Boasting that He is all I need…

And the Lord says: “Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them poisonous water to drink. I will scatter them among the nations whom neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send the sword after them, until I have consumed them.” (Jeremiah 9:13–16)

This OT prophet has very little positive declarations. He was speaking to stubborn people who did their own thing and were being warned of the consequences of a life that ignores the Lord. Repetition of this theme can be helpful, but I want something more positive. However, there is one passage after this one that touched my heart as a new Christian. In plain language, it tells me what to do and how to think:

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

I’ve often boasted in being smart, as in knowing lots, but not in being wise. Wisdom is knowing how to live according to what I know. I’ve never felt wise, but rather confused and uncertain. Many times, I’ve not known what to do even though I know many facts. 

I’m certainly not mighty in any sense of the word. I’ve had congestive heart failure for years, affecting physical might. Anything like mighty in influence, or other abilities eludes me. The older I get, the weaker and more unable I feel. I can only boast in that I sleep well, yet know that is God's doing.

As for riches, I’ve been both poor and with money, surviving poverty and gaining wealth with none of it by my efforts. God takes care of me in that department, often with amazing surprises. 

So Jeremiah’s words about boasting struck me. Boasting that I know the Lord and understand His ways (even partly) is something I can do. He has shown me that He “practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth” becomes an easy boast, one that makes sense to me. I need His wisdom and power, and He takes care of my finances in ways that I cannot do or even imagine. 

The best part is that when I boast in Him, He takes delight in that, not that He needs that sort of affirmation, but He is joyful that I know this is truth — truth that He has made known to me.

Jesus, You are the power and wisdom I need. Not only that, You supply the material resources I need also. I’ve been poor and rich, yet You have taken care of me in both extremes. I am so grateful that knowing You and understanding You means being rich and wise and even mighty in You, and keeps me from that stubborn stupidity that prevents me from the consequences that otherwise I would experience if left to my own useless and even deadly devices. Bless You, my wonderful Savior.

Responsibilities and Privileges

For the tithe of the people of Israel, which they present as a contribution to the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel.” And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, ‘When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe. And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. So you shall also present a contribution to the Lord from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel. And from it you shall give the Lord’s contribution to Aaron the priest. Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every contribution due to the Lord; from each its best part is to be dedicated.’ Therefore you shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be counted to the Levites as produce of the threshing floor, and as produce of the winepress. And you may eat it in any place, you and your households, for it is your reward in return for your service in the tent of meeting. And you shall bear no sin by reason of it, when you have contributed the best of it. But you shall not profane the holy things of the people of Israel, lest you die.’ ” (Numbers 18:24–32)

This is a difficult passage. I read a few ideas from others about its significance then and implications for God's people today. These are important attitudes and actions for me.

First, when all that I have, including time, money, talents, opportunities, and influence is dedicated to serving the Lord, I can enjoy life with glad of heart. I may not have all that others have, but joy is not about possessions but about being filled with the Spirit and committed to loving Jesus.

Even though I have no worldly inheritance, Jesus is mine and I am His. I have many things to enjoy, but they are not mine but only entrusted to me for a time and for my stewardship. I may hold these blessing yet only on condition of giving any or all up at once, without complaint or astonishment, if called to do so. Yet I am not poor though having nothing; but rich beyond compare, having Jesus and in Him I have all things.

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

Some of the Levites might have wished to be landowners rather than Levites yet they had the great privilege of serving the Lord. They were not forgotten but received houses, gardens, pasture lands and were commended to the care of the nation. In today’s family of God, those called to serve are provided for in every way. Those who hear that call to be pastors, evangelists, or missionaries have every reason to obey it. Such full-time service may have many trials and heart-aches yet God’s Word promises: “Them that honor me I will honor.” This means preferring God without the land to the land without God, and having no fear that God will fail His commitment. He wants me, regardless of what He asks of me, to commit my soul entirely to Him and have no “second portion” to fall back upon if anythings seems to not work out as I hoped. Of this, I need not fear. I have accepted God’s offer to be His and can say: 

… I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, (or whatever He asks of me) which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. (2 Timothy 1:11–12)

Jesus, I realize that the vital responsibilities of the Levites have their parallel in the entire consecration You ask of me. Shrinking from my responsibilities is less of a temptation as You remind me of my privileges, even in a much lesser role than those listed above. I’m thankful that You promise safety and sufficiency. You are my portion and security, even made me Your inheritance. I am Your child, and I have all that I need.

