God’s to-do list . . .

Joshua 4; Psalms 129–131; Isaiah 64; Matthew 12

One day I was praying about the mess in the world and fretting over bad news, even telling God what to do about it. In almost a humorous whisper, I heard Him say, “Elsie, get out of My to-do list.”

Since then, I’ve paid careful attention to what God alone can do. Those thoughts shape my prayers, especially these days. I see a great need in the world and in the church for Jesus Christ to be exalted and worshiped. He alone can bring order to chaos. He can also use the chaos to unite His people in faith.

This morning, I’m encouraged to read of how He did that in history. His Word affirms that He can do it again. The verses from Joshua show His power to exalt Christian leaders and put people in awe of His Son. On the day that His people crossed the Jordan into the promised land, “The Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.” (Joshua 4:14)

The people who honored Joshua had also been in awe of Moses. He had given them God’s law and even though they struggled to keep His law, they respected it also. Could it be that before the world will honor Jesus, they must also respect the righteousness of God that is revealed in His commands? If that is required, is there any hope for humanity? So many seem to despise the Lord. How can they change their minds?

Sadly, Romans 3 says no one seeks God but the rest of the NT tells how God seeks the lost and how His mercy and grace change lives. When I pray, I’m encouraged by the history of redemption and also verses like this from the OT that show the power of God to turn sinful people around: “May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!” (Psalm 129:5)

That verse led me to check out Zion. Was the Psalmist using poetic language for something other than a place? I found Zion is the name of a religious center, not only for Israel, but for the entire world. The OT prophets also indicate that Zion is the central location for God’s future great deeds of salvation. He will cleanse sin and redeem sinners. He will “lay a precious cornerstone in Zion” referring to Jesus Christ. He will secure His people from their enemies and our lives will become fruitful as God saves us and rules over us.

Lest anyone thinks that sin is an obsolete word and that people are basically good, Jesus Christ did not agree. He said to the religious leaders of His day:

“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:34–35)

Only the blind fail to see evil in this world. Killing, strife, greed and much more are rampant. The daily news puts pleas in my heart and mouth. I pray that God would act in power and grace, turning things around and bringing glory to His Name. I agree with Isaiah’s prayer:

“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:1–4)

APPLY: Humanity is helpless to fix the mess we are in. All we can do is speak to the One who can . . .  and look to His mercy to help us. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5) He gives me a to-do list and still says that I must stay out of His list — for no one can do what God can do, no matter how hard we try.

 

Glad to live here and have a good job description

Joshua 3; Psalms 126–128; Isaiah 63; Matthew 11

Happy Canada Day! This is a great place to live!

Hundreds of years ago, God gave His people a great place to live too. The first chapters of Joshua describe the beginning of that new life. Moses, who gave them God’s Law, passed leadership to Joshua, whose name means Jehovah saves, the same meaning as the name of Jesus. The main event is crossing a river. God instructs Joshua that the priests go first. They carry the Ark of the Covenant and when their feet enter the water it stops flowing upstream and the people cross on dry land.

I wondered why this? When Moses led the people out of bondage in Egypt, they crossed water too, but all Moses had to do was give the order by lifting his staff. One of my commentaries explains: “When the symbol of God’s presence is in the river, the waters will miraculously cease to flow.”

God’s still small whisper often says things that stop me in awe. Is this important event pointing to a truth about the role of priests? I looked it up in a Hebrew word book and found their primary function was to officiate at the sanctuary and pray on behalf of the people. They were also to set a personal example of holiness, to inquire of God, teach the law and serve as judges. Priests were the first to enter the promised land.

In other words, the priests were more than a symbol. They are also intercessors who take the needs and sacrifices of the people before the Lord, offering them on their behalf. In this case, the Promised Land was the place where God’s people would live out the fullness that God wanted for them. They had to obey God but the priests had a huge role in leading the way and showing them how to live, as did the prophets and kings who came later.

My word book goes on to say that the OT priests were types of Christ. He accomplished the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the people. The prophets later suggest a future reappearance of Levites. For instance, Jeremiah 33:18 says, “the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.” This points to Christ however the NT also says Christians are a priesthood also:

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4–5)

God’s whisper hints that this story in the OT illustrates the truth to come in the NT, that Jesus is my high priest who leads me into the life that He promised, a full and abundant life. Since the Bible also says I am part of His holy priesthood, this reinforces my role in His kingdom of being an intercessor that leads others by prayer and example into the fullness of life in Christ. I am immediately on my knees. This is huge, seems impossible. I don’t see it. Yet God, as He often does, tells me I am not to walk by sight but by faith. Then He adds these thoughts . . .

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” (Psalm 128:1–2)

“ . . . Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.” (Isaiah 63:11–14)

“ . . .  Jesus declared, ‘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.’” (Matthew 11:25–26)

APPLY: Worship the Lord who has given me a place in His kingdom as one of His many priests. All of us are to intercede for His people and for those not yet His people. Sometimes I become impatient or fatigued with praying, but He encourages me with His Word and with knowing Jesus lives forever to intercede for me. I must keep on doing the same.