Stubborn Human Hearts

“They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but none goes to battle, for my wrath is upon all their multitude. The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour. And if any survivors escape, they will be on the mountains, like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, each one over his iniquity. All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water. They put on sackcloth, and horror covers them. Shame is on all faces, and baldness on all their heads. They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity. His beautiful ornament they used for pride, and they made their abominable images and their detestable things of it. Therefore I make it an unclean thing to them. And I will give it into the hands of foreigners for prey, and to the wicked of the earth for spoil, and they shall profane it. I will turn my face from them, and they shall profane my treasured place. Robbers shall enter and profane it.” (Ezekiel 7:14–22)

God planned severe treatment for His people who had turned from Him to worship idols made of metal. Besides physical hunger and famine, and other horrors, their precious jewels of silver and gold became mere plunder in the minds of their invaders.

I’ve no idols in my home; certainly not enough precious metal that anyone would consider stealing, but how would I feel if the things I value (like photos, gifts from my children, etc.) were considered mere junk by others? Would this make me rethink my priorities? Would it mean a deeper dependance on the One who governs my life and whatever I possess? 

In the past couple of weeks, two small paring knives have disappeared from our home. However, this week my hubby found a valued item that he thought may be lost forever. And just now we got a call that something I made is being returned to me. Another unexpected surprise from God. 

These insignificant events make me wonder at the hardness of heart of God's OT people to the point that He had to send them into exile, famine, danger, and loss to wake them up to their idolatry. Their wealth would not feed them, or save them, or bring them home. They cast their silver and gold into the streets as unclean and not able to deliver them from God's wrath. 

Jesus, I am aware that wealth and art could minister to a person’s pride and ego. However, they can become a pollution, or even taken by others who do not really appreciate them. Guard my heart against the worship of possessions. Do not allow anything rob me of my love and worship for You.

 

Responding to God's goodness

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. 
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God! And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God. And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16–29)

Most of the posts on social media seem to be AI generated, yet a few of them are blessings. Last night a little girls was asked about what she wanted most. She replied, “The kingdom of God” and when the interviewer asked why, she said:

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

This was on a comedy clip but no one laughed. Instead the child received a loud and sincere round of applause.

Weeks ago, I heard someone say that all evils in the world would change if everyone was thankful. From that reaction to this verse from the lips of a child, many folks seem to agree that we need a way to think and live that is beyond what we normally know and do. A child wants what he wants right now. However, this definition can also apply to adults! If only more of us wanted first the kingdom of God.

Jesus, I know it is true. Wanting Your will do be done on earth as it is in heaven is kingdom living and when my focus is on living as Your child, You bless me in surprising ways. May You raise up more children and adults that have that as their main desire.

When God is silent…

 

A Christian group I once was part of is celebrating their anniversary. They asked me to create a short video of my memories and relationship with that group. As I thought about what to say, I could not think of anything. I prayed about it and realized it would not be right to speak of my service or accomplishments. I prayed some more and nothing came. Finally, I bowed out, and realize that God didn’t give me anything to say to or about this group. This passage came to mind:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12–16)

The ‘it’ or ‘goal’ in these verses is about being like Jesus and doing the will of God. When in that group, that was not always my focus. After a few years, God took me out of it and led me in other directions that would further His purposes. Looking back, that is easy to see now but not then.

However, I know now that ‘pressing on’ is not about success in a particular effort or anything else other than the work of God in my life and holding on to what He is teaching me. This group is looking for memories and stories related to my experiences that would highlight the group. This puts my focus off the work of Jesus and His goal of transforming me and giving Him glory. Not that it is wrong to be thankful or talk about it, yet God didn’t remind me of anything that should be said.

Besides that, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal” is my current desire and challenge. Not only do I easily forget the stories and experiences that are about me, my focus is on what is happening now, not back then. I must hang on to what God has taught me and move on. Perhaps  those in the group need to hear that admonition, but they did not ask me for anything like that. I can only apologize that the stories they want are but a very faint blur in my memories.

One of today’s readings says not to choose to be a speaker for God. If He calls me to do it, then do whatever He says, but keep listening to Him, not following my natural inclinations. In this case, the former me would have jumped at the chance to speak to that group. I held many leadership positions, led sessions, organized events, but such talk would easily be me, me, me, as that was most of my motivation then, without much thought of glorifying the Lord. Not only that, some of my experiences seemed negative to me; they don’t want a video about my bad attitudes, nor do they want a ‘sermon’ addressing the problems I inwardly complained about. No wonder God didn’t give me anything to say!

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

And love also learns that there are times to keep one’s mouth shut.

PRAY: Jesus, dozens of years ago, I would love the center of attention and an opportunity to share my stories, but the lovely thing about walking with You is that those stories about me fade into nothing and my memories are becoming more about Your grace and power to use all things to change my focus and put it on You. I’ve no desire to be put on a pedestal or given a few minutes of fame. Thank You for Your silence. It tells me that there are times for me to also be silent.

I was there . . .

READ Matthew 25–28

Jesus is betrayed and crucified. He rose from the dead, yet the animosity toward Him still exists and I feel great sorrow as I read these chapters.

The parable about foolish virgins speaks of those who think they can be united with Him without being ready. The parable of the talents describes any who think He is “a hard man” who can produce profit without the obedience of His servants. Both stories describe similar attitudes today.

