John 9:1: "As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'"
The prevailing understanding of illness in antiquity was that it was the result of sin in the life of either the person suffering the affliction or some close companion with whom the person associated. In this story, the disciples prematurely had concluded that the blindness of the man was necessarily the result of his own sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus countered this false assumption with the bold declaration that the man's blindness was serving the purpose of displaying the work of God. Specifically, Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem to be crucified for the sins of the world. While on this trek, He desired to demonstrate that it was He who would bring sight to the spiritually blind. For the people of Israel, there was an understanding that only God (the Messiah) could provide physical and spiritual sight for blindness (Exodus 4:11; Psalm 146:8; Isaiah 35:5); thus, Jesus was asserting that He (God) was the appropriate, perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus, in being the sinless Divine One, could only provide the sufficient payment for the transgressions of a fallen humanity.
Therefore, the blind man, who had endured blindness for many years through his childhood and adulthood was serving the purpose of bringing glory to God through God's demonstrative act of power, bringing deliverance. The result was not only physical healing of sight for the man but spiritual healing through the man's yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (John 9:38).
A similar story of tragedy turned to triumph for the Lord occurred in the life of John Milton. The 17th-century English writer was noted for his profound writing and oratory skills. Early in life, Milton was quite accomplished in the classical languages and earned two degrees from Cambridge University. At the age of 40 he was invited by Oliver Cromwell to serve in the government. This aspiring young man was passionate for learning, and he found himself quickly gaining notoriety in England. Yet within three years, Milton found himself completely blind. What is noteworthy is not so much Milton's accomplishments prior to his physical handicap, but his attainments thereafter; for Milton's works, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained were penned during this later era of his life. What I have found so inspirational is the poem that he penned near the age of 80:
On His Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied,"
I fondly ask; But patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts, who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best, his state
Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."
In this poem, Milton proclaims that his physical handicap served to incline his soul to serve his Maker all the more. He came to appreciate that God was (and forever is) not in need of man's gifts or work; what God desires is for man to submit to the yoke of His Lordship in his life. Glory to God is not necessarily found in a man's accomplishments, but in His willingness to surrender to the King of kings and permit Him to work out His purposes through the life he has . . . no matter what limitations are present.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
God Works Even In Apparent Hopelessness
Acts 27:23: "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul . . . God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'"
There were 276 people on board the Alexandrian ship that sailed from Crete for Italy. The apostle Paul was on board the ship as a prisoner being sent to Caesar in Rome. Previously he had been charged by the Jewish religious leadership in Judea as being a "troublemaker and rioter . . . who desired to desecrate the temple" (Acts 24:20). Having been taken to Caesarea to stand trial before the Roman Procurators, Felix and later Festus, Paul discredited all the charges made against him except one. Paul admitted that he "worshipped the God of (the Jewish) fathers as a follower of the Way . . . having the hope in God that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked" (Acts 24:14-15).
From Fair Havens, they set out for Phoenix on the northwest side of Crete, but a nor'easter caught them and carried them westward 14 days until the ship reached the shores of Malta, hundreds of miles away from their intended destination. The people on board had given up hope of being saved (Acts 27:20); however, God triumphed over the storm because He had a purpose for Paul: to stand before Caesar and present His precious gospel (27:24).
As a gift to Paul, God determined that He would spare the lives of everyone on board . . . God worked the miraculous in an otherwise hopeless predicament, so that His Divine purposes would be accomplished.
As Psalm 24:1 aptly states, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." God is in complete control of every situation that we may encounter, and He works all things in accordance to His will, to the praise of His glorious grace. When we begin to fathom God at this level of majestic Holiness, we will find ourselves responding not unlike the prophet, Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 1:28b: "When I saw the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD, I fell face down." Our consequent response to God's glory should be awe and obedience. Paul understood this quite well, for in the Acts passage cited above, he boldly proclaimed that he was the LORD's possession and therefore he served His LORD faithfully.
There were 276 people on board the Alexandrian ship that sailed from Crete for Italy. The apostle Paul was on board the ship as a prisoner being sent to Caesar in Rome. Previously he had been charged by the Jewish religious leadership in Judea as being a "troublemaker and rioter . . . who desired to desecrate the temple" (Acts 24:20). Having been taken to Caesarea to stand trial before the Roman Procurators, Felix and later Festus, Paul discredited all the charges made against him except one. Paul admitted that he "worshipped the God of (the Jewish) fathers as a follower of the Way . . . having the hope in God that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked" (Acts 24:14-15).
From Fair Havens, they set out for Phoenix on the northwest side of Crete, but a nor'easter caught them and carried them westward 14 days until the ship reached the shores of Malta, hundreds of miles away from their intended destination. The people on board had given up hope of being saved (Acts 27:20); however, God triumphed over the storm because He had a purpose for Paul: to stand before Caesar and present His precious gospel (27:24).
As a gift to Paul, God determined that He would spare the lives of everyone on board . . . God worked the miraculous in an otherwise hopeless predicament, so that His Divine purposes would be accomplished.
As Psalm 24:1 aptly states, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." God is in complete control of every situation that we may encounter, and He works all things in accordance to His will, to the praise of His glorious grace. When we begin to fathom God at this level of majestic Holiness, we will find ourselves responding not unlike the prophet, Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 1:28b: "When I saw the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD, I fell face down." Our consequent response to God's glory should be awe and obedience. Paul understood this quite well, for in the Acts passage cited above, he boldly proclaimed that he was the LORD's possession and therefore he served His LORD faithfully.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Life Doesn't Always Make Sense
I Samuel 20:1,3b: "Then David fled from Naioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, 'What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life? . . . . As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.'"
