Saturday, January 31, 2015
The Benefit of God's Punishment and Restoration
Ezekiel 11:11-12,17-20: "I (God) will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. This city will not be a pot for you, nor will you be the meat in it; I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. And you will know that I am the LORD. For you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you . . . . This is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again. They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.'"
Ezekiel was a prophet and priest who had been taken with many other Israelites into bondage at the hands of the Babylonians. King Josiah (a godly king that had removed pagan idols from Israel, had repaired the temple, and had God's Law read aloud), was tragically killed at the hands of the Egyptians at the Battle of Megiddo in 609 BC. His wicked son, Jehoiakim, was installed as a puppet king by the Egyptians; however, the Babylonians would soundly defeat the Assyrians and Egyptian alliance at the Battle of Carchemesh in 605 BC and would begin to wield their power and influence in the land of Canaan. A number of prominent nobles and their families were exiled to Babylon during this time (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego). King Jehoiakim in 597 BC attempted to rebel against the Babylonians, but this act brought even further retrobutive measures against the Israelites. King Jehoiakim would be killed, and the Babylonians would exile 10,000 more Jews from Palestine to Babylon, including Jehoiachin (Jehoiakim's son) and the prophet Ezekiel.
Despite being in exile, Ezekiel had a call from God to pronounce judgment upon the Jewish people for their continuous rebellion against the LORD. Though a number of radical displays, Ezekiel warned the Jewish people in Babylon that any hope of restoration of the Promised Land would not come until the people repented and acknowledged the One True Lord of Hosts. Sixty-five times, God decreed through His prophet that His judgment was to drive into the people's hearts of stone that they would not prevail in their rebellion; instead, they would know who was the Supreme Sovereign over all of creation.
In chapter 11, Ezekiel was taken by the Holy Spirit from captivity in Babylon to the eastern gate of Jerusalem to see what was happening in the land. He found key leaders of the people plotting evil and proclaming that the time of difficulty would soon be over. These leaders, who had been quite ruthless in their treatment of the people there, had begun prophesying a false hope that things would return to normal and they would begin to rebuild their houses. There was no acknowledgment of sin, just a declared conviction that things would magically return to normal . . . in effect, there would be no consequence for their wickedness.
God through His prophet Ezekiel, proclaimed that the very thing that these leaders feared would come upon them. God would bring the sword of the Babylonians to destroy them. The military might of Babylon would drive these people from the protective walls of Jerusalem, and they would perish by the sword. It would be then that these leaders and the people would know who the real God was and that they were being judged for conforming to the pagan ways of the nations around them.
Still, God was not finished with His people. Even though many had been taken captive and carted hundreds of miles from home . . . even there He was a sanctuary for them. And in keeping with His covenant that He had made to Abraham, God would gather a remnant from those far reaches and would return them to the Promised Land. And as these exiles returned to the land given to them by God, they then would acknowledge God as sovereign, would remove the detestable idols in their midst, and would be singularly focused in their devotion to the Lord. No longer would they have a hardened, stubborn heart of rebellion; rather, their hearts would be softened and receptive to God and His law. They would understand that rather than asserting their own wills (and in effect attempting to declare themselves their own lords), they would capitulate their selfish wills to God and surrender to His rightful reign over them.
This is a great word for us, for we recognize in these Israelites of Ezekiel's day our own proclivity toward rebellion and an assertion of our own quest for lordship. All of us have attempted to ururp God's rightful reign in our lives by sinning against Him. And as God brought judgment in the lives of the Israelites of Ezekiel's day to punishment them for their treason, so too God will not let us go unpunished for our rebellion against Him. Sin always brings the righteous wrath of the King of Kings, and we know that this wrath has been displayed not only in the curse of physical death for us, but also eternal separation from Him.
Were this the end of the story, it would paint a rather bleak future for us all. But this is where the love of God has been displayed through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because Jesus loves us and desired to show to us the "fullest extent of His love" (John 13:1), He came to the earth to die on a cross and pay the sin penalty that we could not pay ourselves. And by His glorious resurrection, He displayed His victory over sin and death and affords to us the opportunity of forgiveness and restoration with the Father. So too, God initiates a redemptive work in our lives by transforming our calloused hearts into softened, receptive hearts so that we will be responsive to His offering of grace. And for those who would receive such a precious salvation as this, God promises to be our God. He will grant to us the hope of eternal life with Him in His marvelous Promised Land.
Let us not be like the rebellious Israelites that determined to live their own lives the way that they desired and to worship whatever gods they chose. Instead, let us respond to God's lovingkindness ultimately displayed through His Son. And as we see our hearts becoming hearts of flesh, let us surrender our lives and our wills to His reign over us. Let us live our lives as an expression of awe and gratitude that we have not been left to the consequences of our sins. Let us praise the Lord, who is rich in love and mercy and who desires to be our God for all eternity.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Does the Lord Cause Disaster?
Amos 3:6: "When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?"
The prophet Amos lived around 760 BC and was called to herald God's warnings of judgment to those in the region of Judah. Israel during that day was in a spirit of optimism and confidence, because they had experienced much prosperity during the robust reign of Jeroboam II (786-746 BC). Yet, just like generations before them, these people were swayed into worshipping pagan gods like the Canaanite storm god, Baal, who the pagan nations believed was responsible for fertility and great agricultural harvests. These Israelites too began to manipulate and abuse the egalitarian, covenantal stipulations found in the law, by embracing the feudal practices of the pagan nations. Suddenly, those who were with much financial means began to exploit the needy and impoverished, and a deep chasm opened between the exceptionally rich and the poor. It was for this reason that the prophet Amos (whose name means "load" or "burden") was summoned by God to warn the people of His imminent judgment if they did not repent of their idolatry, wickedness, and exploitation.
