wanting — wanting my own way, my choices, and being annoyed when I could not do or even say my ideas and opinions. 

The point Haggai is making is that those who love God need to keep Him and His will on the top of the list. In the NT, He says that the house of the Lord is me — God lives in me. And I’m to let my light (Jesus) shine before others, so that they may see my good works and give glory to my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) Too often I want my goodness to be seen so others will think well of me. That is not the will of God. 

Too often I want comfort not trials and yet judge harshly those who want comfort and not the lessons and maturity God brings through trials. These days, the learning curves have been steep and too often I’ve complained rather than obeyed.

Lord Jesus, life just changed again. I need to obey what You are teaching me, not just write it down and forget about it when the next test comes. You are amazingly merciful, yet often I think I need a 2 x 4 to the side of my head or a boot taken to my backside instead of Your never-ending patience.

When will God change a life gone wrong?

Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord; she does not draw near to her God. (Zephaniah 3:1–2)

The prophet is talking about Jerusalem; however, this passage describes someone that I know. Is it fair to change the name and place and be encouraged by what God says about a person not a city and apply it today as well as several thousand years ago? God is the same now as then except now we have these promises on this side of Calvary. The prophet goes on…

The Lord within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame. (Zephaniah 3:5)

Yes, God has not changed. He is righteous and just, yet this person and many like her seem to feel no shame about their backsliding. However, God still speaks:

I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt. “Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed. (Zephaniah 3:7–8)

A day is coming when God will make all things right. He will deal with sin and those who have spurned Him, but look what He will do with those who are His, but are now without humility or loving obedience to Him…

“On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” (Zephaniah 3:11–13)

He will make it right. My heart has been wounded with concern for this person and others who have been in relationship with God but are still wanting to run their own lives and have become haughty about it. God will sort it out. He knows how to humble the proud — or remove the proud.

Jesus, I feel so ignorant and unable when it comes to dealing with backsliding believers. The prodigal’s father let him go, but watched for his return home. How difficult now as there are so many lures to keep them in party-mode without any praise for You. Yet You got the prodigal’s attention by pig food and a deep longing for home. You know who they are — bring the wayward back to You, and help me from being anxious, annoyed, or judgmental as I wait.

 
 

Loving enemies?

I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people and made boasts against their territory. Therefore, as I live,” declares the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Moab shall become like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever. The remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them.” This shall be their lot in return for their pride, because they taunted and boasted against the people of the Lord of hosts. (Zephaniah 2:8–10)

God hears the taunts and insults that people make against His people. Some sneer as if His children are stupid or foolish, as if our values and priorities have no value at all. This can be discouraging if I listen to them instead of the words of God. 

The people who do this might feel superior, as did the enemies of His OT people, but God promises to deal with them. At that time, it was to make losers out of them, wasting their efforts and prosperity, even allowing His people to plunder them.

I don’t think that is how I should deal with those who taunt my faith and ideas. God tells me:

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43–48)

In a parallel passage, He adds these ways to show love: “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

He challenges me that loving those who treat me well is no different from sinners. I’m to do this even if there is no benefit to me at all. God will reward me and I will be more like Him when I do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, am kind to the ungrateful and even evil people. I’m to be merciful, as He is merciful, without judging or condemning. He even says how I give will be given to me in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over because the measure I use will be measured back to me. (Luke 6:27–38)

My sinful nature wants to get even, tell others in an effort to seek sympathy, and even ask God to break that person for their thoughtless and mean ways. Sigh.

Jesus, it seems that in every relationship that no matter what the other person does to me that hurts, I’ve something to change in myself. I’m glad that You do not put me on the receiving end of conflict unless it is to instruct me how to be more like You. 

Up and Down Days

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. . . . (Micah 5:2–5)

Yesterday was up, then down. A couple of nice surprises encouraged me. Then circumstances with others pulled me down as it seemed my prayers for certain people would never be answered. Yet last night I asked for sleep without anxiety and received it. This morning I asked for encouragement and the above passage popped up. God promises the One who would come and be my peace, turning my thoughts to the power of Jesus. He is my peace. Another passage reminds me that my inner joy does not depend on outer circumstances. Paul wrote this from prison:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. . . . Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:8;11–13)

Many times this passage is interpreted to mean that God will give me the ability to do whatever task that faces me, but “doing all things” is not about accomplishments because the context says it means having a deep confidence that God is in control and being content no matter the circumstances. 