Life doesn't always make sense. Certainly for David, the loyal subject of King Saul, the fact that the king would desire to take David's life made no sense. David had just brought victory to the Israelites through his defeat of the Philistine, Goliath. I Samuel 18:5 tells us that in everything that Saul sent David to do, David was very successful. Because the hand of the Lord was upon David, he was more successful than all of the other officers of the King, and David became a highly recognized figure in Palestine.
King Saul noticed that David was extremely successful in all he did for the king; Saul became jealous that the praise of his subjects was being diverted from him, and he was fearful that David's success might result in the king's overthrow. From that time forward, Saul sought ways to take the life of David in order that he could thwart any future attempt upon his throne. Saul's jealousy was unwarranted, for David was completely loyal to his king; there should have been no question in the king's mind that his subject was committed to him.
Despite his faithfulness to the king, David was dumbfounded that the king would attempt to take his servant's life. I'm sure that David had many restless nights wondering what he had done to deserve such a response from Saul.
Sometimes life presents us with questions that are not answered easily. At times, we may find ourselves questioning why we are traversing such a painful path, when it seems that we've been faithful. Although David did not have all the answers, he still committed himself to the Lord. David did not waiver in his obedience to God despite the perplexity of his circumstances. In the end, God worked all things in accordance with His will . . . to bring judgment upon Saul and to establish David's throne for eternity (2 Samuel 7:16).
Years later when David was the king, God communicated to David that He had never left David during those perilous times (2 Samuel 7:9). Despite the pain and uncertainty of that time when David was fleeing for his life, God used that time to teach David the need to depend completely upon the Lord. David seems to have learned an invaluable lesson through this ordeal, for later he would pen the words of Psalm 40 that seem to reflect his increasing faith in the Lord: "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:1-3).
May we have the same resolve to put our complete trust in the LORD when life's experiences make no sense to us.
Life doesn't always make sense. Certainly for David, the loyal subject of King Saul, the fact that the king would desire to take David's life made no sense. David had just brought victory to the Israelites through his defeat of the Philistine, Goliath. I Samuel 18:5 tells us that in everything that Saul sent David to do, David was very successful. Because the hand of the Lord was upon David, he was more successful than all of the other officers of the King, and David became a highly recognized figure in Palestine.
King Saul noticed that David was extremely successful in all he did for the king; Saul became jealous that the praise of his subjects was being diverted from him, and he was fearful that David's success might result in the king's overthrow. From that time forward, Saul sought ways to take the life of David in order that he could thwart any future attempt upon his throne. Saul's jealousy was unwarranted, for David was completely loyal to his king; there should have been no question in the king's mind that his subject was committed to him.
Despite his faithfulness to the king, David was dumbfounded that the king would attempt to take his servant's life. I'm sure that David had many restless nights wondering what he had done to deserve such a response from Saul.
Sometimes life presents us with questions that are not answered easily. At times, we may find ourselves questioning why we are traversing such a painful path, when it seems that we've been faithful. Although David did not have all the answers, he still committed himself to the Lord. David did not waiver in his obedience to God despite the perplexity of his circumstances. In the end, God worked all things in accordance with His will . . . to bring judgment upon Saul and to establish David's throne for eternity (2 Samuel 7:16).
Years later when David was the king, God communicated to David that He had never left David during those perilous times (2 Samuel 7:9). Despite the pain and uncertainty of that time when David was fleeing for his life, God used that time to teach David the need to depend completely upon the Lord. David seems to have learned an invaluable lesson through this ordeal, for later he would pen the words of Psalm 40 that seem to reflect his increasing faith in the Lord: "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:1-3).
May we have the same resolve to put our complete trust in the LORD when life's experiences make no sense to us.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Respect Everyone
Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
Just prior to this statement, Jesus had experienced the Transfiguration in which He appeared in glorious splendor before his disciples, Peter, James, and John. Yet even with this magnificent display of God's greatness, the disciples were not overly impressed; for, following this majestic presentation of God, the disciples argued among themselves as to who was the greatest. Jesus previously had given the disciples the power to cure diseases, to cast out demons, and to preach the gospel. With their ministry "successes," the disciples developed the "I'm the greatest!" syndrome and took their eyes off of worshipping the true Lord. Instantly, their Divinely-provided power was gone, and they were unable to achieve anything that they previously accomplished. Still, this loss of Divine power did not seem deter their consumption with personal greatness.
Knowing the disciples' thoughts, Jesus responded by calling a small child into their presence. This child would have had little respect among his people due to his lack of years, experience, and contribution to society; yet, this child would have been humble and responsive enough to be obedient to the proper authority figures in his life. Jesus used this illustration to teach the disciples that they needed to have this same level of humility and pliable spirit in their adulthood if they wanted to be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. God had no use for haughtiness and self-centeredness; He desired His people to be submissive to His Sovereign Right as Lord.
Arrogance had (and has) no place in God's plans and purposes. When we begin to think too highly of ourselves to the detriment of others, not only do we lose our effectiveness for the kingdom, but we have to deal with God's response to such a prideful spirit. Most sobering is the passage mentioned above, namely that the angels proclaim before God's throne when one of His humble servants are denigrated by the arrogant and the self-centered. God is not willing to be mocked (Galatians 6:7); nor will He tolerate the contempt of His loyal subjects who one day will be the greatest in His eternal kingdom.