As Amos began his proclamation first against the neighboring pagan nations around Israel, one can imagine the smug, arrogant disposition of the people of Judah. After all, they were God's chosen people. They weren't expecting any such proclamation from a prophet of God, for they believed that they were immune from any punitive decrees from God. But suddenly, their pompous demeanor would change when the summary judgment would be decreed against them too. God through His prophet indicted the Israelites for "selling the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals . . . trampling on the heads of the poor, denying justice to the oppressed." So too they were excoriated by the prophet of God for engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior, thereby "profaning (God's) holy name." In their houses of sacred worship, the people of Judah brazenly enjoyed the bounty of their exploitations of others. And they even caused those who had vowed abstinence for God to break their vows, and they threatened any prophet who would decry or protest what they were doing.
In response to the people's wickedness and sacrilege, God would burst forth in His proclamation much like a roaring lion ready to attack its prey (1:2). He decreed that He would crush the wayward Israelites like a "cart crushes when loaded with grain" (2:13). God too reminded the people that they once were helpless and in utter dispair in bondage to the Egyptians, but God in His mercy rescued them and set them on a pilgrimage toward the Promised Land. They were the esteemed people of all the earth, and they should have responded with awe, thankfulness, and obedience; however, they chose to treat His favor and His blessings (which brought prosperity) with disdainful contempt. They were so brazen that they held religious feasts to God, offering burnt offerings to Him in an attempt to validate their supposed spirituality; but God was angered by their insidious acts of sacrilege. He told them to stop their ridulous singing and perfunctory worship. He did not want any of it, since their lives were full of injustice and righteousness. And it is for this duplicity that God vowed to punish them for all their sins (3:2). Even though the people were reaping the blessings of prosperity at the time of Amos' proclamations from God, the day was coming when God's wrath would overtake them, bringing disaster.
This is a good word for us today. We as a nation have received many blessings from the Lord, as we have experienced a level of prosperity and abundance like no other time in history. Still, if we were honest with ourselves, we can see how very similar to the people of Judah we are behaving as a nation. The way in which our nation treats God with contempt (even though many go through the perfunctory rituals of worship), and the way we exploit each other for personal gain is the indicting evidence that God will use against us, unless we repent and return to Him. We must once again embrace justice and righteousness, and appreciate that our liberation from the bondage of sin has come through His death and resurrection. His grace has given us hope, so let us repent of our waywardness and our exploitations, and turn again to the Lord. God is full of love and mercy, and He will pardon our sins and restore unto us the blessedness of His divine favor. If we forsake such an offering of forgiveness, we can only expect a coming day when disaster from the Lord will overtake us.
The prophet Amos lived around 760 BC and was called to herald God's warnings of judgment to those in the region of Judah. Israel during that day was in a spirit of optimism and confidence, because they had experienced much prosperity during the robust reign of Jeroboam II (786-746 BC). Yet, just like generations before them, these people were swayed into worshipping pagan gods like the Canaanite storm god, Baal, who the pagan nations believed was responsible for fertility and great agricultural harvests. These Israelites too began to manipulate and abuse the egalitarian, covenantal stipulations found in the law, by embracing the feudal practices of the pagan nations. Suddenly, those who were with much financial means began to exploit the needy and impoverished, and a deep chasm opened between the exceptionally rich and the poor. It was for this reason that the prophet Amos (whose name means "load" or "burden") was summoned by God to warn the people of His imminent judgment if they did not repent of their idolatry, wickedness, and exploitation.
As Amos began his proclamation first against the neighboring pagan nations around Israel, one can imagine the smug, arrogant disposition of the people of Judah. After all, they were God's chosen people. They weren't expecting any such proclamation from a prophet of God, for they believed that they were immune from any punitive decrees from God. But suddenly, their pompous demeanor would change when the summary judgment would be decreed against them too. God through His prophet indicted the Israelites for "selling the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals . . . trampling on the heads of the poor, denying justice to the oppressed." So too they were excoriated by the prophet of God for engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior, thereby "profaning (God's) holy name." In their houses of sacred worship, the people of Judah brazenly enjoyed the bounty of their exploitations of others. And they even caused those who had vowed abstinence for God to break their vows, and they threatened any prophet who would decry or protest what they were doing.
In response to the people's wickedness and sacrilege, God would burst forth in His proclamation much like a roaring lion ready to attack its prey (1:2). He decreed that He would crush the wayward Israelites like a "cart crushes when loaded with grain" (2:13). God too reminded the people that they once were helpless and in utter dispair in bondage to the Egyptians, but God in His mercy rescued them and set them on a pilgrimage toward the Promised Land. They were the esteemed people of all the earth, and they should have responded with awe, thankfulness, and obedience; however, they chose to treat His favor and His blessings (which brought prosperity) with disdainful contempt. They were so brazen that they held religious feasts to God, offering burnt offerings to Him in an attempt to validate their supposed spirituality; but God was angered by their insidious acts of sacrilege. He told them to stop their ridulous singing and perfunctory worship. He did not want any of it, since their lives were full of injustice and righteousness. And it is for this duplicity that God vowed to punish them for all their sins (3:2). Even though the people were reaping the blessings of prosperity at the time of Amos' proclamations from God, the day was coming when God's wrath would overtake them, bringing disaster.
