No guilt, no fear

Leviticus 25; Psalm 32; Ecclesiastes 8; 2 Timothy 4

Others may have done a more thorough investigation into the Lord’s regulations for Sabbath and the Year of Jubilee, but for me, just reading it at this time makes me wonder — have those who claim to be God’s people ignored His thinking regarding rest and other issues that Leviticus raises? Just giving the land a rest is one of them.

This chapter says God’s people must take one year in fifty to give everyone a fresh start, give extra-special support to the poor, set slaves people free, and essentially put ‘zero budget planning’ into practice in every area of life. It is like starting over, like pushing a reset button. Because of this I am wondering something else: Has the God who set up this amazing plan for the good of His people determined that our fast-paced, ignore God lives needed a reset? Is the covid-19 virus a tool in His hand to bring us back to ‘zero planning’ meaning starting over rather than returning to what some have called ‘normal’ life? Just saying.

The psalmist speaks for God too. His desire for His people is joy, not sorrow. I know for certain that living in ignorance of His ways or in rebellion to Him ways brings sorrow. This is not what He wants. David teaches otherwise . . .

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. (Psalm 32:8–10)

David’s most important lesson is the blessing of forgiveness that comes through confession. As hard as it is, I cannot stay silent when I resist God and realize it.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:1–5)

This is an amazing and freedom-giving truth. During this pandemic, it becomes the key to ‘no fear’ for I know that even should the virus take me down (or anything else) I am under the blessing of being forgiven. Death will not rob me of the eternal life God gives, or of the freedom from guilt I enjoy now and forever. I may have skipped a thousand Sabbaths and disobeyed hundreds of His commands, but now am eager to listen because He has given me a new heart that loves Him and enjoys His favor. For His children, even the ‘worst’ possible end to life is an entrance into glory.

In the NT, Paul wrote from jail about his own end. He knew it was near:

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6–8)

This man knew forgiveness. He also knew the joy set before him. He was alone, even had been abandoned by some and had no one to defend him, but it didn’t matter. He had Christ . . .

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 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. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16–18)

APPLY: My sinfulness upsets me, but it is covered. The news of the day upsets me too, often putting me in tears. This morning was one of those tearful starts, but God reminds me to pay attention to His principles. Sabbath is a picture of resting in Him, trusting His finished work instead of striving to make myself happy. I’m forgiven, blessed, without fear. No matter what happens, He will bring me safely home. My prayers and words are that others have that same assurance, not be filled with guilt or fear but able to praise and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

God tells some people when they will die

Yesterday I heard of an elderly Christian lady who told her daughter, “Three more days.” For the next three days, this lady was calm and at peace. Then she died.

Others shared that they also knew of Christians who had the same prior knowledge of their time of death. This was also true of Paul. He wrote:

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6–8)

This morning I read that the nature of ‘praying without ceasing’ is that we are continually aware of the Lord, that He is not only with us but communicating to us everything we need to know. Certainly Paul was a person who prayed continually. He was always close to the Lord and thinking of Him. The above-mentioned lady was likely much the same. They were not afraid of death; they anticipated seeing the Lord. God in His wisdom and kindness let them in on when they would die. Awesome.

In the same part of Paul’s letter to Timothy, he describes a situation and his attitude toward it that reveals much about this close relationship with Jesus. He wrote:

"Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 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. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:14–18)

He trusted God to deal with his opponents. When abandoned, the Lord did not leave him alone but stood by him. He forgave those who had deserted him, just like Jesus did at Calvary. He knew the chief reason God rescued him from evil was so the Gospel could be heard. He also knew he would safely reach his heavenly home. His only desire was that God be glorified. This man was close to God and God trusted him with information that most others would not hear.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, praying without ceasing is just part of the marvel of knowing and loving You. In such a relationship, You give Your people whatever we need for our days here and for our future with You. You are such a wonder, a gracious and loving God. I echo what Paul said — to You be the glory forever and ever.

Today’s thankful list . . .

A nice, slow day with time to catch up on that to-do list.

Able to give away some unneeded furniture.

Mailed photos to my sister yesterday and she got them this morning!

Grilled chicken and cheese sandwiches.

Sunshine and incredible green with a hint of gold in the trees.

Naps.

That final move

Today’s devotional reading says, “Life has been one long series of departures.” Besides leaving for vacations or taking trips for other reasons, I can count twenty-nine moves for myself and with family. Some were from one place to another in the same city, but some from one country to another. Leaving one home to establish another involves changes and adjustment besides the emotions of saying goodbye. 

As a Christian, my thoughts about leaving this world are different than they once were. Now death is a change of place and state, not an end to life. It involves the negatives of saying goodbye to the familiar here, but the positive joy of being welcomed into my true home where endless life will swallow up all the sorrows and struggles of this one. 

At Bible study last night, we talked about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our certainty that we too will rise from the dead. That is, because Jesus died and rose again, and because His life is my life, I know that I will depart from this place to live with Him forever. Yet I want to finish well before I leave.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6–8)

Paul also wanted to finish well. He had fought for the truth, kept his faith and looked forward to his rewards, knowing that all Christians have the same hope. He talked of death as a departure, a going away, an exodus.

In my many moves, those changes have not always been easy. Some were fraught with emotion. Some were physically difficult. The same is true for that last exodus. 

We prayed last night for folks nearing this part of their journey and for those who are or will grieve. One man died in mid-life, too soon in our thinking. Another was murdered by political enemies leaving a confused and fearful family to mourn and wonder about their own safety. Another man has bone cancer eating his life span to a stub, and a woman’s life is threatened by a mysterious and unidentified ailment. Still another has blood cancer with no visible symptoms yet but it already gnaws at his soul.

The Bible says death is the final enemy, but it also says that Jesus conquered death and in that day when He returns, even the living will join them as all take that final move from this life to the next.

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:53–57)

Some days I feel strongly drawn to this last relocation, but for the wrong reasons. Life is tiresome or difficult and I’d like that change and live where there will be no more tears or sorrow. Sometimes I am thinking of being with Jesus and my motives for moving are purer. 

Other days, I think I am not ready to go. The smiles of my family, conversations with friends, even my to-do list gives me great delight. How can I say goodbye to the pleasures of this life? But the Bible promises that last move will be a true home-going. Even though it might involve a trip through shadows, darkness, toil, blood and tears, Jesus will hold my hand and I will find that my destination is “better than I’d hoped when I had hoped the most.”