Just prior to this statement, Jesus had experienced the Transfiguration in which He appeared in glorious splendor before his disciples, Peter, James, and John. Yet even with this magnificent display of God's greatness, the disciples were not overly impressed; for, following this majestic presentation of God, the disciples argued among themselves as to who was the greatest. Jesus previously had given the disciples the power to cure diseases, to cast out demons, and to preach the gospel. With their ministry "successes," the disciples developed the "I'm the greatest!" syndrome and took their eyes off of worshipping the true Lord. Instantly, their Divinely-provided power was gone, and they were unable to achieve anything that they previously accomplished. Still, this loss of Divine power did not seem deter their consumption with personal greatness.
Knowing the disciples' thoughts, Jesus responded by calling a small child into their presence. This child would have had little respect among his people due to his lack of years, experience, and contribution to society; yet, this child would have been humble and responsive enough to be obedient to the proper authority figures in his life. Jesus used this illustration to teach the disciples that they needed to have this same level of humility and pliable spirit in their adulthood if they wanted to be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. God had no use for haughtiness and self-centeredness; He desired His people to be submissive to His Sovereign Right as Lord.
Arrogance had (and has) no place in God's plans and purposes. When we begin to think too highly of ourselves to the detriment of others, not only do we lose our effectiveness for the kingdom, but we have to deal with God's response to such a prideful spirit. Most sobering is the passage mentioned above, namely that the angels proclaim before God's throne when one of His humble servants are denigrated by the arrogant and the self-centered. God is not willing to be mocked (Galatians 6:7); nor will He tolerate the contempt of His loyal subjects who one day will be the greatest in His eternal kingdom.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
What's The Purpose of the Sabbath?
Ezekiel 20:12: "Also I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy."
In Ezekiel 20, the elders of Israel had come to inquire of the LORD, but the LORD would not respond to them due to their rebellion in following false gods. Their licentious behavior was worthy of God's wrath; still, God had chosen these people from all the nations of the earth to inhabit His Promised Land. Although each generation of Israelites from the past seemed to defile themselves by following after their selfish desires, God still wanted them to know that if they were submissive and obedient to Him as Lord, He would bless them with the land "flowing with milk and honey."
The LORD mentioned that the purpose of the Sabbath was for His people to see that they were set apart for the purpose of God's pouring out His blessing upon them uniquely, if they would simply surrender themselves to His Lordship. As the Sabbath was one day set apart from the others as a time of rest and meditation upon the LORD, so too it was a teaching tool of the LORD to let the Israelites know that they were called out and set apart by God as His chosen people. Tragically, the chapter continues by stating that the Israelites desecrated the LORD's Sabbath through their rebellion, idolatry, and immorality. They did not take the time to reflect upon the unmerited goodness of the LORD by His choosing them to receive His divine blessings.
For Christians today, we would do well to reflect upon this passage as a reminder that we should take time to meditate upon the goodness of our God in calling us out to receive His divine blessings. When we succumb to the demands of this ephemeral life, we can lose sight of the gift of grace that God has bestowed to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. We MUST consecrate time from our hectic schedules to meditate upon the LORD and His choosing us to be part of His royal family. To fail to reflect regularly upon our God and His gift of holiness to us is to fall into the temptation of self-centeredness. And when we lose focus on our Lord, we will most assuredly become the rebellious, self-indulged people not unlike the Israelites mentioned in Ezekiel 20.
In Ezekiel 20, the elders of Israel had come to inquire of the LORD, but the LORD would not respond to them due to their rebellion in following false gods. Their licentious behavior was worthy of God's wrath; still, God had chosen these people from all the nations of the earth to inhabit His Promised Land. Although each generation of Israelites from the past seemed to defile themselves by following after their selfish desires, God still wanted them to know that if they were submissive and obedient to Him as Lord, He would bless them with the land "flowing with milk and honey."
The LORD mentioned that the purpose of the Sabbath was for His people to see that they were set apart for the purpose of God's pouring out His blessing upon them uniquely, if they would simply surrender themselves to His Lordship. As the Sabbath was one day set apart from the others as a time of rest and meditation upon the LORD, so too it was a teaching tool of the LORD to let the Israelites know that they were called out and set apart by God as His chosen people. Tragically, the chapter continues by stating that the Israelites desecrated the LORD's Sabbath through their rebellion, idolatry, and immorality. They did not take the time to reflect upon the unmerited goodness of the LORD by His choosing them to receive His divine blessings.
For Christians today, we would do well to reflect upon this passage as a reminder that we should take time to meditate upon the goodness of our God in calling us out to receive His divine blessings. When we succumb to the demands of this ephemeral life, we can lose sight of the gift of grace that God has bestowed to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. We MUST consecrate time from our hectic schedules to meditate upon the LORD and His choosing us to be part of His royal family. To fail to reflect regularly upon our God and His gift of holiness to us is to fall into the temptation of self-centeredness. And when we lose focus on our Lord, we will most assuredly become the rebellious, self-indulged people not unlike the Israelites mentioned in Ezekiel 20.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Obedience over Ritual
I Samuel 15:22b-23: “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”
This familiar passage comes from the somewhat unfamiliar background of Israel’s first king. King Saul previously had been anointed king by God over all of Israel; however, Saul’s arrogance would lead to the loss of Divine blessing for his royal rule. In I Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel had instructed Saul to destroy the neighboring enemies, the Amalekites, who since the time of Moses had sought to destroy the Israelites and thus prohibit their entrance into the Promised Land. God had been specific; everything was to be destroyed so that no remnant would remain of these pagan people.
Despite this explicit command from the Lord, Saul decided that he would handle his victory over the Amalekites according to his own choosing. Saul decided to keep the choicest livestock and harvest for himself and encouraged his army to do likewise; Saul also decided to preserve the captured Amalekite king, Agag, as his tribute for victory.