This is a good word for us today. We as a nation have received many blessings from the Lord, as we have experienced a level of prosperity and abundance like no other time in history. Still, if we were honest with ourselves, we can see how very similar to the people of Judah we are behaving as a nation. The way in which our nation treats God with contempt (even though many go through the perfunctory rituals of worship), and the way we exploit each other for personal gain is the indicting evidence that God will use against us, unless we repent and return to Him. We must once again embrace justice and righteousness, and appreciate that our liberation from the bondage of sin has come through His death and resurrection. His grace has given us hope, so let us repent of our waywardness and our exploitations, and turn again to the Lord. God is full of love and mercy, and He will pardon our sins and restore unto us the blessedness of His divine favor. If we forsake such an offering of forgiveness, we can only expect a coming day when disaster from the Lord will overtake us.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Idolization of Self Brings God's Judgment
Obadiah 3-4: "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
The book of Obadiah, comprising only one chapter, is a scripted word of judgment by God against the Edomites. These nomadic people were descendents of Esau, the brother of Jacob; and just like their godless father who was willing to sell his own birthright for a single meal (Genesis 25:27-34; Hebrews 12:16), these people were consumed with self-gratification and self-indulgence . . . even if that meant rebelling against God and attempting to destroy His chosen people. G. Campbell Morgan has said of the Edomites, "they were the embodiment of practical, defiant godlessness, expressing itself in the deification of self, and the conviction that self was sufficient." And pastor Lloyd Ogilvie has said of the Edomites, "they were the materialists, whose security is in human power and possessions, acountable to no one but themselves, they perpetrate the cult of humanism . . . . There are no rules except to control others. Their motto is 'What's good is what makes me feel great.' Thus, they are the real enemies of God."
Throughout the history of the Edomites, one can find that they were obstructionists, continuously attempting to thwart what God desired to accomplish through the Jewish people. They attempted to impede the Israelites from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:21; Judg. 11:17); they too fought against David and Solomon (2 Sam. 8; I Kings 11). During the reigns of Jehosophat, Jehoram, Amaziah, and Ahaz, they attempted raids on God's chosen people in order to plunder and destroy them. Prophets like Jeremiah prophesied ultimate destruction for these enemies of God (Jeremiah 49:7-22).
In the context of Obadiah's written word, the Edomites would be judged for the way that they behaved at the time of Babylon's invasion of Judah. To be sure, God was judging His own people for their longstanding wickedness; however, the Edomites saw opportunity to exploit the Jews while they were being invaded. First, they permitted the Babylonians to invade and did nothing to stop them. The motivation was not so much fear of Babylon as it was the chance to pilfer the Israelites of things that their hearts coveted. They celebrated the calamity of the Jewish people, and gambled with each other over the possessions that they took (Obad. 12-13).
Ultimately, God would vindicate His people, and He would bring such destruction upon the Edomites that they would be like stubble that is completely destroyed by fire. God would use the Israelites to be the fire that would bring destruction upon these enemies of God. And even though the Edomites believed that their homes were impenetrable (they lived in clefts of rocks and upon the heights east of the Jordan River), God would bring them down (Obad. 4). For those whose legacy had been ransacking and pillaging God's people and impeding them from entering and enjoying the Promised Land, God would hold them to account. He would bring swift and utter shame and destruction to them (Obad 10).
This is a good word for the people of God (i.e. those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord). We know that we live in a world where many have not surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ; instead, they are self-indulging, self-idolizing people who seek opportunities to exploit and pilfer the people of God. We may find that life seems to be unfair due to their sinister ways, and we wonder where God is in the midst of these trials. We must remember that God is not oblivious to these events; much like His observance of the Edomites during the days of Obadiah, so too God is keeping watch over those who perpetrate evil against God's people. He will not allow the guilty to go unpunished!
The ancient historian, Origen, writes that within five years of the Edomites' exploitation of the Israelites during the Babylonian invasions, they themselves would come under attack in a successive wave of military advances by the Chaldeans, the Greeks under Alexander the Great, the Nabateans, and the Romans. These attacks were so cumulatively destructive that by the 3rd century AD, the Edomites were no longer recognized as a nation. Their destruction was swift, and it was complete.
May we who continue to follow the Lord, know that He never is unaware of our circumstances, but He will vindicate us by destroying the enemies that would desire to exploit and destroy us. So, in God should we place our hope, no matter what trials we are facing.
The book of Obadiah, comprising only one chapter, is a scripted word of judgment by God against the Edomites. These nomadic people were descendents of Esau, the brother of Jacob; and just like their godless father who was willing to sell his own birthright for a single meal (Genesis 25:27-34; Hebrews 12:16), these people were consumed with self-gratification and self-indulgence . . . even if that meant rebelling against God and attempting to destroy His chosen people. G. Campbell Morgan has said of the Edomites, "they were the embodiment of practical, defiant godlessness, expressing itself in the deification of self, and the conviction that self was sufficient." And pastor Lloyd Ogilvie has said of the Edomites, "they were the materialists, whose security is in human power and possessions, acountable to no one but themselves, they perpetrate the cult of humanism . . . . There are no rules except to control others. Their motto is 'What's good is what makes me feel great.' Thus, they are the real enemies of God."