God and Dreams

 

A bad dream caused me to ask God for better dreams. I wanted to dream about Him. Last night, He answered. In the dream, He sent me on a trip of several destinations and several projects to do. I didn’t know that this assignment would take a week so packed nothing for the trip except my Bible and a notebook. By the second day, I realized I’d need a toothbrush and a few changes of clothes, to say the least. I told someone of my predicament and prayed. On the third day, in a city I didn’t know I’d be in, I retired to an assigned hotel room and there on the bed was all I would need for the rest of the trip. Who, how, and other details unknown, it was obvious God answered and assured me that no matter what my future held, He would supply.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

The past few months have been like that dream. We have had so many unexpected blessings that I have lost count — but not the memories. Things fixed or done by people who came to do something else and ‘just happened’ to have the skill to fix them — at no cost. Finding just what was needed at just the right time. Meeting people that needed us, also at just the right time and having that need supplied to us for them by God's ‘riches in glory in Christ Jesus’ who always shows up with perfect timing and resources.

I’ve sometimes called myself God’s spoiled brat. Better to say, “that according to the riches of His glory He keeps granting me to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in my inner being” (Ephesians 3:16) and put the focus on the source rather than the results.

Yesterday I was thinking that my world could fall apart, that God could discipline me or train me using disasters, deaths, negative things. The news is always full of this stuff and besides that, we have unsaved family, some who are needy in spiritual and other ways, and my hubby, who could have retired fifteen years ago is still working and leaves next week for one of his several contract jobs. For me, the week ahead has two dinners (one I will cook and one to cancel), four meetings (two in one day, and one all day), and that gigantic to-do list and who knows what else. Worry comes easy — but only God knows what is ahead, and only God can tell me, in His Word and in my dreams, that He will supply every need, no matter what. I am a blessed brat.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4–7)

PRAY: Jesus, what do I say? Thank you are small words for such a ginormous and loving God. You know me. Your thoughts of what I need do not bounce around like silly putty. Your supply is  as certain and as perfect in love and grace as You are. Forgive the anxiety that keeps knocking on the side of my head and pour Your peace into my heart and mind. I love You. 

Subtle Doubts

The Bible speaks much of God's people having zeal or great enthusiasm to serve Him. New Christians often show the same attitude. So do I, but not always. Yesterday we heard an enthusiastic message, yet all I wanted to do afterwards was sleep. 

Today, I could sleep all day. My health has a thumbs up. I’ve the blood pressure of a teenager, no problems with eyes, ears, teeth, bone density, etc. but my zeal for life, even ordinary things, lags at times. Is this a spiritual problem? Or too many birthdays?

A bit of research lists a host of reasons such as worldly-mindedness, spiritual complacency, neglecting spiritual disciplines, unrepentant sin, a lack of understanding of God's truth, focusing on temporary gratifications, trying to please others, and overwork. In its list of twenty-two possibles, a few poked at me. . . .  

While I’ve sometimes relied on others to build my self-worth, an excessive workload often deplete my energy and enthusiasm. Sometimes I ask for help or prayer support and others tell me how strong I seem and assume that I don’t need encouragement. I can be emotionally drained at the state of the world, pray much about the needs I see, yet feel the fatigue of spiritual battle. A big drain is prayer without seeing tangible results. I can also focus on the challenges and difficulties rather than on God's power. At that, zeal begins to fade.

Interestingly, at least one OT prophet saw this problem as God withholding His blessing: 

Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me. For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. O Lord, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary. We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name. (Isaiah 63:15–19)

The NT says this about blaming God for a lackluster faith:

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:13–17)

And in the letters to the churches, God also says His people are to repent from whatever was lacking and do as He was telling them to do. Am I hearing but not doing? Is being too tired to do anything a challenge? or an excuse? Discernment needed…

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8–10)
 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)

After writing this, I received a positive and edifying email and it helped restore my emotions. God heard me whining.