God responded with grief at the recalcitrance of the Israelite king. He sent Samuel to find Saul; however, Saul was busy at Mt.Carmel setting up a monument in his own honor. When Samuel confronted Saul for his disobedience, Saul attempted to deflect the blame to his army, saying, “the soldiers brought the best from the Amalekites” (15:15). King Saul then attempted to challenge Samuel’s rebuke by saying that he had been obedient to the Lord’s command. Saul conveniently reworded the command of the Lord to be consistent with his defiant behavior. The Israelite King thought if he could re-phrase what the command was originally, then he may be exonerated for his rebellious spirit.
Samuel would have nothing to do with such lying and excuse making. He told King Saul that God had rejected him as the king, for Saul in effect worshipped himself over God through such acts of rebellion. Even after this divine edict, Saul confessed to Samuel that he had sinned, but this “act of repentance” was merely an attempt to avoid punishment, for again the king blamed the people for being so demanding of him to commit such sin.
As Samuel turned to leave the presence of the king, Saul caught the prophet’s robe to halt his exit. In his attempted restraint of Samuel, the prophet’s robe was torn; in response, Samuel decreed that Saul’s kingdom would be torn away from him and given to “one better.”
As the verse quoted above mentions, Saul’s rebellion was not unlike the practice of divination. From this word, “divination” one can see the word “divine.” In effect, Saul attempted to assert his own pursuit of divinity by renouncing the command of the Lord in favor of his own appetites. His attitude of arrogance clearly was demonstrated by his pursuit of his own victory monument; and his subsequent attempts to blame others and to distort the truth of God’s command was nothing more than a subversive move to justify his behavior.
We would do well to learn from the patterns of this once famous first king of Israel. Although King Saul went through the motions of religious ceremony; he was more interested in worshipping himself than the true God. This idolatry led to his untimely death as well as his loss of the kingdom for his descendants. The king was stellar in external action, but his heart revealed a sinister corruption and defiance that would be reckoned with by the Lord. We must remember that obedience to the Lord is of utmost importance; merely going through the motions of “religiosity” will never suffice.
This familiar passage comes from the somewhat unfamiliar background of Israel’s first king. King Saul previously had been anointed king by God over all of Israel; however, Saul’s arrogance would lead to the loss of Divine blessing for his royal rule. In I Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel had instructed Saul to destroy the neighboring enemies, the Amalekites, who since the time of Moses had sought to destroy the Israelites and thus prohibit their entrance into the Promised Land. God had been specific; everything was to be destroyed so that no remnant would remain of these pagan people.
Despite this explicit command from the Lord, Saul decided that he would handle his victory over the Amalekites according to his own choosing. Saul decided to keep the choicest livestock and harvest for himself and encouraged his army to do likewise; Saul also decided to preserve the captured Amalekite king, Agag, as his tribute for victory.
God responded with grief at the recalcitrance of the Israelite king. He sent Samuel to find Saul; however, Saul was busy at Mt.Carmel setting up a monument in his own honor. When Samuel confronted Saul for his disobedience, Saul attempted to deflect the blame to his army, saying, “the soldiers brought the best from the Amalekites” (15:15). King Saul then attempted to challenge Samuel’s rebuke by saying that he had been obedient to the Lord’s command. Saul conveniently reworded the command of the Lord to be consistent with his defiant behavior. The Israelite King thought if he could re-phrase what the command was originally, then he may be exonerated for his rebellious spirit.
Samuel would have nothing to do with such lying and excuse making. He told King Saul that God had rejected him as the king, for Saul in effect worshipped himself over God through such acts of rebellion. Even after this divine edict, Saul confessed to Samuel that he had sinned, but this “act of repentance” was merely an attempt to avoid punishment, for again the king blamed the people for being so demanding of him to commit such sin.
As Samuel turned to leave the presence of the king, Saul caught the prophet’s robe to halt his exit. In his attempted restraint of Samuel, the prophet’s robe was torn; in response, Samuel decreed that Saul’s kingdom would be torn away from him and given to “one better.”
As the verse quoted above mentions, Saul’s rebellion was not unlike the practice of divination. From this word, “divination” one can see the word “divine.” In effect, Saul attempted to assert his own pursuit of divinity by renouncing the command of the Lord in favor of his own appetites. His attitude of arrogance clearly was demonstrated by his pursuit of his own victory monument; and his subsequent attempts to blame others and to distort the truth of God’s command was nothing more than a subversive move to justify his behavior.
We would do well to learn from the patterns of this once famous first king of Israel. Although King Saul went through the motions of religious ceremony; he was more interested in worshipping himself than the true God. This idolatry led to his untimely death as well as his loss of the kingdom for his descendants. The king was stellar in external action, but his heart revealed a sinister corruption and defiance that would be reckoned with by the Lord. We must remember that obedience to the Lord is of utmost importance; merely going through the motions of “religiosity” will never suffice.
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Holy Spirit Transforms Lives
1 Samuel 10:6: "The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you."
This chapter is the account of Saul, a Benjamite, being anointed king by the prophet Samuel, under the direction of God. The Israelites had cried out to the LORD to have a king so that they could be like the other nations; and God granted them their request, although He knew that these obstinate people were rejecting Him as their Sovereign Ruler (1 Samuel 8:7-8). When Samuel first approached Saul, Saul questioned Samuel's declaration that the Benjamite was to be made king. He said, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?" (9:21).