Throughout the history of the Edomites, one can find that they were obstructionists, continuously attempting to thwart what God desired to accomplish through the Jewish people. They attempted to impede the Israelites from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:21; Judg. 11:17); they too fought against David and Solomon (2 Sam. 8; I Kings 11). During the reigns of Jehosophat, Jehoram, Amaziah, and Ahaz, they attempted raids on God's chosen people in order to plunder and destroy them. Prophets like Jeremiah prophesied ultimate destruction for these enemies of God (Jeremiah 49:7-22).
In the context of Obadiah's written word, the Edomites would be judged for the way that they behaved at the time of Babylon's invasion of Judah. To be sure, God was judging His own people for their longstanding wickedness; however, the Edomites saw opportunity to exploit the Jews while they were being invaded. First, they permitted the Babylonians to invade and did nothing to stop them. The motivation was not so much fear of Babylon as it was the chance to pilfer the Israelites of things that their hearts coveted. They celebrated the calamity of the Jewish people, and gambled with each other over the possessions that they took (Obad. 12-13).
Ultimately, God would vindicate His people, and He would bring such destruction upon the Edomites that they would be like stubble that is completely destroyed by fire. God would use the Israelites to be the fire that would bring destruction upon these enemies of God. And even though the Edomites believed that their homes were impenetrable (they lived in clefts of rocks and upon the heights east of the Jordan River), God would bring them down (Obad. 4). For those whose legacy had been ransacking and pillaging God's people and impeding them from entering and enjoying the Promised Land, God would hold them to account. He would bring swift and utter shame and destruction to them (Obad 10).
This is a good word for the people of God (i.e. those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord). We know that we live in a world where many have not surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ; instead, they are self-indulging, self-idolizing people who seek opportunities to exploit and pilfer the people of God. We may find that life seems to be unfair due to their sinister ways, and we wonder where God is in the midst of these trials. We must remember that God is not oblivious to these events; much like His observance of the Edomites during the days of Obadiah, so too God is keeping watch over those who perpetrate evil against God's people. He will not allow the guilty to go unpunished!
The ancient historian, Origen, writes that within five years of the Edomites' exploitation of the Israelites during the Babylonian invasions, they themselves would come under attack in a successive wave of military advances by the Chaldeans, the Greeks under Alexander the Great, the Nabateans, and the Romans. These attacks were so cumulatively destructive that by the 3rd century AD, the Edomites were no longer recognized as a nation. Their destruction was swift, and it was complete.
May we who continue to follow the Lord, know that He never is unaware of our circumstances, but He will vindicate us by destroying the enemies that would desire to exploit and destroy us. So, in God should we place our hope, no matter what trials we are facing.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Receiving God's Strength
Daniel 10:17-18: "How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe. Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 'Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,' he said. 'Peace! Be strong now; be strong.' When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, 'Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.'"
Daniel is an amazing prophet of God that had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians (ca. 605 bc), and was required to serve the king there. To be sure, he would face a number of challenges throughout his time in Babylon. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzer, Daniel and the other sages were threatened with execution were it not for God giving Daniel the ability to interpret the king's dream that he had. There too was the time that Daniel's associates, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were placed in the fiery furnace for failing to pay homage to the golden idol that Nebuchadnezzar had built on the plains of Dura. Then again, we find Daniel (now much older) being placed in a lion's den for violating the Medo-Persian King Darius' decree not to pray to any god or man other than Darius himself.
In Daniel 10, Daniel has a amazing encounter with God; in fact, it was so overwhelming that Daniel could not catch his own breath. The prophet highly esteemed by God turned deathly pale at God's vision to him, and even those around him were overwhelmed with terror and hid themselves, even though they did not see the vision of the Lord directly. Daniel's strength failed him, as he was quite afraid. Then the Lord touched the prophet and gave him renewed strength. The Lord too called out that Daniel have peace and commanded him to be strong! Daniel then was ready to receive a word from the Lord, for he sensed within himself that his strength had been restored.
What is interesting is that Daniel had received a prior vision of a great war that was so dreadful that he mourned for three weeks, refusing choice foods and lotions that were at his disposal. God heard the prayers of the saddened prophet from the very beginning of his determination to gain understanding and to humble himself before God; however, it was only until later that Daniel would have a messenger sent to explain the things to come. Part of the explanation given was the spiritual battle that was waging against the Prince of Persia (representative of the forces of evil) and the Lord's forces. The messenger had made his way to Daniel, and because the prophet was strengthened and receptive to a word from God, the messenger was ready to give instruction from the Book of Truth.
Although this text is not the easiest passage to understand, there are several important things that we can glean from it. First, we find that Daniel was considered a man high esteemed by God (10:11,19), and he denied himself the comforts of life when he needed a word of truth and revelation from the LORD. Secondly, he was overwhelmed by the awesome encounter with God; and even though he did not receive an immediate response from the Lord, he was persistent in his focused determination to hear from God, and he humbled himself as he prepared for an encounter with God. And although Daniel was overwhelmed when God spoke to him, the prophet received strength from the LORD and then his heart was open to hear the word of truth from God.
The questions we must ask ourselves as we read this text are . . . (1) Do we find that we living our lives with such godliness and righteousness that God considers us highly esteemed? (2) Do we deny ourselves and humble ourselves so that we might hear a fresh word of revelation and instruction from God? (3) Are we persistent and yet patient to wait for God to come to us and reveal His abiding truth? (4). Do we realize that we need the strength of God and the truth of God to live our lives to their fullest?
It would be good for us to learn from Daniel's encounter with God in Daniel 10, for it is God who gives us the strength to press on to do the work of obedience that He has called us to do.