It helps to know people who think positively like this, not that they can do everything but that their attitude of deep contentment overrides whatever is going on in their lives. Our friend BT was a great example. He had more reasons to be discouraged than anyone I know. He recently went home to Jesus, and I miss him and that “I’m fine” attitude that was totally genuine. Life is full of lemons yet he always poured out sweet lemonade, not a pollyanna happy-happy, but a deep joy in Jesus and His gift of thinking praiseworthy thoughts rather than ‘poor me’.

My mom is missed too. Her attitude, even into Alzheimers, was “I must need it or I would not be getting it.” That means that God wants me to see the lack of godliness in those I love? Is this to show me more about the attitude of God toward them? Or more about my need to trust what I cannot see? 

Micah wrote more and these words tell me to keep waiting and keep praying:

Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:5–7)

Micah says the worst yet kept his focus on the promises of God. He tells me not to trust what my eyes tell me, and look to the Lord when it seems that liar who is our enemy is in control.  

Lord God, so often I just want to hide from the ugliness around me and the messy news and all that makes me sad. Thinking excellence is deeply challenging when the ugly messiness is nearer than a TV newscast. Instead of escaping, deepen my faith in You and deepen my prayer life so that I can be content even when Your will and my wants seem to oppose one another. Your goodness is far deeper. I need to trust You more, even when it seems like You are not hearing my heart cries. Deepen my faith.

 

Overcoming false prophets

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths. Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God. But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. (Micah 3:5–8)

In the OT, false prophets were identified by what motivated them. In this passage, it was not spiritual illumination from the Lord, but personal desires. Micah calls it food, yet it could be anything that makes them feel good, satisfied, taken care of. They were more interested in their own comfort than in truth.

Today, there are some involved in ‘Christian’ ministry that are preaching a similar message. They say that God wants us healthy, wealthy, and wise and the more generously we give, the greater the blessing. While God blesses generosity, that motive for giving is self-centered and fleshy. 

Other false prophets are those in the cults. They call themselves true Christians and sincerely believe their way is the right way. However, they interpret the Word of God with their own way of thinking and not relying on the Holy Spirit to enlighten them. One of these cults says Jesus is “a god” and insert that “a” in this verse:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

They do not know or ignore that the original language this was translated from does not have a word for “a” — and they ignore all other references to the deity of Jesus Christ. 

They also claim that faith means Jesus “died to give us the right to earn our salvation” — an idea that is nowhere in the Bible. Yet they boast that they are the only right ones who please God. They ignore this::

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

In this verse and all others, faith is about believing in and trusting the Lord, not ourselves or any ability to earn salvation. It is also a gift, not earned. 

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9–14)

Humility is vital. If I am proud of myself and brag about how godly I am and give no credit to the power of God and the Person of Jesus Christ, then I am deceived at best and teaching lies at worst.

Lord Jesus, only You can change lives. The best we can do becomes a boast, a personal ego trip into darkness. Micah was filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare truth to the false prophets of his day and to the people who had been deceived by them. Oh Lord, we need more people like Micah in our day too. 

 

The ‘Jonah’ attitude…

Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. (Jonah 1:11–16)

This well-known story describes what God did when Jonah tried to avoid obedience. God told him to take the gospel to Nineveh but he didn’t want to see repentance happen in this evil city. So he jumped on a ship going the other direction and wound up in a very stormy sea. Those manning the ship knew enough about him to ask him to fix the problem. That is how Jonah wound up in the water and into the belly of a great fish.

Jonah had a choice: repent or die in digestive juices. He reluctantly decided to obey God, did what he was told, and the citizens of Nineveh repented.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” (Jonah 3:10–4:4)

Jonah demonstrates the desires of the old nature vs. the will of God. He makes me wonder how often would I rather a sinful person gets what they deserve rather than receive God's mercy? Think of those normally put in my list: self-serving politicians and others in leadership roles, those in cults who lie to multitudes, false teachers, fools that never seem to use the brains they have, blah, blah, blah.

I have to put myself on that list too. How many times have I acted according to my ‘I wants’ rather than ‘Thy will be done’? What would happen to me if I got what I deserved? Crucified rather than His tender love and care.

An aside. Our oldest son and his wife left their home for awhile and drove to a high place so they could see which way a large tornado was coming. It missed them, but close enough to take out some trees and make the news this morning. 

