The bigger picture. . . .

 

On television, world leaders can look smug or confident, worried or perplexed, grim or determined. Their faces sometimes belie their words or reveal their hearts, yet do any of them read passages like this and take it to heart?

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah (Psalm 49:7–15)

Everyone is terminal, even those who make a great mark in the world and their names are remembered for generations. As the Word of God says, we are like beasts that perish and those who want to ‘rule the world’ will eventually be overruled by the grave.

Why do I write about this? Because so many are watching the wars and rumors of wars with fear and trepidation, and just as many have shut their ears to all dangers and are not prepared for what may come. 

We have family living in tornado zones. People in such places prepare for the worst even as they hope for the best, but not all of them. Some assume they can ‘stick it out’ regarding hurricanes and such. Others assume they will always be okay, and have no plan if a tornado  or wildfire bears down on them.

Does this mean living in fear of what might happen? When our children were small, my hubby refused to let them ‘what if?’ But that does not include keeping property in good order, knowing where to go for shelter, buying a fire extinguisher, or preparing for retirement. Prudent people consider what could happen, do what is necessary, but are not obsessed or overcome by fear. Nor are they like some of our world leaders and billionaires who live as if they will never die.

The rest of the psalm speaks to those struggle with the shenanigans of the rich and powerful. Then only a page or so later, God tells me to focus on Jesus who died and then whose body began to breathe:

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16–20)

Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:22–23)

Thinking people who consider the realities of life — and death — and who want truth to govern their choices are the most apt to be shown what really matters. A saving relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ puts all of human ambition in its proper faith and puts my eyes on eternity. Yet even before doing that, He reminds me every day that trusting Him  means that I will also conquer death. No, money or anything else I might gain here will go with me, but when I go, I will spend eternity very much alive with my Savior.

PRAY: Jesus, these are good thoughts for a Monday morning and the challenges of the week ahead, and the challenges of watching the senseless sparring out there for power and more money and more stuff. I’m so thankful for eternal life and the great contentment that goes with it. Not only that, You provide every need and guide my steps through this complex maze of life on this messed up planet. One day all struggles and fears will vanish into the glories of eternal life!

Why are men happy? because they cleave to God. Why are men miserable? because they recede from God. It is then our own fault that we are miserable; God cannot be charged with any injustice if we be miserable, since his goodness gave means to prevent it, and afterwards added means to recover us from it, but all despised by us. — Charnock.

Calmed by God’s Wisdom

Our Sunday was such a blessing that I’ve braced myself for an attack from the devil. He didn’t do anything much yesterday, but the world news this morning put me in a slump. The fires in CA are to worsen, hitting the areas where we once lived and have friends. My prayers feel like a drop in an ocean of need. The devil’s attack on my emotions is a pittance compared to what these people are going through.

The Lord brings powerful thoughts from Charnock’s book, and even though the dangers remain, God also remains. Charnock reminds me that Satan’s intentions can be what they will, even seem to be working, but God is able to outwit him in his strategies, baffle him in his plans and even use him as an instrument for the good of His people even though this evil entity designs nothing but lies, hurt and destruction.

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment. (2 Peter 2:9)

As I wonder why God does not move now, Charnock also reminds me that in denials or delays of answers of prayer, God is gracious to hear; but He is wise to answer in an acceptable time, and help us at the right time. We want things now, like rain, no wind, great power in the fire fighters efforts, but do any of us really know what to ask for or the timing of it?

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

Not only is God's timing perfect, but in all evils threatened to so many people by this enemy and in these fires, God knows and has wisdom concerning anyone or anything that looks as if it or they can outsmart Him. “He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.” (Job 5:13)

I’m also reminded that God defeated the serpent in the first net he laid and “brought a glorious salvation out of hell’s rubbish.” He is just as skillful to disappoint the after-game of the devil’s helpers, the policies of hell, and the subtlety of the world, because… “The wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness.’ ” (1 Corinthians 3:19) The Word of God also says this:

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalm 2:2–6)
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30)
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)

The gospel itself is a declaration of God’s power over Satan and all things. The Son of God bowed down to death upon a cross for the satisfaction of justice and rose triumphantly out of the grave to declare God’s justice was satisfied! Then Jesus was exalted to heaven to intercede for us; and will return into the world to receive us, and invest us with a glory forever with Himself! This overrules all powers, even that of a raging fire. “To the only wise God be glory through Jesus Christ, for ever!”

PRAY: You gave me Scripture that I might know You, learn patience as I yield to Your will, be comforted and live in hope, no matter what is going on in my life or in the world. I pray for thousands who suffer to know the same — and soon — yet trust You because Your wisdom is far greater than mine. You will take care of Your people.

