In all these things . . .

My uncle Edward was one of those story tellers who offered a hook so you wanted to hear the story, but then took you on a convoluted journey down many rabbit trails until he finally fleshed out the story and finished with the punch line. Sometimes the Apostle Paul reminds me of Edward.

For instance, today’s devotional reading is based on a verse that says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors. . . .” so my first thought is, “All what things?” Where does Paul’s thinking begin? I had to go back two chapters to find some clues.

His hook could be this statement: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Since this is the gospel in a nutshell, and certainly a hook, I’m going to consider this as one of “these things” and trace through to the punch line.

First, those who have accepted the “free gift” know that sin still happens. This hook raises a question: As a Christian, do I still earn sin’s wages?

Paul struggled with that too. In the next chapter, he describes how he did what he didn’t want to do, and didn’t do what he wanted. Could this be one of “these things” that he lumps into his punch line? At the end of the chapter he hints at it.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (Romans 7:24–25)

Is one of “these things” conquered this dilemma of having a Savior and still having sin? Paul knows that he is delivered, but also knows that in this life sin will always reside in his flesh. How then is he delivered? The answer immediately follows these verses,

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

It is not that Paul still sins (or that I still sin) that makes him a conqueror, but that because of Jesus, there is no condemnation from God. All the condemnation that sin deserves was put on Christ. He sets His people free from the wrath of God against sin.

However, the flesh does remain a problem, so Paul describes God’s solution. He gives His people the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have the ability to serve Him instead of the flesh. For us, it is a choice.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. (Romans 8:12)

Yet there is a catch to this too. We are to “put to death the deeds of the body” and be “led by the Spirit” but this is not automatic. In fact, it is a learning process.

The story continues as Paul says we learn how to obey by suffering. We are God’s children . . . “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:17).

At this point, Paul has clarified two roads. I can choose to do whatever my flesh wants, which will not rob me of what God has done, but it will lead me into sin and death. Or I can follow the Spirit and learn how to obey Him through suffering.

At this point in the story of Christian living, some encouragement is a must. Paul offers it in his next statement. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Suffering is now and glory is a future thing. Can I endure the suffering of learning how to walk as Jesus walked without being able to see this glory in my future? I like visible rewards. Yet Paul seems to anticipate my question. He goes on:

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. . . . (Romans 8:24–26)

Again, the Holy Spirit will help me. I am weak. I don’t like to suffer. My body ached this morning and I didn’t want to get out of bed. I’ve suffered in many other ways. I’m a wuss. How will I ever deal with anything more? But he says the Spirit of God will help me. Then he offers this marvelous truth that has sustained me since I first became a Christian . . . 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. . . . (Romans 8:28–29)

When Paul said “these things” he included the “all things” in this passage. God is so powerfully involved in my life that nothing happens to me without purpose. He is working to make me like Jesus and will use good things and suffering, all things, toward that goal.

In trying to cooperate with Him, I sometimes lose sight of His love for me. It seems that life is too hard, the challenges too great. Paul, in the power of God’s Spirit, anticipated those thoughts too, because he writes this punch line about “these things.” I am blessed by his words.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31–39)

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Oh loving God, the enemy’s biggest lie is that You do not love me. He jumps in when I struggle with sin, or when my flesh seems more powerful than the Spirit of God. This lie hovers over me when I suffer and when the “all things” of life include nasty and unpleasant and unexpected things.

Yet Your love is constant. Nothing can separate me from it, not sin, accusations, trouble, even physical harm and death. You use all things, even these things, to shape me like Jesus and You do it because You love me. That is why in all these things I am a conqueror, a winner — even more than a winner. You lift me above it all because You love me. You are an awesome God and I am in awe of You because of all these things!

Why this Friday is Good

Good Friday is a sad day when I think about my sin that put Jesus on the cross. It is sad when I think about how much He suffered and the pain of bearing the guilt of the world, of every sin ever committed by everyone who ever lived. It is sad also to think that much of the world curses His name, the One who bought their freedom from sin and their opportunity to have eternal life. I’m sad too that many more have never even heard of Jesus.

However, today is “good” Friday, not just because Jesus did made an incredible sacrifice so many years ago, but because of the place He has now and the victory He has won over sin and death.

