His love shed abroad in our hearts . . .

Genesis 16; Nehemiah 5; Matthew 15; Acts 15

I have one sister. We are just under two years apart in age and have been the best of friends all our lives. I cannot remember ever having a fight with her. We are also sisters in Christ, making the relationship even closer. I know this is somewhat unusual. Sibling rivalry is more common. Some sisters are estranged for years.

Today’s reading tells the story of Sarai and Hagar, not sisters. Sarai wanted a child. Hagar was her servant. Sarai convinced her husband Abram to sleep with Hagar but when she conceived, the rivalry began. Hagar eventually fled to the wilderness because the pressure was so intense. However, God reached out to Hagar . . .

And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” (Genesis 16:8–10)

The word that comes to mind is “grace.” Not so much for Abram or Sarai. God made a covenant with Abram to give him a son, but as time passed, the two of them became impatient, even desperate for children. They decided to take matters into their own control. It was not illegal to take another wife, but this was not the Lord’s plan. It resulted in tension in their household for years to come. This faithless move affected not only the next generation but was the beginning of the Arab peoples who have been in hostility with Israel ever since.

The grace was to Hagar. She could have died in the desert, losing her child and the promise God made to her, and we would miss seeing how God, even in the early history of His dealings with humanity, cares for the despised and the outcast, for even those not connected with the people He had chosen.

Nehemiah was God’s man and demonstrated the same compassion for those mistreated. Chapter 5 tells how he stopped oppression of the poor and how he was generous to those in need. After shaking up those who treated others unfairly, he explained his reason:

The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. (Nehemiah 5:15)

Jesus showed the same compassion on a Canaanite woman as His Father showed toward Hagar. She came to Him for help concerning her demon-oppressed daughter:

But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:23–28)

It is no surprise that the reading in Acts describes the debate among the Christians in Jerusalem concerning Gentile believers. Some thought these people needed to become Jews and be circumcised. Peter insisted that was not the message God gave them.

And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15:7–11)

Compassion to all, to the outcast slave, the poor and oppressed, the outsiders, the Gentiles. I cannot help but mix my sister into this description of God’s inclusive grace. She has been like that all her life, not turning anyone away for any reason. Now she is close to the end of her life . . . and dearly beloved. Her family has cared for her intensely because they love her. All who know her love her, including the medical staff who have tried so hard to stop the death that is ravaging her. I am sad for me but letting go because I can in my mind’s eye see her walking into the arms of Jesus and hearing Him applaud her for being such a lovely expression of His compassion.

God’s kingdom has no superstars

Back in the eighties, I attended a woman’s conference on evangelism in Wheaton, Illinois. While not a new Christian, I still put Christian authors on pedestals like teenagers do with music and movie stars. I can remember my first encounter with one of those well-known authors. I’d read all of her books and imagined her far differently than the woman I bumped into on the steps of the venue. She would have been quite comfortable wearing an apron and carrying a plate of cookies. 

At that event, the first speaker told how she arrived late and went to a bathroom on the main floor to brush her teeth so as not to bother those who were asleep. When she finished, she discovered that the door would not open. She spent most of the night trying to sleep on the cold tile floor. At 5:00 a.m. she noticed the way the door met the floor and realized it was not locked after all. She opened it and went to her room. While everyone was laughing, I was smiling as I realized these “stars” were not that different from the rest of us.

Today’s devotional is a reminder that God certainly does not make stars out of His people. We are so much the same as each other, human, fallible, ordinary with ordinary needs. Paul wrote to his protégé Timothy while he was waiting execution in Rome. He was lonely and looked forward to a visit from the younger preacher…

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. (2 Timothy 4:13)

Spurgeon writes, “If we had seen Peter and Paul, we would have thought them very ordinary people—wonderfully like ourselves. If we had gone into their daily lives and trials, we would have said, ‘You are superior to what I am in grace. But somehow you are people like me. I have a quick temper; so have you, Peter. I have a thorn in the flesh; so have you, Paul. I complain of rheumatism, and the apostle Paul, when aged, feels the cold and wants his cloak.’”

  When I put the heroes of the Bible on a pedestal, I need to remember that much of what is written is about everyday events in the lives of ordinary people. Even when otherwise, if some had more grace, I know that the source of grace is as open and free for me as it was for them. I believe in the same Jesus who never changes and who wants me to have victory in trials and power in ministry just as they did.

Spurgeon expresses the same truth as this blog is about. That is, faith is practical. It is how I live in my kitchen, living room, study. It is about being patient in lineups at the grocery checkout, joyful when my body aches and doing my best even when I don’t like the task at hand. As Spurgeon says, “Grace is no common thing, yet it shines best in common things.” The grace given to those preaching and church planting is no more important than the grace given to mothers of small children, or employees misunderstood in the workplace, or Christians who serve in the shadows without recognition or much appreciation. We all have trials and we all need grace. 