God is not a genie in a bottle

    When others questioned who Jesus was, He gave the simple answer “I am” using the same name as Moses heard when he asked the name of God who was speaking to him from the burning bush. This name became so sacred to His OT people that they eventually refused to say it and in most Scripture it is translated as LORD.

    Some have the idea that “I am” is an unfinished sentence that can be used like a blank check, filling in whatever is needed from God in their moment of need. Even though God loves us to come to Him when we have needs, it is not correct to use “I am” as an unfinished sentence. Again, Jesus is referring to His existence, about the fact that He is always who He is, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

    Some use this ‘blank check’ idea to say that Christians can feel as if our hearts are “full of our own wretched ‘I am’ thoughts about ourselves and make statements such as: “I am so weak,” “I am so foolish,” “I am so good for nothing,” or “I am so helpless” – all causing great discomfort in our spiritual lives because we are ignoring the “blank check of God’s magnificent ‘I Am’ that authorizes us to draw on Him for an abundant supply for every need.”

    While it is true that a focus on me and my weaknesses can cripple me, it is important to view that in light of what the Bible says about being weak. Paul experienced something that made him feel weak and unable, and God told him a great truth that many Christians miss:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8–10)

    Helplessness is not my enemy. It is my signal to trust God rather than my own strength. It is the very thing I need to live in the power of God, and He does not take away that weakness. Instead, He wants me to be content with it and to obey Him even as I feel unable to do it. This is the glory and power of God.

    And “I am” is not a blank check. It is the name of God when HE identified Himself in the OT and Jesus used to do the same. It speaks of His eternal personal nature and self-sufficiency. He does not have to go outside of Himself for anything because He is self-existent and unchangeable. “I am” is also a reminder that the God I serve is all that and more,  a term of worship far beyond a phrase to use when I want something or want something fixed to suit me.

    PRAY: Jesus, You are the great I Am, and You do promise to meet my needs, to be all that I need. However, this name is not about me or my needs. It is about You and all that You are. It is about the wonder of You and should put me on my face before You, trusting You totally rather than assuming that in Your great name You should let me fill in the blanks and get what I think I need. While this difference is challenging to explain, there is a difference implied. As God said to Moses, this name implies how I need to think of it: “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

This is definitely not about me . . .

 

READ Daniel 5–8

We sometimes have lunch with another couple who are opposites. He likes to talk about ideas and events; she likes to talk about herself and her experiences. Neither are like Daniel; he talks about God and what God thinks and does.

In chapter five, Belshazzar had a dream and like his father, called for Daniel to interpret it, offering a rich reward. Daniel was not interested in the reward. Instead, he told this king the story of his father’s conversion to faith in the Most High God. Then he said, “And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven . . . .” preparing him for the interpretation of his dream and the doom he would face. After Daniel read the writing on the wall, Belshazzar was killed that very night. (Daniel 5:22–30)

Darius became king and was impressed with Daniel. However, the other officials in this kingdom decided Daniel had to go. They devised a scheme that would put him in a den of lions. We all know the story. When Darius hurried the next morning to see if “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel replied:

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. (6:22)

His emphasized he relied on the Lord whom he knew had delivered him and this convicted Darius who decided:

I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. (6:26–27)

In chapter seven, Daniel has a vision in the night of “one like the son of man” referring to the promised Messiah. He tells what he saw:

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (7:14)

In this vision, four beasts are described then this person who will be given dominion, glory and a kingdom. The previous four beasts were allowed to govern but the Son of Man has greater dominion. He will be served by all peoples and nations of every language. Justice will reign and all life will be impacted by this One called the Son of Man. Good will triumph over evil in His everlasting and indestructible kingdom. No one nor anything can overrule Him or His government.

Daniel saw other events and images in his visions and was alarmed by them, but kept silent. He didn’t fully understand all that he saw so did not speculate, even though he was given an interpretation of sorts. Even now, many years later, theologians debate as to the meaning of these visions but Daniel did not do that. Instead, he prayed that God would forgive and keep His people. His focus was again on the Most High God and His power to show grace and mercy to those who humble themselves in contrition and faith.

We are living in troubling times. It seems our world has lost its moorings. However, rather than say ‘the sky is falling’ or that Jesus’ return is near, Daniel sets an example. I’m to pray, confessing my sin and the sin of God’s people, asking for grace and mercy, waiting for His answers to our current dilemmas and telling others about His goodness and power and sharing His loving desire that we put our faith in Him and live as His holy people.