Daniel is an amazing prophet of God that had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians (ca. 605 bc), and was required to serve the king there. To be sure, he would face a number of challenges throughout his time in Babylon. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzer, Daniel and the other sages were threatened with execution were it not for God giving Daniel the ability to interpret the king's dream that he had. There too was the time that Daniel's associates, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were placed in the fiery furnace for failing to pay homage to the golden idol that Nebuchadnezzar had built on the plains of Dura. Then again, we find Daniel (now much older) being placed in a lion's den for violating the Medo-Persian King Darius' decree not to pray to any god or man other than Darius himself.
In Daniel 10, Daniel has a amazing encounter with God; in fact, it was so overwhelming that Daniel could not catch his own breath. The prophet highly esteemed by God turned deathly pale at God's vision to him, and even those around him were overwhelmed with terror and hid themselves, even though they did not see the vision of the Lord directly. Daniel's strength failed him, as he was quite afraid. Then the Lord touched the prophet and gave him renewed strength. The Lord too called out that Daniel have peace and commanded him to be strong! Daniel then was ready to receive a word from the Lord, for he sensed within himself that his strength had been restored.
What is interesting is that Daniel had received a prior vision of a great war that was so dreadful that he mourned for three weeks, refusing choice foods and lotions that were at his disposal. God heard the prayers of the saddened prophet from the very beginning of his determination to gain understanding and to humble himself before God; however, it was only until later that Daniel would have a messenger sent to explain the things to come. Part of the explanation given was the spiritual battle that was waging against the Prince of Persia (representative of the forces of evil) and the Lord's forces. The messenger had made his way to Daniel, and because the prophet was strengthened and receptive to a word from God, the messenger was ready to give instruction from the Book of Truth.
Although this text is not the easiest passage to understand, there are several important things that we can glean from it. First, we find that Daniel was considered a man high esteemed by God (10:11,19), and he denied himself the comforts of life when he needed a word of truth and revelation from the LORD. Secondly, he was overwhelmed by the awesome encounter with God; and even though he did not receive an immediate response from the Lord, he was persistent in his focused determination to hear from God, and he humbled himself as he prepared for an encounter with God. And although Daniel was overwhelmed when God spoke to him, the prophet received strength from the LORD and then his heart was open to hear the word of truth from God.
The questions we must ask ourselves as we read this text are . . . (1) Do we find that we living our lives with such godliness and righteousness that God considers us highly esteemed? (2) Do we deny ourselves and humble ourselves so that we might hear a fresh word of revelation and instruction from God? (3) Are we persistent and yet patient to wait for God to come to us and reveal His abiding truth? (4). Do we realize that we need the strength of God and the truth of God to live our lives to their fullest?
It would be good for us to learn from Daniel's encounter with God in Daniel 10, for it is God who gives us the strength to press on to do the work of obedience that He has called us to do.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Unholy Relationships
I Kings 11:1-2: "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter . . . . They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.'"
For all of the accolades about Solomon and his great wisdom, I Kings 11 presents a rather surprising account of the unwise decisions of the great Jewish king in the latter years of his life. Despite the prohibition from the LORD of the Jewish people intermarrying with pagan peoples around them, Solomon chose to do just that. Given that many of these wives were of royal families (11:3), one can speculate that many of these bethrothals were politically orchestrated so that alliances (and hence peace) might be maintained in the region. This rationale did not make these marriages right, for if Solomon had simply trusted in the Lord, He (God) would have provided Solomon protection from his enemies.
Nevertheless, we find the consequences from these unholy marriages:
1. Solomon's wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to God (11:4).
2. Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and he did not follow the LORD completely (11:6).
3. Solomon built worship places for pagan deities on hilltops, so that incense and offerings could be offered to them (11:7-8).
4. Even though God had appeared to Solomon twice (once at Gibeon, when Solomon asked for a discerning heart rather than riches to lead the people, and again in Jerusalem after Solomon had built the temple and prayed to dedicate it to the LORD), Solomon's heart was now turned away from the LORD (11:9).
5. Solomon did not keep the LORD's command, forbidding the king to follow other gods (11:10).
As a result, God declared judgment upon Solomon that a portion of the kingdom would be torn away from Solomon's descendants and given to a subordinate. God too raised up adversaries to challenge the king's authority and rule in the region. One such adversary was an Ephraimite official named Jeroboam, who was quite proficient in fulfilling his duties for King Solomon . . . so much so that Solomon had placed him in charge of the entire labor force of the house of Joseph. But when Solmon began to see the potential threat that Jeroboam might be to his reign, the king sought to destroy him. Thus the paranoia of Solomon and the fear that someone would usurp his throne would mark the final days of the king's life. This certainly is not the desired end of a king that had been so blessed by the LORD throughout his life.
This passage is a very good word for believers in Christ today. Whereas we might have a wonderful fellowship with the LORD, we have to be ever mindful that the relationships into which we commit ourselves can become quite destructive for us emotionally, financially, physically, and most important, spiritually if the people with whom we associate are not followers of Jesus Christ themselves. Lest we believe that we are beyond the entrapments of disobedience when we enter into such unholy relationships, we only need to look at one of the wisest men who has walked the face of the earth and realize that even he was not impervious to such enticements.
So, let's not follow the pattern of Solomon in his latter years. Let's be discerning of our relationships. Let's seek the wisdom of God in making such choices. Let's ask that He guide our hearts so that we will not allow ourselves to fall into unhealthy associations with those who would draw us away from the rich, intimate fellowship that we have with the Lord.