PRAY: Jesus, sometimes my problem is trying to do more than You ask of me. The needs are great and although I trust You to be Lord of all, I sometimes tackle Your to-do list instead of waiting for Your instruction. Yesterday You reminded me how small actions create large results. Today this lack of zeal and that email tell me to “be still” and trust You to answer my prayers and take care of all my needs. Forgive my impatient discouragement that reflects a simple lack of trust that You will do what is best for me.

Jesus is Enough!

Some speak of God and Jesus Christ as if knowing Him is related to a human decision to believe. With that comes all sorts of encouragements to hang in there, to keep trusting Him, to remember who Jesus is and the proof of it. They speak of God in tentative terms and eternal life as a future reward. They also stress human effort and the will to believe, as if all of this is up to us.

While my experience sometimes belie what God says, my experience concerning faith in Christ and becoming a Christian is nothing like the above examples. My salvation experience was not about what I did. Not only that, it lines up with the Word of God.

That said, everything related to my Christian life is about what God is doing through the power of His Holy Spirit, both before and after. In searching for Him, I didn’t even realize that was what I was doing. I didn’t find Him — He found me. I was sitting in my living room reading a book on reincarnation (which I now know is not true) and suddenly became aware of Jesus. He came as light in my darkness and revealed to me what I did not know nor had been told; He is God incarnate, God in human flesh, and He came to die for my sin. This truth has never been doubted.

In that encounter, my mind and heart were changed. I knew instantly who He is. I knew why He came. Again, that has never changed. I’ve not had to fight to keep believing it. Revealed truth is unforgettable, not the same as ‘taught’ truth.

Soon after that happened, my sister told me to read John five times and Romans twice, reading until a revelation from God stopped me. Then write it down, and how it applies to me. Repeat. More than fifty years. And God has, every day of those years given me something new, or reviewed something already revealed — faithfully. To my amazement. To my joy. And Jesus said this:

… The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. (John 14:10)

If Jesus did that, what right do I have to speak as if I have any authority? Or claim that I do what He tells me? Even Jesus said that it is the One who lives in Him that does the work of God. I’ve no right nor any reason to claim any of it. Again, this is illustrated by a hand in a glove. The glove is inert and useless without the hand to animate it.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Galatians also explains the fact that the old nature, called the flesh, still tries to rule my life. God says:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16–17)

This applies only as God reveals to me what is fleshy and interfering with His Spirit. This applies this morning as we have two days before the moving van arrives and my flesh wants to quit packing and be done with it. Even run away and hide. The Spirit tells me to trust in Him to give me the strength and the attitude I need to do this as Jesus would — by listening to and relying on my Father.

PRAY: The day ahead seems too hard, yet You are the God of ‘too hard’ and tell me I can do Your will in Your strength, and with joy. Fill me with Your Spirit and enable obedience, even in this ordinary challenge. I need You all the time, and I know that You are enough!

Reasons to trust in and live for Jesus

Deuteronomy 23; Psalms 112–113; Isaiah 50; Revelation 20

A secular organization that I belong to is calling for people to serve on the executive. I’d like to be helpful but have reservations. Being a Christian is not popular in some circles. Even if Christians do a good job in leadership positions, some will not appreciate them and may even hate us simply because we believe in Christ. Dealing with the issues of serving on a committee or being a group leader has enough challenges without the tension and conflict from others who do not want Christians around.

That said, I’m not sure if God is asking me to volunteer or showing me that I’m a coward who isn’t interested in climbing up another learning curve. I do know that if I did serve in a committee in any secular organization, my faith in Jesus would be visible. So would His blessings on my life. I cannot boast that I deserve them, yet the people who do not know the amazing grace of God may not see it that way. In their minds, success is all about brains, hard work, luck and human effort, even though the Gospel says otherwise. The psalmist is more confident than I am:

Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish! (Psalm 112:1–10)

This short psalm puts credit where it belongs. He gives me a heart to fear Him and delight in doing His will. He blesses my children and other Christians around me. He enlightens me regarding spiritual truth, takes care of all my needs and keeps me walking with Him. He picks me up when I fall and encourages virtues that otherwise I would not have. I am not fearful, not even about Covid-19 because He gives me a steady mind. I am certain of His care and His promises. Even if I give away something that I need myself, He will replenish my supply. Such grace is amazing.