I’m also reminded that the road was not made smooth for Paul any more than it is for me, nor for authors, preachers, and others we might consider “stars” in the Christian world. All of us must endure difficulties, yet all of God’s people are promised victory in the end. Paul knew it, and those promises helped him endure his trials — and joyfully tell others where they could find the same grace that had found him.

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 4:17–18)

Amazing grace, amazing joy!

Christians make a distinction between being happy and being joyful. The former is about circumstances; when things are going our way, we are happy. The latter is about the deep joy of Jesus Christ that is in our hearts because He lives there.

I’ve had a few occasions in my life where His joy surprised me. My circumstances should have spelled anguish and sorrow, but instead, I felt joyful. No reason, just that I was keenly aware of the wild and wonderful presence of God — and knew that He is in control, even in those negative situations.

Joy is about eternal matters. Jesus encouraged this focus in His disciples. When they were excited over their new found power to cast out demons, He said to them:

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:19–20)

Jesus reminded them that power over demons is a circumstance and for this life, but assurance of heaven is an eternal matter. Besides His reminder, He also displayed this amazing joy in His own life. The very next verses show how He also rejoiced in eternal things.

In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” (Luke 10:21–22)

Jesus was joyful because His Father had revealed truth to believers. This is eternal. Once we know truth, it can never be taken away. I marvel every day at the wonderful things God reveals to me. His truth is a source of great joy.

Jesus also marveled at the will of God. First, that it can be known. God reveals it to those who trust in Him. Second, His will is gracious. Grace is God giving blessing to those who have not earned it nor do we deserve it. It is God’s goodness to sinners. This little phrase “Your gracious will” says volumes about the attitude of God toward His people. It is also a source of great joy. Since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, His will is eternally gracious — and that is cause to rejoice.

Jesus rejoiced because the Father had given Him all things. In simple terms, the two of them, plus the Holy Spirit, are in cahoots! All the plans of the Father are also plans of the Son and implemented through the power of the Holy Spirit. Their wills are one. Great joy is intertwined in the heart of God, a great joy that He is pleased to give to those who believe in Him.

Jesus also rejoiced in the power of God to reveal Himself. However, this revelation is not for everyone; it is reserved to those He chooses. Yet He also says, “Whosoever will may come” meaning that grace is open to anyone who wants it, who realizes their need for it. We just need to humble ourselves and come to Him. When He bestows that amazing grace, He also gives amazing joy.

*****

Lord, every now and then You show me something about Yourself that drives home the great privilege I have in experiencing You and Your grace. Thank You for showing me the truth of who You are. Thank You for the joy that I have in You. Thank You for that simple phrase, “He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” that today reminds me of the wonder of being Your child and the wonder of Your amazing and sustaining joy.

To Live is Christ — with constant new beginnings

Part of the “good news” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that salvation is available to everyone. No sin is too great because the blood of Christ covers all sin. No sinner is too awful or too far gone that the mercy and grace of God cannot reach him.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. (Titus 2:11–12)

The first part of this passage affirms that all of humanity is included. It does not say that all humanity is saved. (The Bible is clear that salvation belongs to those who respond to grace by faith and are given new life in Christ.) But it does use that word “all.” Christianity is not an exclusive faith in the sense it is only for white people, or only for a certain social group. Christ appeared for all so that all might have the opportunity of forgiveness and the victory described in the second part.

This morning before reading this, I read a section of Old Testament Law in Deuteronomy and hung my head. No one could keep this Law perfectly, least of all me. The high standard of the Law made me feel condemned and ashamed, at least for a few moments until my mind turned to the reality of Jesus Christ. Apart from Him and from the grace that brought salvation to me from Him, I would have no hope at all.

Yet He brought salvation, and in this I rejoice. I am forgiven! However, as the passage in Titus says, I continue to need the grace of God. Grace enables God’s people to live out this wonderful salvation that is ours.

The passage says grace teaches me to deny ungodliness and my sinful desires that are like those that fill the world. This denial is not something that I know by myself nor can do by myself. Grace teaches me how to recognize sin and say no to it.

Grace also teaches me how to live soberly. The word means self-controlled, or as I like to say it, “self under the control of the Holy Spirit.” I can nor more control myself than fly to Mars. This is a God thing, a product of grace. It comes from Jesus, not from me.

It goes without saying that my life is not righteous nor godly either — apart from grace. I need Jesus, plain and simple.

Today is a new day, the beginning of a new week and a new month. I sense the “start fresh” that goes with that, but in my spirit, and because of the grace of God, this is an encouragement that He gives every day. His grace forgives sin, conquers strongholds, renews hope, and blesses me in so many ways that again I hang my head, this time not with shame but with amazed gratitude.