For all of the accolades about Solomon and his great wisdom, I Kings 11 presents a rather surprising account of the unwise decisions of the great Jewish king in the latter years of his life. Despite the prohibition from the LORD of the Jewish people intermarrying with pagan peoples around them, Solomon chose to do just that. Given that many of these wives were of royal families (11:3), one can speculate that many of these bethrothals were politically orchestrated so that alliances (and hence peace) might be maintained in the region. This rationale did not make these marriages right, for if Solomon had simply trusted in the Lord, He (God) would have provided Solomon protection from his enemies.
Nevertheless, we find the consequences from these unholy marriages:
1. Solomon's wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to God (11:4).
2. Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and he did not follow the LORD completely (11:6).
3. Solomon built worship places for pagan deities on hilltops, so that incense and offerings could be offered to them (11:7-8).
4. Even though God had appeared to Solomon twice (once at Gibeon, when Solomon asked for a discerning heart rather than riches to lead the people, and again in Jerusalem after Solomon had built the temple and prayed to dedicate it to the LORD), Solomon's heart was now turned away from the LORD (11:9).
5. Solomon did not keep the LORD's command, forbidding the king to follow other gods (11:10).
As a result, God declared judgment upon Solomon that a portion of the kingdom would be torn away from Solomon's descendants and given to a subordinate. God too raised up adversaries to challenge the king's authority and rule in the region. One such adversary was an Ephraimite official named Jeroboam, who was quite proficient in fulfilling his duties for King Solomon . . . so much so that Solomon had placed him in charge of the entire labor force of the house of Joseph. But when Solmon began to see the potential threat that Jeroboam might be to his reign, the king sought to destroy him. Thus the paranoia of Solomon and the fear that someone would usurp his throne would mark the final days of the king's life. This certainly is not the desired end of a king that had been so blessed by the LORD throughout his life.
This passage is a very good word for believers in Christ today. Whereas we might have a wonderful fellowship with the LORD, we have to be ever mindful that the relationships into which we commit ourselves can become quite destructive for us emotionally, financially, physically, and most important, spiritually if the people with whom we associate are not followers of Jesus Christ themselves. Lest we believe that we are beyond the entrapments of disobedience when we enter into such unholy relationships, we only need to look at one of the wisest men who has walked the face of the earth and realize that even he was not impervious to such enticements.
So, let's not follow the pattern of Solomon in his latter years. Let's be discerning of our relationships. Let's seek the wisdom of God in making such choices. Let's ask that He guide our hearts so that we will not allow ourselves to fall into unhealthy associations with those who would draw us away from the rich, intimate fellowship that we have with the Lord.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Biblical Leadership
Ephesians 4:11-12: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Several things come to mind when I read this passage about leaders in the Church:
1. First, the calling to leadership is given by God to different people in the Church, not just one. God calls and equips different individuals with certain gifts. We should not think that we have or must have it all, and to think in such ways is to treat God's designed plan for leadership with contempt.
2. Secondly, we are called to prepare God's people for works of service. The literal translation of "prepare" is "to put right." It suggests the setting of a broken bone or the mending of a net. Also, the word for "service" is the same word used of a deacon. Deacons were first appointed for the purpose of attending to the physical needs of widows who had no means to help themselves. These too were men who were found to be full of "the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). With the usage of terms suggesting something being broken or torn, the writer is presuming that people who are called to serve may need to be guided from their "brokenness" to service for the Lord. We know that we all have been enticed to live lives of selfishness, for we know that such thinking is driven by our sinful natures and is not of God but of the world and the Devil (Galatians 5:19-20, James 3:14-15). Even for the disciple of Jesus Christ, there continues to be a war that wages from the sinful nature, drawing us back into selfish consumption and the "sin living in (us)" [Romans 7:17]. Thus, those leaders called to the responsibilities in Ephesians 4:11 should be focused on helping to mend the hearts of believers who have fallen back into a self-focused mindset and are not thinking about or expressing love to others.
3. We also see that the purpose of preparing the believers' hearts is so that the body of Christ may be built up and that there would be unity of faith in the Church. Those who have the mindset of building up the Church are living lives "worthy of the calling [they had] received." They are expressing the fruits of humility, gentleness, patience, kindness, and love (Eph. 4:1-2). Leaders called should be centered in their purpose to draw the people, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit using the Holy Scriptures, into an awareness of these fruits (ultimately given by the Spirit [Galatians 5:22]) and a repentance for failing to administer these gifts to the body.
4. Leaders too need to be aware of the need for the Church to have the "knowledge of the Son of God." This is not mere factual awareness but a deep, intimate association with and love for Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself shares in the gospels that if we love Him, we will keep His commands (John 14:15); and of course, to even know the commands of Christ, one has to be immersed in the Holy Text of God's Word. Jesus promises that if we obey Christ's commands, God the Father will love him, and the Father and the Son will make their "home with him." Leaders need to be impassioned to lead their people to such places of rich, intimate association with the Lord!
5. Leaders thus are to help the members of the body strive for maturity in the faith and the fullest attainment of the fullness of Christ. None of us live static lives. We constantly are in motion either towards Christ or away from Him. Galatians 5:25 tells us to "keep in step" with the Spirit, and the word used here is from the same root as the musical term, "staccato." The staccato note is a short, repeated note which can been visualized in the rhythmic summoning of a military drummer, calling troops to keep in step with the leader for battle. We must keep in step with the Lord, for to do so is to mature in our faith and to experience the fullness of Christ.