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. (Acts 5:30–32)

Jesus died, but He did not stay dead. Jesus was and is demeaned and cursed here on earth, but God has exalted Him to the highest place. He was rejected by His own, but thousands, even millions of people have accepted, believed and received Him. We know forgiveness of sins and repentance and this is why Friday is good.

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Lord, I’m also touched by the last few words in those verses. The early believers saw all of this with their own eyes, but so did the Holy Spirit. And You gave the Holy Spirit to me — so, because He lives in me, I too am a witness to these things. I didn’t see the events with my eyes, but the presence of Your Spirit in my heart affirms the reality of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I know it is true.

Today we go to a church service that remembers the sad things, but that will also remind us of the greatness of what happened at Calvary and beyond. Because of Your great power and love for sinners, today is a good day!

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Little prayers, big answers

Some will trust God for the big things, like eternal life and deliverance when in dire straits, but they laugh at those who pray about parking places and help with family spats. Their faith includes “common sense” and a claim that God gave them the ability to handle the ordinary issues of life so they don’t need to pray about small things. Was this what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:31–34)

Last night on my way to a secular quilt guild meeting, I prayed for two things. One was that I make a new friend. I sometimes feel alone at these events because so many go to them with their friends. I don’t feel like butting in. Small talk is difficult too. However, my biggest reason for joining is to build relationships with others who do not know the Lord. I need His help with this.

My second request was about involvement in the guild. Someone called me earlier asking if I’d serve on the executive or on a committee. I wasn’t certain, so asked God to show me if He wanted me to offer help, and in what capacity.

Both prayers were answered. I met some people that I knew, but when it came time to be seated, they had a spot together — no space for me. So I kept going down the row and noticed a woman sitting by herself. Almost immediately we were chatting as if we’d known one another for years.

After the meeting, we were told that the main presenter had a family problem so a substitute speaker took the podium. I’d met her before, but had not heard her story of how she started a charitable foundation in Canada that gets quilts to wounded soldiers. As she talked, the Holy Spirit nudged. I knew God wanted me to offer help. It was a bit of a surprise since I was prepared to do that for the meeting sponsors. However, we talked after the event and she told me what she really needed. The job fit my background experience and skills and is something I can do from home. We were both delighted.

As I read these verses this morning, I thought of people who would never pray about such matters. They say, “Use your brains” or something like that, without connecting their independence with the verse that tells us we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and that we are supposed to use it.

I’ve been independent much of my life, even as a Christian. I’m learning that any “I’ll do it myself” attitude always works at cross-purposes with the will of God. His thinking is far above mine. When I entered that meeting room, I thought to sit with the few people that I knew. God had other ideas and made sure I couldn’t carry out that plan.

Then I planned to get on board with the larger group sponsoring the meeting. But He had other ideas there too. He knows that me being a treasurer, or a person with a phone list, or doing any of their other volunteer positions would be a bad fit. So He rearranged the speakers and drew me to the one place where the need and the skills He gave me are a great match. He had already given me a passion for the work this speaker is doing too, so I am eager to be involved.

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God, You justify me and sent Jesus to die for my sin. These are big issues! However, Jesus also lives forever to pray for me and You graciously hear His prayers and mine. You give me all that I need, even opportunities to serve You. You answer my prayers, big and little. I am overjoyed at Your love for me and eager to share it in ways that You direct. Thank You.

Because He died and rose again . . .

One of my relatives belongs to a cult whose members do their best to imitate genuine Christianity. They adopt our words and ideas, but have different definitions for the words and believe none of the ideas. I know this because I ask questions and listen to what they say when they come to my door. The Bible warns us to not be deceived.

Last week, in conversation with this relative, I heard him say many things that sounded good. He even agreed with things I said, which is a switch from years past. However, the conversation ended at the crux of the matter. He said, “Death is man’s greatest enemy.”

I said, “But that enemy has been conquered.”

At that, he hummed, hawed, and faltered. He does not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in spite of his great confidence about his religious organization, he has no confidence at all about what will happen to him after he dies. How sad.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

In the minds of these cult members, Jesus is a created being, not God the Son. Reducing Him reduces His power. In their minds, God would not and could not become a man. He would never “lower Himself” to do that. Further, He did not really rise from the dead. Instead of a living hope, they have only a “hope so” faith and have not been delivered from its fear.