Jesus, I’m thankful that You know how to counter my selfishness and ungrateful desire to punish those I don’t agree with. I’m also thankful that You know how to warn people of Your incredible power with extreme weather, yet not destroy anyone. You want us to know that You are holy and yet merciful. Thy will be done.

 

God's Priority

You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. (Amos 3:2)

While I moan over the sin in the world, God is far more concerned about my sin, and the sin of others who are in a relationship with Him. As I read what Amos says to His people, I realize that He wants godliness in us that He can use us to do His will, to make a difference in this fallen world.

How He worked in the lives of those who disobeyed Him then is not very different from the way He works in the lives of His people today.

Therefore thus says the Lord God: “An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered.” Thus says the Lord: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. (Amos 3:11–12)

In poetic form, God speaks through Amos to say my defenses and strongholds must come down. What are they? Things of my own strength. Isaiah defines sin as running my own life (Isaiah 53:6), turning to my own way. My own way may not seem sinful yet it cannot do the will of God without His input and His Spirit. How does He deal with it? By failures and trials.

I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name! (Amos 4:11–13)

Eventually, if I don’t listen and repent, my way begins to slide downhill from being a matter of inner motives to sinful actions. In Amos’ day it showed up that way and could do the same in me:

They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. . . . Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? . . . . Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:10–24)

God does not want ritual or the form of worship that is surface only. He wants me and all His people to love and obey Him from the heart, regardless of the cost. If I rely on my wits rather than His Spirit, or think my way will work just fine, I am in darkness and will wind up in trouble until I learn to say and do “not my will but thine be done.”

Jesus, Your instruction to Your people is still the same. Your priority is my holiness and the godliness of all those that You live in because of the marvel of Your salvation and redemption. If I live as You desire, then I am useful as a beacon to those who do not know You or anything about the grace that is freely available to them. This is true Christianity.

 
 

What God wants…

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:4–6)

An online demo shows the names of certain combinations such as faith + no works, no faith + good works, good works + faith, etc. Hosea is describing how God thinks about His people claiming faith and doing good things but not from the right motives. The demo would call that hypocrisy, but He labels that simply as sin.

Hosea is sometimes called the “death-bed prophet” because he was the last one to speak to God's people before Assyria took the northern kingdom around 722 B.C. Before that, they were prosperous but had forsaken God to worship idols. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute to illustrate to the people their unfaithfulness. He warned them to return to the Lord whose love for them does not put up with rivals. 

I’ve spent time with lovely Christians who do not seem to realize the truth of this verse: “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) While they think the obvious sins like adultery, murder, covetousness, etc. are sin, most seldom realize that running our own life apart from God’s way is also sin (if it does not land us in jail, etc.) In other words, God is only vital for certain problems but not for all of life.

You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors, therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle; mothers were dashed in pieces with their children. Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great evil. At dawn the king of Israel shall be utterly cut off. (Hosea 10:13–15)

In those days, the wrath of God on sin seems more extreme as their sin seems more extreme. These days, we forget what the wrath of God did to His own Son who took the punishment we deserve for any sin. It may not be murder or being unfaithful to a spouse, but Jesus made it clear that even thinking hatefully or with lust makes all of us  just as guilty as if we did.

Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window. But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought; but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me. So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs; I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild beast would rip them open. He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper. (Hosea 13:3–9)

Reading the OT prophets humbles me as it exposes the seriousness of trying to solve my own problems without seeking the Lord’s will. Yet He says…

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:4–7)

Even as God promised to heal those whose lives label them hypocrites, He heals all who turn to Him and confess all sins and the worship of our own way. Thus He says:

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9)

Jesus, trusting You has been mocked as a crutch. To that, You say, “Who is not limping and lame?” Only a fool calls this ‘worm theology’ and refuses to honestly look in Your mirror and admit this lack of love for Him.

 
 

Why Pray?

As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. (Daniel 9:13–18)

I ’ve sometimes had the notion that if I am just good enough and obey God as much as I can, He is more apt to hear and answer my prayers. This is a sin-nature reason for praying — to get or earn God's favor. 

It does not work that way and Daniel knew it. He said his pleas were not because of any goodness he could claim, not even the imputed righteousness of a truly saved person. Just as he did not obtain that salvation by works, he did not think that his works would incline God to do what he asked.