But because God had ordained Saul to be the first king of the Israelites, the Holy Spirit came upon Saul in power; and as a result of that divine encounter, Saul was transformed into a different person. First Saul's heart was changed (10:9). Saul realized that this calling was from the LORD, who would give him the strength to fulfill that calling. Secondly, Saul was anointed with unique gifts. In I Samuel 10:10, one reads that Saul received the ability to prophesy with the prophets before the people. Such a transformation was quite noticeable to the people and they said, "What has happened to the son of Kish?" They were amazed at the transformation that had taken place through the power of God.
God then changed the hearts of the valiant men of Israel, who received confirmation in their spirits that God had appointed Saul to be king. When God calls one to a task, He will raise up His followers to affirm such a calling in one's life.
Saul quickly faced a serious issue when his people were faced with an invasion by their Ammonite enemies. The once timid personality who previously questioned God's decision to anoint him as king, would now under the power of God make a demonstrative statement to his people that they would fight to protect their brothers in Jabesh Gilead. Saul took two of his own oxen and cut them into pieces and had the pieces distributed throughout Israel. Packaged with the pieces of flesh was a dictate that anyone who would chose not to support Saul and Samuel would see the same fate for their livestock. If there were any who questioned Saul's leadership, they were silenced now by this declaration. Scripture says that the "terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man" (1 Samuel 11:7). God had changed the hearts of the people to respect their new leader, and the people were unified under this new king.
After their military victory, some of the early supporters of Saul wanted to put to death those who once questioned Saul's calling as king; however, Saul demonstrated mercy to his subjects in his kingdom. Saul declared that no one would be put to death, for the LORD had brought victory to the Israelites. Saul knew that it was not his own innate abilities that had brought the deliverance of the Israelites at Jabesh Gilead, but it was the power of God working through the king and his people. Thus having received mercy from God through the military victory, Saul now wanted to continue that mercy to his people.
This entire story brings to mind the passage in the New Testament found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new had come!" Just as king Saul was transformed in his heart, in his giftedness, and in his bestowal of mercy to others, so too the follower of Jesus Christ experiences these same blessings through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are changed to be receptive to the direction and leadership of the Lord in our lives. God then blesses us with demonstrative gifts to be used to transform lives and further His kingdom. Lastly, God gives us the ability to project mercy to others, since we have received God's grace through Jesus Christ.
God initiates these blessings in our lives, and to Him is all praise due for His abundant grace and love.
This chapter is the account of Saul, a Benjamite, being anointed king by the prophet Samuel, under the direction of God. The Israelites had cried out to the LORD to have a king so that they could be like the other nations; and God granted them their request, although He knew that these obstinate people were rejecting Him as their Sovereign Ruler (1 Samuel 8:7-8). When Samuel first approached Saul, Saul questioned Samuel's declaration that the Benjamite was to be made king. He said, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?" (9:21).
But because God had ordained Saul to be the first king of the Israelites, the Holy Spirit came upon Saul in power; and as a result of that divine encounter, Saul was transformed into a different person. First Saul's heart was changed (10:9). Saul realized that this calling was from the LORD, who would give him the strength to fulfill that calling. Secondly, Saul was anointed with unique gifts. In I Samuel 10:10, one reads that Saul received the ability to prophesy with the prophets before the people. Such a transformation was quite noticeable to the people and they said, "What has happened to the son of Kish?" They were amazed at the transformation that had taken place through the power of God.
God then changed the hearts of the valiant men of Israel, who received confirmation in their spirits that God had appointed Saul to be king. When God calls one to a task, He will raise up His followers to affirm such a calling in one's life.
Saul quickly faced a serious issue when his people were faced with an invasion by their Ammonite enemies. The once timid personality who previously questioned God's decision to anoint him as king, would now under the power of God make a demonstrative statement to his people that they would fight to protect their brothers in Jabesh Gilead. Saul took two of his own oxen and cut them into pieces and had the pieces distributed throughout Israel. Packaged with the pieces of flesh was a dictate that anyone who would chose not to support Saul and Samuel would see the same fate for their livestock. If there were any who questioned Saul's leadership, they were silenced now by this declaration. Scripture says that the "terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man" (1 Samuel 11:7). God had changed the hearts of the people to respect their new leader, and the people were unified under this new king.
After their military victory, some of the early supporters of Saul wanted to put to death those who once questioned Saul's calling as king; however, Saul demonstrated mercy to his subjects in his kingdom. Saul declared that no one would be put to death, for the LORD had brought victory to the Israelites. Saul knew that it was not his own innate abilities that had brought the deliverance of the Israelites at Jabesh Gilead, but it was the power of God working through the king and his people. Thus having received mercy from God through the military victory, Saul now wanted to continue that mercy to his people.
This entire story brings to mind the passage in the New Testament found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new had come!" Just as king Saul was transformed in his heart, in his giftedness, and in his bestowal of mercy to others, so too the follower of Jesus Christ experiences these same blessings through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are changed to be receptive to the direction and leadership of the Lord in our lives. God then blesses us with demonstrative gifts to be used to transform lives and further His kingdom. Lastly, God gives us the ability to project mercy to others, since we have received God's grace through Jesus Christ.