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Lord, we live in a society that is so gripped by the fear of death and dying that billions of dollars are spent to stop, reverse or somehow avoid the process. On the other hand, when people offer sympathy to my husband for his illness and he says, “We are all terminal,” most respond as if that were an astounding truth that had not occurred to them. Preoccupation with preserving life or dismissing death out of mind does not change its inevitability. Yet . . . 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27–28)

Death and judgment are bad news, at least for those who do not know the good news. However, You have taken our judgment upon yourself. This is good news! You bore my sin, the greater enemy. Because You took away my sin, death is no longer my enemy either. Such grace! Your salvation is so utterly amazing. Because You have conquered sin and death, I am set me free from fear and slavery. I now look beyond it and eagerly wait to see Your face. Praise Your name!

So be it!

Amen is a unique word. One of my dictionaries says that it was transliterated directly from Old Testament Hebrew into New Testament Greek, then into Latin and into English and many other languages. This makes it practically a universal word. Some say it is the best-known word in human speech.

People say Amen when they want to affirm their agreement with something. These days, that could be anything, but in the Bible it was associated with certainty and solemnness. It means “it is the truth” and could begin a statement of truth, even be doubled for emphasis or style. Here are two examples: 

For truly (amen), I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18)

And he said to him, “Truly, truly, (amen, amen) I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)

Amen is also used at the end of a passage in Scripture such as in Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

Amen is directly related and almost identical to the Hebrew word for “believe” (amam), or faithful, so Amen came to mean “sure” or “truly” and an expression of absolute trust and confidence. Its use was a custom that began in the Jewish synagogues and became part of Christian gatherings. When someone read or preached or offered prayer to God, the others responded with Amen. This meant that they were stating that the substance of what was said was also their own; they totally agreed with it.

It is also used one more way. As many times as I’ve read the following verse, this didn’t register in my mind until today that Amen is also a title for Jesus Christ. 

The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. (Revelation 3:14)

By calling Jesus the Amen, the Bible affirms that He is the ultimate certainty, the supreme faithful one. He is the only One that can be absolutely trusted. When I say Amen, I am claiming truth, embodied in the One who said, “I am the Truth” and affirming that I am totally agreeing with all that He is, says and does. (One note, in this verse, “beginning” means the “origin or active cause.”)

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Lord, sometimes I say Amen rather casually, such as when someone says they like a certain movie or a brand of cookie and I agree. No more. I see how this word is another way of declaring who You are. I’m actually saying one of Your names. I do not want to trivialize this because I see now the importance of this word. Besides the word itself, many rich thoughts that go with it. You are the ultimate Amen, the only secure and completely trustworthy person I know. I want to glorify You each time I say Your name, each time that I utter Amen.

A Crimson Reminder

Israel wandered from slavery in Egypt toward the land God promised them. As they neared its borders, Joshua sent spies to the city of Jericho. These spies were in enemy territory, and for some reason wound up in the house of Rahab. She told them,

I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death. (Joshua 2:8–13)

The spies were thankful that God had gone ahead of them and grateful for Rahab’s protection. They warned her to keep their presence a secret and promised to deal kindly and faithfully with her. She let them down by a rope through the window (her house was built into the city wall) and told them how to escape. They said to her,

We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. (Joshua 2:17–18)

Rahab replied, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. (Joshua 2:21)

I sit here and try to imagine my city being invaded by enemy armies. Advance soldiers come first as part of the planned attack. They come to my house. I am terrified. Nevertheless, I tell them I will not report them if they will protect me and my family. They agree and tell me to put a small sign in my window.

Whatever my reasons for doing this, I’m then placed in a position of trust. I call my family and they come to hide in my home. Soon bombs are dropping all around me. Will the soldiers keep their promise? Will I be safe? Will my family be spared? Or have they singled me out for destruction? What shall I do? Do I put up that sign?

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Lord, I sit back and think of all the promises You have made to me. I say that I trust You, but when life’s shelling starts I often forget all that You have said, panic and become anxious. The simple faith of Rahab is a rebuke to me. She might have had some anxiety, but she put out that scarlet thread to remind her that these men of God promised they would not harm her. If she could trust the oath of these spies, why do I have so much trouble remembering and trusting Your solemn promises? You are far more trustworthy than even the most dedicated and godly person.