6. Lastly, leaders are to evaluate to see if their flock are "no longer infants, tossed back and forth by the waves." These "waves" are the enticements of the world and the vain philosophies that it deceitfully introduces, through cunning and crafty men. Leaders do this by speaking the "truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) so that the body is continuing to grow up in maturity and in intimacy with Christ. These expressions of love might not be just words of encouragement and support, but they may also be words of rebuke and admonishment toward those who are straying from fellowship with the Lord.
As one can see, those called to such positions of leadership have a tremendous responsibility. So, if you are called by God for such a task, do it with all your might (though the power of the Holy Spirit within you), so that "we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Eph. 4:15).
Several things come to mind when I read this passage about leaders in the Church:
1. First, the calling to leadership is given by God to different people in the Church, not just one. God calls and equips different individuals with certain gifts. We should not think that we have or must have it all, and to think in such ways is to treat God's designed plan for leadership with contempt.
2. Secondly, we are called to prepare God's people for works of service. The literal translation of "prepare" is "to put right." It suggests the setting of a broken bone or the mending of a net. Also, the word for "service" is the same word used of a deacon. Deacons were first appointed for the purpose of attending to the physical needs of widows who had no means to help themselves. These too were men who were found to be full of "the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). With the usage of terms suggesting something being broken or torn, the writer is presuming that people who are called to serve may need to be guided from their "brokenness" to service for the Lord. We know that we all have been enticed to live lives of selfishness, for we know that such thinking is driven by our sinful natures and is not of God but of the world and the Devil (Galatians 5:19-20, James 3:14-15). Even for the disciple of Jesus Christ, there continues to be a war that wages from the sinful nature, drawing us back into selfish consumption and the "sin living in (us)" [Romans 7:17]. Thus, those leaders called to the responsibilities in Ephesians 4:11 should be focused on helping to mend the hearts of believers who have fallen back into a self-focused mindset and are not thinking about or expressing love to others.
3. We also see that the purpose of preparing the believers' hearts is so that the body of Christ may be built up and that there would be unity of faith in the Church. Those who have the mindset of building up the Church are living lives "worthy of the calling [they had] received." They are expressing the fruits of humility, gentleness, patience, kindness, and love (Eph. 4:1-2). Leaders called should be centered in their purpose to draw the people, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit using the Holy Scriptures, into an awareness of these fruits (ultimately given by the Spirit [Galatians 5:22]) and a repentance for failing to administer these gifts to the body.
4. Leaders too need to be aware of the need for the Church to have the "knowledge of the Son of God." This is not mere factual awareness but a deep, intimate association with and love for Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself shares in the gospels that if we love Him, we will keep His commands (John 14:15); and of course, to even know the commands of Christ, one has to be immersed in the Holy Text of God's Word. Jesus promises that if we obey Christ's commands, God the Father will love him, and the Father and the Son will make their "home with him." Leaders need to be impassioned to lead their people to such places of rich, intimate association with the Lord!
5. Leaders thus are to help the members of the body strive for maturity in the faith and the fullest attainment of the fullness of Christ. None of us live static lives. We constantly are in motion either towards Christ or away from Him. Galatians 5:25 tells us to "keep in step" with the Spirit, and the word used here is from the same root as the musical term, "staccato." The staccato note is a short, repeated note which can been visualized in the rhythmic summoning of a military drummer, calling troops to keep in step with the leader for battle. We must keep in step with the Lord, for to do so is to mature in our faith and to experience the fullness of Christ.
6. Lastly, leaders are to evaluate to see if their flock are "no longer infants, tossed back and forth by the waves." These "waves" are the enticements of the world and the vain philosophies that it deceitfully introduces, through cunning and crafty men. Leaders do this by speaking the "truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) so that the body is continuing to grow up in maturity and in intimacy with Christ. These expressions of love might not be just words of encouragement and support, but they may also be words of rebuke and admonishment toward those who are straying from fellowship with the Lord.
As one can see, those called to such positions of leadership have a tremendous responsibility. So, if you are called by God for such a task, do it with all your might (though the power of the Holy Spirit within you), so that "we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Eph. 4:15).
Thursday, January 8, 2015
The Purposes of a Shepherd
Galatians 2:2: "I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel . . ."
Galatians 2:4: "Some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves . . ."
Galatians 3:3: "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
Recently, I have had the wonderful privilege of re-reading Dr. Tim Laniak's book, While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks, which is a profound resource on Biblical leadership. Dr. Laniak spent an extended period amount of time living with a bedouin tribe of shepherds in the Middle East, and he journaled his reflections of their shepherding techniques and how these skills are paramount to the shepherding that takes place in the Church. The three central categories that Dr. Laniak identifies within the shepherding motif are: shepherd as provider, shepherd as protector, and shepherd as competent guide.
Having these concepts in my mind, I found it interesting that these themes showed up in the life of the Apostle Paul in the book of Galatians. In Galatians 2:2, we find that Paul was given a revelation by God to go and share the gospel . . . the spiritual nourishment that the soul needs from the Word of God. The people needed to hear God's message, and Paul was given a revelation by God to fulfill that need. A pastor/shepherd's first responsibility is to feed the sheep. If the flock are not being fed God's Word, they will not endure. Woe be unto any pastor who does not proclaim the entirety of Bible (with the Gospel as it's central theme) truthfully and consistently!