God initiates these blessings in our lives, and to Him is all praise due for His abundant grace and love.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Death is Swallowed in Victory
1 Corinthians 15:26,54-55: "The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'"
When man chose to rebel against the holiness of God by partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he knew that God had declared previously that death was the consequence for this rebellion. Still Adam and Eve, the first humans to be created by God, chose to commit cosmic treason against the Sovereign Lord by trying to usurp His Rightful Throne. God then pronounced His Divine judgment upon humanity, and banned our fore-parents from the Garden of Eden and placed guardian cherubs with flaming swords at its entrance to protect the tree of life from being consumed. At first glance, it seems that God's prohibition of our consumption of such a tree that would bring life is rather calloused and hardhearted; however, when one begins to reflect upon this protective response to our sin, one can see that God really loves us and desires to save us from the terrible effects of our sin. For if humanity would have consumed the tree of life after having sinned against the LORD, then our eternal state would have been one of witnessing the ever wasting away of our bodies without the deliverance from the consequences of sin. Many of you may have visited people whose declining health had led them to a point of incapacitation. What a tragedy it would be for us to experience this process of continuous, eternal, physical and spiritual decline without the hope of deliverance through death. In God's act of judgment of proscribing death for man's sin; He in fact was merciful in providing a way of escape. Death separates us from the physical effects of sin, whereupon we are ushered into the presence of God Himself.
This reality makes Jesus Christ's resurrection even more significant. His victory over death through His bodily resurrection assures the believer in Christ the hope of being resurrected imperishable and immortal. And when the follower of Jesus Christ experiences this wonderful reunion of body and spirit in the state of sinless perfection, free from decay (as God originally intended), then he can truly say, "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
When man chose to rebel against the holiness of God by partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he knew that God had declared previously that death was the consequence for this rebellion. Still Adam and Eve, the first humans to be created by God, chose to commit cosmic treason against the Sovereign Lord by trying to usurp His Rightful Throne. God then pronounced His Divine judgment upon humanity, and banned our fore-parents from the Garden of Eden and placed guardian cherubs with flaming swords at its entrance to protect the tree of life from being consumed. At first glance, it seems that God's prohibition of our consumption of such a tree that would bring life is rather calloused and hardhearted; however, when one begins to reflect upon this protective response to our sin, one can see that God really loves us and desires to save us from the terrible effects of our sin. For if humanity would have consumed the tree of life after having sinned against the LORD, then our eternal state would have been one of witnessing the ever wasting away of our bodies without the deliverance from the consequences of sin. Many of you may have visited people whose declining health had led them to a point of incapacitation. What a tragedy it would be for us to experience this process of continuous, eternal, physical and spiritual decline without the hope of deliverance through death. In God's act of judgment of proscribing death for man's sin; He in fact was merciful in providing a way of escape. Death separates us from the physical effects of sin, whereupon we are ushered into the presence of God Himself.
This reality makes Jesus Christ's resurrection even more significant. His victory over death through His bodily resurrection assures the believer in Christ the hope of being resurrected imperishable and immortal. And when the follower of Jesus Christ experiences this wonderful reunion of body and spirit in the state of sinless perfection, free from decay (as God originally intended), then he can truly say, "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
Saturday, December 8, 2007
When God Hides His Word
I Samuel 3:1: “In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.”
The early chapters of I Samuel reveal a people whose spiritual leaders were corrupt . . . completely devoid of submission and obedience to the LORD. The sons of the chief priest, Eli, were particularly despicable in their handling of their office as priests. These two men, Hophi and Phinehas, gorged themselves on the sacrificial food offerings brought by the people. They were supposed to commit the sacrifices first to the Lord by placing them into a boiling kettle, then they were to pick out with a pronged fork a portion that they would consume themselves. The first fruits were the LORD’s; they were to honor the LORD first before their own physical needs. In contrast, however, these priests would threaten the people who brought food sacrifices to the LORD by demanding these offerings for themselves immediately. They warned that if they did not receive the uncooked meat, they would take it by force. God referred to their actions as “treating the LORD’s offering with contempt” (2:17).
These same religious leaders were also known for engaging in sexual acts with women who served the priests at the Tent of Meeting. They were men who in effect considered themselves their own gods; they used their position of influence to satisfy their own lustful desires over serving the LORD.
Eli, their father, attempted to rebuke his sons for such detestable practices, but he did not strive to remove his sons from their positions. As 2:29 & 4:18 suggests, Eli may himself have been benefiting from his son’s flagrant disregard for the sacrifices of the LORD. Nonetheless, Eli was not proactive in his calling as priest to remove evil from the sight of the LORD. He continued to allow his sons to use their offices to exploit the people and desecrate the worship of the LORD by seeking their own selfish desires over God Himself.
The Lord declared that He would “disdain those who despised Him.” He proclaimed that Eli’s sons would be killed, leading to the severing of the priestly line through his offspring.
What is ironic was the way in which Eli’s sons handled themselves when danger was presented to the Israelites by their enemies, the Philistines. When a war ensued, the Philistines gained a quick battle victory, which resulted in the death of 4000 Israelites. Hophni and Phinehas thought that if they took the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle, God would have to provide the Israelites with victory. Even though their hearts were estranged from a true relationship with the LORD, they believed that the mere association with a tangible object associated with the LORD would compel God to provide victory. Never do we find that these sons showed remorse for their sins; in their brazen arrogance, they expected God to come to their rescue.
Sadly, the Israelites were soundly defeated by the Philistines. 30,000 foot soldiers were killed in a second battle, and Eli’s two sons also perished in the battle. When word returned to Eli that his sons were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was captured, the elderly priest fell out of his chair and broke his neck. Eli’s death was the final act of judgment upon his family by the LORD for the egregious acts of rebellion perpetrated by his family. God would be vindicated in His holiness; all who attempted to challenge this sovereignty were destroyed.