According to this prophet and godly man, God answers prayer because of His mercy. This means that when I pray, I am to be surrendered and humble of heart, never thinking that He hears and blesses because I’ve somehow earned it. 

Yet even as I say that, I know that disobedience is a good way to shut His ears to my pleas. To obey is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22) and if I cherish sin in my heart, He does not listen. (Psalm 66:18) He is far more concerned with a clean heart than whatever I bring to Him in prayer.

Daniel had a job to do. God was about to tell him things of the future, of the end times. His obedience was important so that he could clearly hear what was said. While theologians often wrestle with his predictions, God said this:

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:10–13)

No one will understand except the wise, and most of what I read and hear is either jumbled and unclear, or bragged about as if the entire proclamation is known only to them. Sadly, this may mean that wise people either are very rare, or they know to keep their mouths shut.

Lord Jesus, You want obedience because it is the best thing for me and You want the best for me because You are merciful. You are amazing. I have nothing to offer You but pleas for the fullness of Your Spirit that I might always listen to You and do what You say.

 

In the lion’s den?

All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (Daniel 6:7–10)

The king was reminded that his decree could not be revoked, and was told that Daniel ignored it. He must suffer the consequences so was thrown into a den of lions.

Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. (Daniel 6:19–24)

This reveals the power of God. I’m reminded of two things. One, it explains why Daniel was not with the other three in the furnace. God had a different plan for him. And two, this alludes to God's  protection from the destructive power of Satan. These NT verses come to mind.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. (2 Timothy 4:17)

Jesus is the life-giving Lion of Judah. Satan is the life-destroying enemy and is totally opposite Him. The lions in Daniel’s life point ahead to the ‘lion’ who wants God's people to stop praying and worshiping. Yet our God protects His faithful children. This roaring lion could not destroy an obedient Daniel and he cannot destroy us.

Jesus, in these days of increasing persecution, I often think of the truth that “You win.” Even if those who hate Your people hate us to the point of taking our lives, we go into eternal life with You. We win, as did Daniel and the Apostle Paul who escaped. You declared this true at that ancient den and keep declaring it — and because of You, I live forever, no matter what that evil lion can say or try to do.

Fact not fable

“When you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:5–7)

Last night a bolt of lightning hit so close we had to check if it was our house. My heart literally shook and it took a long time to get back to sleep. But all was okay.

The above well-known story about a fiery furnace is told to many children in Sunday school, but far too many Christians tend to put it in fable status. Is it too remarkable to believe? I did hear of a man walking off a crashed and burning airplane. He prayed and was not hurt by the flames. Our God is not helpless…

The story goes on. The three companions of Daniel refused to worship the image. When told, the king summoned them and said:

“Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” 
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. 
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:14–25)

Is this Jesus showing up in the OT and walking with His people, protecting them when that is His will? In this event, the result was a changed life:

And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” (Daniel 3:27–29)

Application? No matter how difficult my problems may be, Jesus is with me in them and able to deliver me from harm. Not only that, He is able to use what could destroy me to make our world a safer place for others as He stops others from harming me.

Jesus, I’m not able to save myself from peril, but You are. All the things I could worry about, like getting hit by lightning, are nothing compared to Your power to protect Your children.

 

God's Long-range Plans

Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. (Daniel 2:24–30)

The king wanted his dream interpreted, but he refused to tell his wise men what the dream was so he told one of his men to kill all of them. Daniel intervened. God gave him the content and the meaning, thus saving the wise men from death. Did he know what the descendants of these men would do? Not likely. But God did.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1–2)

Most theologians believe these wise men were descendants of those that lived in Babylon many centuries prior to the birth of Christ and it was very likely that Daniel told them that a Jewish messiah would come and the sign would be a star that would take them to His birthplace. Knowing the power and plan of God from this side of those events, it is easy to agree. That ancient group had to live on and be told, therefore God revealed the meaning of the king’s dream and kept them alive.

When unusual events happen, realizing God has an agenda for good helps me agree with this understanding. As my mother often said, “We must need it or we would not be getting it.” This applies to ‘good’ events as well as those that alarm us or make us shake our heads in wonder. He has a plan that we do not know about.