Yes, Christians struggle with trials and sorrows and I can share those with others but must also say that God uses any negatives in my life to deepen my faith. I grow stronger because He is working all things for my good, to transform my life. (See Romans 8:28-29) I’m not being punished as some nonbelievers might suppose. (See Romans 8:1)

Another reason that Christians are not popular is that the Bible says when we trust Jesus, our names are in God’s book of life. That means no condemnation. I am left out of His final judgment:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done . . . . Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11–15)

When people think favor with God is based on human performance, they assume those who claim His favor are arrogant and presumptuous. However, the Gospel is about His mercy and grace. Forgiveness and redemption is offered freely because Jesus died for our sin, not because we are better than everyone else. Such grace makes no sense to them.

How does this relate to my decision-making about serving in a secular organization? Am I being tested? Is my love for Jesus strong enough that I will go into situations where I can be misunderstood and even opposed? Am I willing to follow Him even if He takes me there?

APPLY: Pray more about this. Ask others to pray for me. Trust God with the answer. He knows whether I will glorify Him in this, or if the challenges will be too much for me. But also rejoice — no matter what He says, my eternity is secure. And no matter what my decision is, He wants me to be more like Jesus. I should be able to say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

 

Jesus gives me all I need . . .

Of the last five New Testament epistles, three are one short chapter each. These five are concerned with false teaching and the way Christians should live. 2 Peter and Jude warn against those who scorn the authority of the Lord and His Word. John’s three letters are written against Gnosticism, a teaching that had strange views of Christ and other important matters. John called this the “spirit of antichrist.”

Years ago, a man told me of visiting the Franklin mint where there is a wall of counterfeit money displayed under glass. He said to an official, “I can imagine you must study these very carefully.” The official replied, “Not at all. We study the genuine money. That makes it easy to spot what is fake.”

As I think about the topics of these books and am aware that many of these false ideas prevail even today, my plan is not to dwell on or analyze the false but look in these books for what is true. The very first and most delightful reality is in the first chapter of 2 Peter. He writes:

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:1–4)

God says salvation is by the righteousness of the Lord, granted to believers by His power. I am given “all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.” This is how I can escape the corruption of the world rather than be snared by its sinful desires! God says there is no other way.

Yesterday in discussion with others, we agreed that our most constant battle is that “I can do it” notion concerning all of life. In other words, I tend toward the foolishness of thinking that I do not need God or His grace or divine power, at least not for certain things. It is easy to be quite happy to consider Jesus my Savior because I know I cannot save myself from sin, but I too easily drift toward thinking I can handle most of life all by myself.

This is not true, yet it takes a lifetime to fully realize it never mind reach it. The life of radical faith takes seriously the words “all things that pertain to life” and learns that even ordinary things like shopping, household chores, and so on are included. When I rely on “divine power” for the ordinary, life is transformed. For instance, last week I learned the why of a nosebleed in the plan of God. He is teaching me to be on the alert for His hand in everything and because of it, life’s events have meaning I’d otherwise not see. Instead, God gives me adventure in matters that I’d otherwise find ordinary or even irritating.

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

Lord Jesus, this passage in 2 Peter is precious. It gives me an image of Your power pouring down as I run from sin and from trying to handle ordinary life without You. I can also clearly see that You lead me into a life where You hold my hand and give me grace and peace. No false teaching can even come close to what You do for Your people!

Today’s thankful list . . .

- having all I need to live for Jesus.

- forgiveness for the many times I fail to rely on Him.

- knowing Your power and grace that gives meaning to even ordinary events.

- getting outside into fresh air.

- lots of exercise today.

- being able to record and watch the World Rugby Bronze medal game.