The focal passage of which I have mentioned at the beginning of this devotion deals with the lack of God’s Word being given to a wayward people. We would do well to hear from history; when we are wrapped up in our own selfish desires instead of being submitted to the LORD, we should not expect that the LORD will open the portals of heaven to reveal the blessing of Himself to us. When our intimate walk with the LORD is compromised by sin in our lives, we will find that God will seem to be noticeably absent in our lives. What we need to remember is that the LORD can be found when we repent of our sin and seek Him above ourselves. This truth is wonderfully declared in Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” God will be found when we passionately pursue Him and are obedient to Him above all other persons and things.
The early chapters of I Samuel reveal a people whose spiritual leaders were corrupt . . . completely devoid of submission and obedience to the LORD. The sons of the chief priest, Eli, were particularly despicable in their handling of their office as priests. These two men, Hophi and Phinehas, gorged themselves on the sacrificial food offerings brought by the people. They were supposed to commit the sacrifices first to the Lord by placing them into a boiling kettle, then they were to pick out with a pronged fork a portion that they would consume themselves. The first fruits were the LORD’s; they were to honor the LORD first before their own physical needs. In contrast, however, these priests would threaten the people who brought food sacrifices to the LORD by demanding these offerings for themselves immediately. They warned that if they did not receive the uncooked meat, they would take it by force. God referred to their actions as “treating the LORD’s offering with contempt” (2:17).
These same religious leaders were also known for engaging in sexual acts with women who served the priests at the Tent of Meeting. They were men who in effect considered themselves their own gods; they used their position of influence to satisfy their own lustful desires over serving the LORD.
Eli, their father, attempted to rebuke his sons for such detestable practices, but he did not strive to remove his sons from their positions. As 2:29 & 4:18 suggests, Eli may himself have been benefiting from his son’s flagrant disregard for the sacrifices of the LORD. Nonetheless, Eli was not proactive in his calling as priest to remove evil from the sight of the LORD. He continued to allow his sons to use their offices to exploit the people and desecrate the worship of the LORD by seeking their own selfish desires over God Himself.
The Lord declared that He would “disdain those who despised Him.” He proclaimed that Eli’s sons would be killed, leading to the severing of the priestly line through his offspring.
What is ironic was the way in which Eli’s sons handled themselves when danger was presented to the Israelites by their enemies, the Philistines. When a war ensued, the Philistines gained a quick battle victory, which resulted in the death of 4000 Israelites. Hophni and Phinehas thought that if they took the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle, God would have to provide the Israelites with victory. Even though their hearts were estranged from a true relationship with the LORD, they believed that the mere association with a tangible object associated with the LORD would compel God to provide victory. Never do we find that these sons showed remorse for their sins; in their brazen arrogance, they expected God to come to their rescue.
Sadly, the Israelites were soundly defeated by the Philistines. 30,000 foot soldiers were killed in a second battle, and Eli’s two sons also perished in the battle. When word returned to Eli that his sons were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was captured, the elderly priest fell out of his chair and broke his neck. Eli’s death was the final act of judgment upon his family by the LORD for the egregious acts of rebellion perpetrated by his family. God would be vindicated in His holiness; all who attempted to challenge this sovereignty were destroyed.
The focal passage of which I have mentioned at the beginning of this devotion deals with the lack of God’s Word being given to a wayward people. We would do well to hear from history; when we are wrapped up in our own selfish desires instead of being submitted to the LORD, we should not expect that the LORD will open the portals of heaven to reveal the blessing of Himself to us. When our intimate walk with the LORD is compromised by sin in our lives, we will find that God will seem to be noticeably absent in our lives. What we need to remember is that the LORD can be found when we repent of our sin and seek Him above ourselves. This truth is wonderfully declared in Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” God will be found when we passionately pursue Him and are obedient to Him above all other persons and things.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Making Yourself More Attractive
Ruth 2:11-12,19-20: “Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband-how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD’ . . . . Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. ‘The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz,’ she said. ‘The LORD bless him!’ Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. ‘He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.’”
Being a single adult pastor, I’m often asked questions by single adults about dating relationships. Specifically, singles like to ask me the “why” questions: “Why hasn’t God brought Mr./Miss Right into my life?”; “Why doesn’t God hear my prayers to be married?”; or “Why doesn’t God understand that I don’t like to be single?”
Whereas I am sensitive to the longings of some singles in the area of companionship, I do take time to remind singles that they have a wonderful opportunity to make themselves even more attractive by the way that they conduct their lives now, even though no prospect for dating is evident on the horizon. Godly, mature singles are attracted to other singles who demonstrate the same qualities of Godliness and integrity. These mature singles are looking for characteristics in a prospective dating partner that reveal a person committed in his/her faith to Christ, that have goals to accomplish that commitment, and that look to bless others through the pursuit of those goals.
The story of Ruth mentioned in the Bible is a wonderful example of two single people who became more attractive and attracted to each other the more that they demonstrated integrity and self-sacrificing love toward others, without any expectation of return. The story begins with Ruth, a Moabite who had married into the Jewish family of Elimelech, her father-in-law. Elimelech’s wife was named Naomi and Ruth was married to their son. Elimelech had moved his family from Bethlehem to the land of Moab because there was a severe famine in Palestine, and Elimelech’s family had moved to find food for the family. Within 10 years of living in the land of Moab, Elimelech and his two sons had died, leaving both Naomi, Ruth, and another daughter-in-law as widows. Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their birth families so that they might be able to remarry, and one daughter-in-law did in fact return home. But Ruth vowed to stay with Naomi in order that she might be able to minister to her aging mother-in-law. When the two returned to Bethlehem, Ruth took on the responsibility of gathering food for the two, knowing that Naomi was not physically able to handle such tasks. Ruth would go to the fields and gather grain that had been left behind by the harvesters. She would look for the fields of those who would be gracious and permit her to gather the leftover grain, and she would work tirelessly for a large part of the day in order that she might be a provider for her mother-in-law. One will notice that Ruth was not embittered by her circumstances. She was not angered at God for the loss of her husband, her lost financial security, or her lost dream as a future mother. She also was not looking for an opportunity to “ditch” her mother-in-law so that she could pursue her own life and find a husband. Ruth put the needs of Naomi before herself.