For instance, my hubby ‘lost’ something valuable, but after nearly two years of wondering what happened, he found it again because his luggage got left in a faraway airport and forced him to fully examine it to make certain nothing had been removed. He then found his missing items. I thought later how upset travelers get when their luggage goes missing, but as my mom said…! And God says:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

Those “all things” may not feel good, but sometimes God is showing us the wonder of His grace with surprises that reveal His goodness, and it is gazing into His glory that changes our lives. 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Spending time with Jesus in His Word is one way. Talking with Him all day long is another. Seeing Him in the lives of Spirit-filled believers is another. We may not see Him as we look in the mirror unless that helps us confess our shortfall, but it is His amazing goal that we be like Him.

Jesus, there are times that You are so real and visible, and times where I feel abandoned, yet all the time You are active and working in my life, even in my dreams. For that, I am grateful. And I love Your surprises!

Faith about food is practical faith…

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (Daniel 1:8–16)

Whatever reasons people become vegan or vegetarians, I’ve never heard anyone quote this portion of the Bible. A little research offers these primary reasons:

Health because a well-planned vegetarian diet is naturally higher in fiber and lower in saturated fats and cholesterol compared to standard diets, a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, a lower body mass index (BMI) than meat-eaters, and to avoid added antibiotics, hormones, and chemical contaminants found in mass-produced meat.

Others have ethical and animal treatment concerns regarding the mass slaughter and unethical treatment of animals. Since the meat industry places a heavy toll on global resources, this can be an issue, as is resource consumption, greenhouse gas levels and water pollution.

While some religious groups refuse meat on the grounds of non-violence, and other people do not like the taste of meat, or just cannot afford it, few refuse some meats because OT biblical laws forbid some meats. Daniel wanted to obey God. His reasons were not about any of the above, and as always, God blessed him because of his desire to obey.

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:17–20)

These men had a huge impact in history. They were likely the source of what the magi did much later in following the star to Bethlehem.

Lately I’ve cut back on desserts. It is odd for me. I grew up on a farm and we always had dessert after a meal to the point that I’ve expected and even craved it, but now feel God is saying no desserts. I’m not sure why, but like Daniel, I want to obey Him.

Lord, I cannot justify stuffing myself with sugar-laden foods when it contributes to poor health with useless and even harmful calories. Your Word is for my protection and not to harm me. Besides, self-control is a fruit of Your Spirit. I lose it as soon as I say yes to what I don’t need and should not stuff down anyway. 

 


 
 

Forgiveness can be a challenge…

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:22–28)

Years ago someone sinned against me and I struggled to forgive this person. Forgiveness is difficult enough, but that person would not acknowledge it, making it even more difficult. Finally God gave me the same thought expressed in the above passage — that God forgives for His own sake. It is who He is.

At that. I was able to forgive, for God’s sake but also for my own sake. He had given me a new heart and His Holy Spirit and forgiveness was part of that new nature. It had to be done for that reason.

The Lord adds to this and His words humble and bless my heart:

And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel. “Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it. (Ezekiel 36:29–36)

If nothing else, these minor prophets show me what God is like, both holy and gracious. He loves His people but hates sin, not only because it hurts us and ruins our lives, but because it also defiles His Name. He is not like us, and if our sin is not forgiven and cleansed, we are not able to be like Him. Sin mars the image of this One who created us in His image. Many excuse it by inventing the idea we came from apes, yet others reveal it in incredible creativity and sometimes by extreme generosity. However, apes don’t build skyscrapers or invent artificial hearts or paint Sistine chapels, or fund orphanages and hospitals.

We are supposed to love, forgive, help the helpless, and display other God-like characteristics, not rob banks, shoot children, beat up our spouse, abuse, and slander, or do all that humans do that is not like our Creator. But we are not able to shed that selfishness of DIY effort. Only God can say:

Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:12–14)

He proved He could do this by coming here, dying for our sin then rising from the dead, the firstborn of many.

Jesus, because You lived and died to save me from my sin, I want to die to those old nature ways and honor You, live for You. Oh dear Lord, thank You.

 

Protected because God promises…

And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Because the enemy said of you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The ancient heights have become our possession,’ therefore prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord God: Precisely because they made you desolate and crushed you from all sides, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you became the talk and evil gossip of the people, therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around, therefore thus says the Lord God: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make its pasturelands a prey. Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations. Therefore thus says the Lord God: I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach. (Ezekiel 36:1–7)

Reading the minor prophets is sometimes frightening, but mostly a comfort for it tells me what God is like in His holiness and in His faithfulness to His people. Here He declares to His prophet that no matter how badly the other nations treat them, He will not only deal with those nations, but also protect His people and cause them to prosper.