The separation of sheep from goats tells of those who ignore how genuine faith produces changed lives; people who love and care for others. The supreme example was the actions of the religious leaders who “plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him” — even though they told others to obey God’s laws, they were more concerned about their popularity than this One who did not sin.

When expensive ointment was poured on Him, His disciples thought it was wasted; it should be given to the poor. How many people today put ‘social concerns’ at the top of their priority list, even over the importance of glorifying God?

Judas betrayed Him, sold him for thirty pieces of silver. His greed prioritized money over doing what was right. Jesus knew betrayal would happen and told the disciples, but their concern seemed more about who was going to do it than how wrong it was. They were also told that they would “fall away” rather than stick with Him, but they denied it, especially Peter who claimed he would die with Him rather than deny Him. But when the time came, even though he stayed near, Peter eventually denied knowing Jesus for fear he would be crucified with Him. Most people today resist “whatever Jesus wants” especially if it means dying for Him.

In the garden, Jesus wanted His followers to pray with Him, but they fell asleep. I doubt there is any Christian that cannot relate to this. Our enemy does his worst to keep us from praying, especially praying with Jesus in crisis situations that seem contrary to the will of God. We don’t get it — how He can use “all things for our good” including trials to build our character? We pray to be comfortable rather than pray to be more like Him.

Jesus was betrayed with a kiss, threatened with physical harm, mocked by many, laughed at, lied about, treated like a criminal. He did not fight back. Today, He is betrayed by hypocrisy and false teachers, lied about, mocked and cursed, even treated as if He did not exist. Some say He was gay, or married a prostitute, or a deluded lunatic. Those who know Him know otherwise, yet today many religious leaders still deny Him, saying He was a mere idea, or an angel, or a special person, anything but God in human flesh.

When Jesus was arrested, bound and delivered to be crucified, His betrayer realized his sin and tried to reverse what he had done, but instead of “seeing to it” himself in repentance and seeking forgiveness, Judas took his own life. Suicide is rampant these days . . . anything to avoid facing the only One who by grace can give even the worst of reasons new life and a fresh start.

Pilate was amazed that Jesus did not fight back. He seemed to know that crucifying Jesus was the wrong choice, but he gave in to peer pressure. His wife warned him and yet he was afraid of a riot and losing his place of authority. How many people reject Jesus because of “what will people think” instead of doing what they know they ought to do?

The soldiers and the crowds mocked Him. If He was the Son of God, why didn’t He come off the cross and save Himself? That was their value system talking. Don’t suffer, save yourself. Make fun of those who give their lives to help or save others. They wanted Him to demonstrate trust in a God who miraculously saves and protects Him, just like today’s crowds who want God to fix everything and make everyone healthy and wealthy, a mockery of the very reason He came.

When Jesus died, they mocked Him yet when many who were dead came from their tombs, they could see He was what He claimed to be, the Son of God. Even as He lay in His tomb, they feared . . . “The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” And today, some still think Jesus is a fraud.

Lord, I read this with sorrow. Determined rejection of You still happens. Some have no idea who You are and what You have done, and many who claim faith in You still do not obey Your command to “Go therefore and make disciples . . . .”

Oh Lord Jesus, how merciful You are to grant forgiveness and new life to sinners such as I.

 

 

God speaks and I must listen . . .

 

READ Luke 9-12

I’m using this year’s devotional like a reading plan in that I listen for what the Lord says to me (rhema) rather than pay much attention to the author who is doing the same thing. What strikes him as important when he read those chapters may not be for me. I’m having only one problem; these readings in the Gospels are filled with the words of Jesus and I hear Him in every line. Of course all of it is important but this space is limited. Today, He puts my focus is on these things:

First, Jesus speaks about priorities. I’ve been criticized for not using my skills, for settling with a life of mostly prayer, helping family and making quilts for needy people. Some people think I should do more, bigger and better.

This is Jesus’ take on that: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:23–25)

Perhaps I could have gained a reputation and livelihood from art or writing or other things yet I knew that Jesus calls me to deny personal ambitions and die to self-gain. This life is not all there is. He wants my focus on being like Him, telling others of His kingdom and having an eternal perspective that trusts Him to take care of life’s necessities so I don’t need to worry about them.

Second, there is a connection between personal ambition and spiritual blindness. Jesus’ disciples marveled at what He was doing in the line of miracles but were clueless about His main mission. He told them yet their hearts were not on that but on their hopes for personal fame and being greater than everyone else . . .

And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:43–50)

Being significant is not the same as being the best and lording it over others. Jesus wants childlike trust not cocky ambition.

Third, I can go the other direction and feel as if my life is not worth much to the Lord. Yet He says to me: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6–7) His eye is on the sparrow — and I know He cares for me no matter what I or others think of my offer.

Fourth, if someone hurts me or robs me of anything, instead of asking God to deal with them and for fair play, Jesus wants me to take care of my own attitude and priorities. When someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me,” He said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?  . . . Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:13–15)

Clearly these thoughts are about having an eternal perspective and relying on the Lord for what I need in this life. Also, I’m to take care of my own sin rather than asking God to deal with someone who sins against me. When that happens, it might be the Lord showing me in the way I respond to whatever they did how selfish and faithless I am. He tells me not to be anxious; if someone takes my stuff, God knows what I need and He will supply. After all, He takes care of sparrows! My role is to first seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and trust Him with all things. He alone is worthy — and also totally capable!