The irony with the story is found in the response of Boaz, the owner of the land of which Ruth worked. He noticed Ruth in the fields and was made aware of all that Ruth had done for Naomi. Ruth’s integrity was attractive to Boaz, who was a Godly man, and he began to take notice. Whereas Ruth was not necessarily looking for a husband, God was orchestrating something rather beautiful in her life by intersecting her life with Boaz, and Ruth was making herself more attractive through her life of godliness and integrity.
Boaz in return was making himself more attractive to Ruth by the way he treated her. When Boaz learned that Ruth was working his fields and when he had heard of the way she selflessly ministered to her mother-in-law, Boaz was determined to be a blessing to Ruth. He encouraged Ruth to continue to harvest from his field, and he instructed his workers not to prohibit her from working the fields but to leave some of the choicest sheaves for her to pick up. Boaz also made certain that Ruth had ample water to refresh herself during the day as she worked the fields. Ruth took notice of the graciousness of Boaz and shared with Naomi all that Boaz had done. Just as Boaz was attracted to the selfless devotion that Ruth had demonstrated, so too Ruth was attracted to the generosity of Boaz.
Later in the book, one finds that the relationship eventually led to the marriage of Ruth to Boaz. It’s one of those blessed stories that ends wonderfully with the two of them sensing God’s leading to commit to each other their love through covenant. This covenant of marriage would lead to children being born and a lineage furthered, ultimately culminating in the birth of a Messiah, Jesus Christ, years later.
Being a single adult pastor, I’m often asked questions by single adults about dating relationships. Specifically, singles like to ask me the “why” questions: “Why hasn’t God brought Mr./Miss Right into my life?”; “Why doesn’t God hear my prayers to be married?”; or “Why doesn’t God understand that I don’t like to be single?”
Whereas I am sensitive to the longings of some singles in the area of companionship, I do take time to remind singles that they have a wonderful opportunity to make themselves even more attractive by the way that they conduct their lives now, even though no prospect for dating is evident on the horizon. Godly, mature singles are attracted to other singles who demonstrate the same qualities of Godliness and integrity. These mature singles are looking for characteristics in a prospective dating partner that reveal a person committed in his/her faith to Christ, that have goals to accomplish that commitment, and that look to bless others through the pursuit of those goals.
The story of Ruth mentioned in the Bible is a wonderful example of two single people who became more attractive and attracted to each other the more that they demonstrated integrity and self-sacrificing love toward others, without any expectation of return. The story begins with Ruth, a Moabite who had married into the Jewish family of Elimelech, her father-in-law. Elimelech’s wife was named Naomi and Ruth was married to their son. Elimelech had moved his family from Bethlehem to the land of Moab because there was a severe famine in Palestine, and Elimelech’s family had moved to find food for the family. Within 10 years of living in the land of Moab, Elimelech and his two sons had died, leaving both Naomi, Ruth, and another daughter-in-law as widows. Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their birth families so that they might be able to remarry, and one daughter-in-law did in fact return home. But Ruth vowed to stay with Naomi in order that she might be able to minister to her aging mother-in-law. When the two returned to Bethlehem, Ruth took on the responsibility of gathering food for the two, knowing that Naomi was not physically able to handle such tasks. Ruth would go to the fields and gather grain that had been left behind by the harvesters. She would look for the fields of those who would be gracious and permit her to gather the leftover grain, and she would work tirelessly for a large part of the day in order that she might be a provider for her mother-in-law. One will notice that Ruth was not embittered by her circumstances. She was not angered at God for the loss of her husband, her lost financial security, or her lost dream as a future mother. She also was not looking for an opportunity to “ditch” her mother-in-law so that she could pursue her own life and find a husband. Ruth put the needs of Naomi before herself.
The irony with the story is found in the response of Boaz, the owner of the land of which Ruth worked. He noticed Ruth in the fields and was made aware of all that Ruth had done for Naomi. Ruth’s integrity was attractive to Boaz, who was a Godly man, and he began to take notice. Whereas Ruth was not necessarily looking for a husband, God was orchestrating something rather beautiful in her life by intersecting her life with Boaz, and Ruth was making herself more attractive through her life of godliness and integrity.
Boaz in return was making himself more attractive to Ruth by the way he treated her. When Boaz learned that Ruth was working his fields and when he had heard of the way she selflessly ministered to her mother-in-law, Boaz was determined to be a blessing to Ruth. He encouraged Ruth to continue to harvest from his field, and he instructed his workers not to prohibit her from working the fields but to leave some of the choicest sheaves for her to pick up. Boaz also made certain that Ruth had ample water to refresh herself during the day as she worked the fields. Ruth took notice of the graciousness of Boaz and shared with Naomi all that Boaz had done. Just as Boaz was attracted to the selfless devotion that Ruth had demonstrated, so too Ruth was attracted to the generosity of Boaz.
Later in the book, one finds that the relationship eventually led to the marriage of Ruth to Boaz. It’s one of those blessed stories that ends wonderfully with the two of them sensing God’s leading to commit to each other their love through covenant. This covenant of marriage would lead to children being born and a lineage furthered, ultimately culminating in the birth of a Messiah, Jesus Christ, years later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