My faith is often under attack. When the bombs start dropping, I lose my focus. Even without the bombs, far too often I simply forget what You have told me. But in spiritual war or blissful peace, I want to rest in a simple faith like Rahab. Her scarlet cord was like a sign in the window, yet in biblical history it also points to Jesus. For one thing, its color came from an insect called ‘coccus ilicis.’ The dye is extracted from the dried body of the female insect. That is, something had to die to produce this scarlet thread.

To help me focus and to remember the simple faith of Rahab, I just now tied a scarlet cord in my window.

Spiritual war

I’m not aware of what was happening in the spiritual realm yesterday, only that invisible forces were pulling me down a road that I didn’t want to travel. It seemed like both torture and war. I wanted something that I didn’t want. I was being drawn away from God but the temptation had no appeal. I went from praying to not able to pray, seeking God to feeling like I had been in a terrible car accident.

This has happened before. My prayers were specific, but the troublesome thoughts and temptations were a mis-mash without focus. It was like driving in the dark, blindfolded. I could sense the road, but something kept yanking on the wheel and it seemed that if I let go, I would wind up in the ditch. Crying out to the Lord didn’t seem to help. No destination, no directions, no map, nothing seemed clear. By suppertime, I was exhausted.

Then suddenly it was gone. I still cannot figure out what was happening, but that awful road trip ended. I slept quickly and soundly. This morning I woke with a bit of lingering confusion that soon vanished and left me wanting to see Jesus. He is the way. He makes clear the road of life. He is also the destination and my roadmap. I need Him to make sense of things, and even if He doesn’t, I need His comforting presence and assurance.

Spurgeon’s devotional for today led me to these verses and filled me with awe. God always knows what I am thinking and what I need to hear. 

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (John 12:20–21)

Perhaps these Greeks were curious. They may have heard about His miracles and wanted to see what He looked like, a mere mortal man compared to their myriad of gods. Some of them may have been ill and heard about His healing powers. They could have wanted some of that for themselves.

Whatever they wanted, they wanted to see Jesus. The next verses give the response Jesus gave toward their request. The Bible says nothing else about them or whether they ever did get to see Him, yet the answer Jesus gave is powerful and gives light to my confusion.

Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:22–26)

Reading this speaks to me first about my own desires to be with Jesus. Is this for myself, just to make me feel better?  If so, I need to pay attention. Jesus talks of His death and the results from dying that the disciples could not yet see. They had no idea that unless Jesus died, there would be no everlasting fruit. He needed to yield up His life.

In that context, Jesus points to my death, not a physical death but an abandonment of all things pertaining to this life. If I want eternal results, then I need to yield up the temporary goodies that this life promises. This is about sin, but also about all the good things that life offers. I know that whatever I gain in a material sense will be lost anyway. The only things that last are those eternal gains, but Jesus reminds me that this fruit will not be produced unless I give up and die toward the temporary stuff.

Do I list it? Some things are obvious, like possessions. None of them last. Some are gone in weeks or months. All things material deteriorate and wind up in the junk pile.

It’s the same with intangibles including fame and success. I watched part of a hockey game last night and remembered our city’s hero, Wayne Gretsky. His trophies are memories. The glory fades. So it is with my glory. It does not last, is soon replaced. Even memories become fuzzy and are lost.

The list of the temporary is longer than this, but His point is made. Serving Jesus means following Him and turning my back on those things that do not last. While I cannot abandon responsibilities like washing sinks and sweeping floors, nothing can be considered precious and none of my selfish “I wants” will last. Even in doing what I need to do each day, Jesus must be the center. He directs, empowers, is glorified and is the focus of it all.

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Lord, I still don’t know exactly what yesterday’s war was about. It might have been related to my prayers for others (and the devil wanted me to stop). It might have been about those confusing and shifting temptations to my own spiritual welfare. Either way, I do know that You win. You conquered death, but You also rule over life. All that happens is under Your watchful eye. All that comes at me is by Your permission so that You can use it for my good. I do not understand everything or even much of anything, yet I do know that seeing You and being with You dissolves my pressing need to know. You will direct me through to my destination. Because You are in the driver’s seat, I don’t need to touch the wheel.