Placed & Protected

Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. . . . Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” (Acts 25:13–27)

Never underestimate the power of God to put His people where He wants us. In this case, He wanted Paul to tell the king of the Roman Empire about Jesus. Agrippa was the last king of the Herodian line, son of Agrippa I who persecuted the church in Acts 12. Any ordinary person would seldom be invited to this man’s presence, never mind a Christian.

This reminds me of the time my daughter sat next to a famous movie star on an airplane. It also reminds me of an event where a very well-known person and speaker for it was seated for lunch at my table. I learned some important things that day, certainly that God can put me where He wants me.

Being seated with a noted person isn’t a big deal; but having God determine that should happen is a big deal. Because of Paul’s summons to meet Agrippa and his wife, we can read his remarkable testimony that is recorded in the next passage. Few people have the opportunity to share Christ with the king of a nation. Although Agrippa remained loyal to Rome and his Jewish heritage rather than joining the early Christian church, millions of people can read the gospel Paul shared with him.

Another truth seen here is that God puts me where He wants me. Paul knew that. He witnessed to those who put him in jail where most Christians would be wanting others to pray for their release. A couple years ago, I was taken to hospital by ambulance with pneumonia and thought this was God's will. I learned much from that experience. Although the doctor said my fast recovery set a record for their hospital, I knew why the Lord wanted me there.  

Jesus, trusting You in all situations is vital to inner peace, but I also must  be alert to why You want me to be in that situation. Understanding Your will changes a trial into an amazing experience that brings You glory — and me closer to You with deeper understanding and greater trust.

 

Surviving Calamity Fatigue

Numbers 7; Psalms 42–43; Song of Songs 5; Hebrews 5

Some have said that life is not like this –––––––––––––––– but more like this: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\. It seems to me that even the ups and downs are irregular and unpredictable. 

For example, today’s newspaper had this headline: “Let us guard against calamity fatigue.” It is about a city north of us that is experiencing severe flooding on top of coronavirus and a wildfire four years ago that destroyed homes and businesses. What next? Who knows? Stress levels are high.

Life is like that. People usually react to those valleys with ‘why’ questions and are despondent and struggle. Where is God and what is He doing? Even those whose relationship with Him is long and deep have those dark days when all seems hopeless, people like the psalmist who likened himself like a deer panting for water.

I can imagine it. The deer is quivering with thirst and perhaps fear. Certainly, the psalmist is too. He is cast down, in turmoil, feeling forgotten and mocked by those who taunt him. But even in that valley he calls for light and truth. He knows that this season of hunger, fear and uncertainty will not last. His prayer ends with these words:

Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 43:3–5)

I’m not in a flood, nor have any of my friends succumbed to the virus. No fires, no enemy attacks, but I feel the struggles of those I read about in the news. For them, life is a nightmare and my empathy and sense of weakness in disasters is nothing compared to their calamity fatigue. It motivates me to pray, not necessarily that God will fix it but that He will use it for good, bringing people to call out to Him, like that deer seeking a drink. Even like Jesus did as He suffered a great thirst for His Father who had seemingly forsaken Him.

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, (Hebrews 5:7–9)

God the Son had to learn obedience? As the Son of man, He was like us, helpless in the ups and downs of life, certainly weaker than anyone could be weak as He hung on the cross and suffered for our sin. In that human body and human nature, the most extreme trial was this test. He could have escaped but He stayed there — for our sake.

I think of the people in the floods and in quarantine, those hooked to a ventilator and dying. Could it be for the same purpose not to save the world but that in this world of sorrows we experience the deepest valleys so we might learn obedience through what we suffer?

APPLY: I will not become a Savior of the world when and if I learn to trust God in those deep valleys. I will never be the source of eternal salvation because of anything I’ve done in obedience to God. The best I can hope for is that God will be glorified and that others will be drawn to Him. Lord Jesus, help me be like You in the peaks and valleys of life included those today, and to do the best that I can to honor You.

A labor of love . . .