“But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no longer bereave them of children. Thus says the Lord God: Because they say to you, ‘You devour people, and you bereave your nation of children,’ therefore you shall no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children, declares the Lord God. And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 36:8–15)

The NT says that all those who put their faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ are “Israel” and belong to Him. His new covenant includes these promises and adds even more. As I read and learn of what He tells Ezekiel, He speaks to me. No matter what I face in the hardships of life, or in the reproach of those who reject the good news of His redemption, He will prosper me and all who belong to His family through faith in His Son.

Jesus, You are my source of love, joy, peace, confidence, hope secured. When I die physically, I will live forever with You forever, made to be like You and never again experience the negatives of this life. You kept Your word to the Israelites, and You keep Your word to me. How amazing!

 
 

Protected even when disciplined…

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, and say to it, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste. I will lay your cities waste, and you shall become a desolation, and you shall know that I am the Lord. Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment, therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; because you did not hate bloodshed, therefore blood shall pursue you. I will make Mount Seir a waste and a desolation, and I will cut off from it all who come and go. And I will fill its mountains with the slain. On your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines those slain with the sword shall fall. I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities shall not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will take possession of them’—although the Lord was there— therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, I will deal with you according to the anger and envy that you showed because of your hatred against them. And I will make myself known among them, when I judge you. And you shall know that I am the Lord. “I have heard all the revilings that you uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are laid desolate; they are given us to devour.’ (Ezekiel 35:1–12)

If I am reading this correctly, God is rebuking those who try to take advantage of His  people when they are experiencing His discipline. Such people hate the people of God so are not going to help or encourage them while they experience God's judgment, but instead use that time to hurt them even more.

This form of persecution still happens in the family of God. Those who are against Christian believers rejoice when we struggle, as if our situation proves to them that their unbelief is better than our faith. What can I do if this happens to me?

If their accusations are false that is one thing, but what if they are true? What if I sinned and God's correction became visible, even a thing for others to laugh at and put me down for doing such a thing?

If that happened to them, would they hide or deny or make excuses for it? If so, then I must openly admit my error and make no excuses. How can a anyone ruin me if I’m honest about getting what I deserve?

Making excuses is easier. I didn’t see it coming, or someone else is at fault. It is easy to plead ignorance than admit guilt.

I don’t know what happened in this OT situation, yet the passage says God was not happy with those who mess with His will. He may not expect our enemies to do the right thing or those who detest matters of faith to behave as if they did, but He rebukes them and warns them that He will make Himself known to them and will judge them.

This speaks to the reason behind His discipline of me. He will do it, but He will also protect me from anyone who is thinking how good it is to see me “finally get what she deserves” and smugly take advantage of what God is doing.

Jesus, so far this is an imaginary event yet if it were real, I can see it as a powerful statement of Your care for Your people even while You are rebuking us. Your discipline is given with love and for our good — but the harsh treatment of others is not motived by any goodness at all. May You grant discernment to see the difference so I can trust what You are doing and reject or dismiss the actions of those who want only to harm and hurt.

 

Don’t expect the pastor to do it all…

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezekiel 34:1–10)

Sadly, the words above could be said today about the shepherds who are supposed to be caring for their congregations. I could point out those whose appeals for money based on promises that God gives back more, and those who use false teaching for personal gain, or those who consider their work just a job. But finger-pointing can be just as sinful. What is God saying to me in this passage?

For one thing, the NT tells me to respect and honor spiritual leaders. Pray for and encourage them. If they err, privately address it with Bible and humility. I’m not a shepherd but I can feed sheep, encourage and strengthen them, tend the injured and seek those who have strayed. I can reach out to the lost and encourage other to do the same. I can also fight spiritual enemies with prayer and speaking truth to counter Satan’s lies.

I can also rebuke spiritual leaders, gently of course. When a granddaughter went to family camp with us, our pastor at the time was the main speaker. She liked what he said. After coming to church, she said to him, “How come you speak so well at camp and are such a lousy speaker at church?” While he seemed to try hard, he shared her remark with the congregation and apologized.

God Himself makes a promise about the needs of those missing out on the shepherding He intends for His people:

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. (Ezekiel 34:11–16)

Not only that, He will judge the sheep for we are to take care of one another: “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.”(Ezekiel 34:20–24)

Jesus, I’m glad that You are the Shepherd that takes care of us all, and who disciplines those who slack off. Help me to know and do my part and not ever think that the pastors should do it all.