Jesus wrote letters to seven churches. John recorded their content. The first one was to the church at Ephesus. Some think this church was symbolic and others argue it was the actual congregation in that place. That seems to miss the point. He is giving direction to His people and since I am one of them, I’m to pay attention and consider it direction to me. Winning the argument over who are the recipients is not as important as listening to what Jesus says and obeying Him. He said He would build His church and these instructions are important to all who are part of the Body of Christ.

For that reason, I’m listening as I read His commendation and His warning to His people in Ephesus and letting Him apply those words to me too. He says:

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:2–4)

When I read this, I could hear the Holy Spirit affirming my hard work and that I withstand evil and false teaching and am patient with many things. I also hear Him warning me not to fall into living the Christian life motivated by routine or a sense of duty. It is about loving Jesus, not being and doing right for the sake of being and doing right. To this He adds:

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:5–7)

He tells that church if they do not turn from form, duty, rote, living their lives to be right rather than living their lives because they love Him, He will move them from their place. This says to me that serving Jesus with the wrong motivation means I will lose any power I might have as a witness and a light for Him. I remember His words:

“ . . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

 How easy it is to slide into letting my light shine so people will notice me. If I do that, then the only result is that I am noticed. Instead, I should love Jesus so much that if anyone notices or praises me for whatever He is doing in me, I will not only cringe in response, but gladly give Him the glory.

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

Lord Jesus, this ‘noise’ from the flesh is part of that old sin nature that does not love anything but itself. Your word declares this old nature is gone and the new has come. Keep my thoughts on that reality so I will continually live for You and Your glory, not for any other reason.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- a great hour at the gym.

- fresh snow that makes our world look like a Christmas card.

- hubby not only drove me to the gym but bought us a lovely lunch.

- my usual nap after gym; those one-legged sit-stands fatigue me every time.

- smell and privilege of fresh laundry.

- that being thankful helps me from complaining about stuff.

What makes you happy?

A list of all the things people believe will make them happy can have surprising answers. For instance, one taken in 2015 had the following (and more like them) on their list of 50: Sleeping in a freshly-made bed. Feeling the sun on your face. People saying "thank you" or a random act of kindness from a stranger. Finding money in unexpected places. Having time to myself. Laughing so hard it hurts. (Link) 

Another list of a dozen items is mostly about relationships. Other people can make us happy.

As I read this, I thought how nice it would be if my name was on someone’s list of ‘things that make me happy.’ Today’s devotional verses say that this has possibilities. Jesus said:

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38–39)

Two notable truths jump out of these verses. One is that the Holy Spirit flows out of the hearts of believers. Since the Holy Spirit is the source of joy, then this joy is part of the flow. How wonderful to be joyful, not just for my own self but for those around me. I know people like that; they just make me happy. One is a little girl of about four. She sends her drawings to me in the mail and shyly smiles at me every Sunday morning. Another is a woman in her nineties. Last week she liked the pants I was wearing and asked me to leave them to her in my will. She makes me happy.

The second thing I notice is that the Spirit of God was given when Jesus was glorified. Tozer says this is a spiritual principle: The Holy Spirit will not flood from His people unless they are glorifying Jesus Christ. He adds that by dedicating myself to the glory of Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes the initiative to deepen my walk, to raise me up to a closer relationship with the Lord, to open my eyes to increasing knowledge of Him, and to fill and bless me.

When this happens in relationship with other believers, the flow becomes a river, an overwhelming abundance of joy that we bring to one another. This joy is not only our strength as God’s people, it is our unity — like a gentle song sung in incredible harmony . . .

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5–7)

Tozer says, to glorify Jesus is the business of the Church, and to glorify Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit. My part is to keep short accounts with God and with others, and to walk in loving obedience.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, when Your people are filled with Your Spirit, we make each other happy. This is such a wonderful gift of grace and mercy. Fill my heart to overflowing, today and always. It would be wonderful to one day see a survey of what makes people happy that puts Jesus Christ and His church at the top of the list.