Cannot hide sin…

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the inhabitants of these waste places in the land of Israel keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he got possession of the land; but we are many; the land is surely given us to possess.’ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your eyes to your idols and shed blood; shall you then possess the land? You rely on the sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife; shall you then possess the land? Say this to them, Thus says the Lord God: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence. And I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and her proud might shall come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that none will pass through. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed. “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 33:23–33)

Our church is preaching a series on OT minor prophets. Last Sunday was Nahum and the pastor repeatedly stated that listening to the words of these prophets often make us uncomfortable. He showed also that the horrid sins they condemned were physical actions, yet Jesus later spoke of those same sins as being attitudes of the heart. In other words, if we just think adultery, or idolatry, or revenge, we are as guilty as those who act out their thoughts.
 I interact with one person who often frustrates me and I feel annoyed or even angry, but try not to express it. That sermon convicts me. So does this passage. However, my efforts require confession, not pretense. Hiding behind ‘being nice’ does not fool God.

Not only that, when unconfessed sin stirs me and I don’t deal with it, I cannot be filled with the Spirit — and therefore miss out on His input:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22–24)

I may not need to confess my anger to that other person as this person would not see it as my problem but apologize for it, but it is my sin, not hers. Making her feel guilty is not fair.

Lord Jesus, help me keep short accounts with You that my relationships with others are kept clear and without that selfish old nature always trying to have my way. Your will is always perfect and best for me and those around me.

Bondage of sin loses its appeal…

Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord. “Because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel, when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake. Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. No foot of man shall pass through it, and no foot of beast shall pass through it; it shall be uninhabited forty years. And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. “For thus says the Lord God: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered, and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will never again rule over the nations. And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.” ( )

When interpreting Scripture, it is important to consider the style used by each writer. Ezekiel wrote poetically and in figurative and symbolic language. This helps me understand this prophetic passage describing future events that have no record of ever happening. What if he is seeing Egypt as the old life of bondage and describing what will happen to that in the will of God?

Egypt ruled the people of God in a harsh way and that slavery was not the life He intended for them. However, being set free to worship their Creator was not always their response. The people set free often went back to that bondage through self-rule rather than obedience. Instead of destroying them, His plan is to destroy that realm and allow them to live in prosperity in this world with Egypt and all it represents. In Christ, that old life is a lowly force that no longer held them in bondage.

I might be stretching the image yet it is true. One day, when I see Jesus face-to-face I will be like Him — no longer trying to rule my own life or even be tempted to do that. The bondage of sin is defeated at the cross, and the result of God dealing with it means being set free from its power.

Jesus, while research does not back up this interpretation of the prophet’s words, experience does. Just thinking about all You have done and all that You are doing in my life produces a sense of lightness and joy. I do not live in that place of bondage to sin any longer because You made living there so small that its power to rule me is receding and losing its appeal. Thank You for all that You do to give me an abundant life.

 

A common idol

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god— you are indeed wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you; by your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth— therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you make your heart like the heart of a god, therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you, the most ruthless of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor. They shall thrust you down into the pit, and you shall die the death of the slain in the heart of the seas. Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who kill you, though you are but a man, and no god, in the hands of those who slay you? You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners; for I have spoken, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 28:1–10)

In the past week I’ve heard this wild claim from several people, not in the same words but with the same notion that “I rule” not God. Some speak from a position of political leadership. Others speak as if their knowledge is superior to God's ways. A few speak as if they will rule their own lives because they are wise enough to do so.

We all do it in varying degrees. This is why the Lord says:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

The Christian life is characterized by new behavior that flows out of a new way of thinking. This is not just doing God's will but thinking His way. However, even Christians can fail to work on this or even fake it — godly on the outside but sinfully motivated at heart:

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:20–32)

This requires a constant awareness. A friend confessed her struggles with knowing the source of her ideas. “Is it mine? Or is it God’s?” One way I know is if an idea or command comes to mind and part of me does not want to do it, that idea is usually from God. Getting over the notion that I can do whatever I want takes a long time to learn. I am not a god.

Jesus, You show me my weaknesses that include qualities I once thought were strengths. How small I am compared to You, how weak and unable. I’m grateful for those lessons yet sad that it takes me so long to kick that pride out — and even recognize it each time it pops back in.