So too, Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians because he was concerned about the wolves in the church's midst that were trying to steer the believers back into the entrapment of performance-based religion (i.e. that one must satisfy certain requirements in order to obtain the favor of God). Wolves are insatiable opportunists who stealthily work in packs to destroy and consume the flock. This is why it is of utmost importance for a shepherd to be alert constantly of their presence and deal with their threats so that the sheep are kept safe. A shepherd who is oblivious or indifferent to the protection and safety of the flock does not need to shepherd.
Lastly, one can find Paul admonishing the church, even reproving Peter, for falling to the Judaizer's propaganda. Paul saw that the sheep needed steering away from a dangerous precipice. He desired to guide them back to the right path that would lead them to obedience to the LORD. Competent guiding by a shepherd is of utmost importance; for without such guidance, the sheep are prone to wander from the "still waters and green pastures" of blessing from the Lord. This guidance is not always easy, and the sheep sometimes may need to be prodded in the direction that they should go; still, a shepherd initiates leadership in the way that is best for the sheep, for he loves his flock and wants the very best for them.
This is a good word for anyone who serves in a shepherding role within the Church. Are we intentional at providing the spiritual nourishment of the Word to the sheep? Are we striving to protect the flock from the ravenous wolves that seek to devour them? And are we intentional at guiding the flock in the direction that we know is best for them, for it is the path that the Good and Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, desires for us to traverse? If we do not make these callings the bedrock of our ministries, we will miss our main commissioning as undershepherds to the Lord Almighty.
Galatians 2:4: "Some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves . . ."
Galatians 3:3: "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
Recently, I have had the wonderful privilege of re-reading Dr. Tim Laniak's book, While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks, which is a profound resource on Biblical leadership. Dr. Laniak spent an extended period amount of time living with a bedouin tribe of shepherds in the Middle East, and he journaled his reflections of their shepherding techniques and how these skills are paramount to the shepherding that takes place in the Church. The three central categories that Dr. Laniak identifies within the shepherding motif are: shepherd as provider, shepherd as protector, and shepherd as competent guide.
Having these concepts in my mind, I found it interesting that these themes showed up in the life of the Apostle Paul in the book of Galatians. In Galatians 2:2, we find that Paul was given a revelation by God to go and share the gospel . . . the spiritual nourishment that the soul needs from the Word of God. The people needed to hear God's message, and Paul was given a revelation by God to fulfill that need. A pastor/shepherd's first responsibility is to feed the sheep. If the flock are not being fed God's Word, they will not endure. Woe be unto any pastor who does not proclaim the entirety of Bible (with the Gospel as it's central theme) truthfully and consistently!
So too, Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians because he was concerned about the wolves in the church's midst that were trying to steer the believers back into the entrapment of performance-based religion (i.e. that one must satisfy certain requirements in order to obtain the favor of God). Wolves are insatiable opportunists who stealthily work in packs to destroy and consume the flock. This is why it is of utmost importance for a shepherd to be alert constantly of their presence and deal with their threats so that the sheep are kept safe. A shepherd who is oblivious or indifferent to the protection and safety of the flock does not need to shepherd.
Lastly, one can find Paul admonishing the church, even reproving Peter, for falling to the Judaizer's propaganda. Paul saw that the sheep needed steering away from a dangerous precipice. He desired to guide them back to the right path that would lead them to obedience to the LORD. Competent guiding by a shepherd is of utmost importance; for without such guidance, the sheep are prone to wander from the "still waters and green pastures" of blessing from the Lord. This guidance is not always easy, and the sheep sometimes may need to be prodded in the direction that they should go; still, a shepherd initiates leadership in the way that is best for the sheep, for he loves his flock and wants the very best for them.
This is a good word for anyone who serves in a shepherding role within the Church. Are we intentional at providing the spiritual nourishment of the Word to the sheep? Are we striving to protect the flock from the ravenous wolves that seek to devour them? And are we intentional at guiding the flock in the direction that we know is best for them, for it is the path that the Good and Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, desires for us to traverse? If we do not make these callings the bedrock of our ministries, we will miss our main commissioning as undershepherds to the Lord Almighty.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Pleasing Man Or God?
Galatians 1:10b: "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
As one reads through the book of Galatians, one quickly finds that Paul is deeply concerned for a church that had received the gospel, had been baptized, and even had experienced the power of God through miracles (3:5). Paul was grieved about the church's disposition because he previously had visited them (rather unexpectedly due to an unexpected illness [4:13]), and many were saved through his bold proclamation of the "good news" of Jesus Christ; however, by the time of Paul's letter, the church had fallen to the propaganda of the Judaizers from Jerusalem that demanded that the church rigidly follow the Mosaic law in order to be saved.
In his letter, Paul recounts his own journey through Judaism as one advancing more quickly through the ranks than others his age. In his zealous pursuit to the "traditions of (his) fathers," Paul was making a name for himself. He was on the fast track to becoming an esteemed religious figure within the Jewish community. But then something radically and wonderfully happened. God, in accordance with His own pleasure and will "called" Paul to genuine faith in Jesus Christ (1:15-16), and then God commissioned Paul to be an apostle to share the amazing grace that He affords to those who would receive it. To be sure, Paul exclaims that this glorious gospel of which he preached was not "something man made up . . . rather, (it was) received by revelation of Jesus Christ."
Paul then shares a rather focused and profound statement with the Galatians, namely that his purpose was not to please man, otherwise he would not be a servant of Jesus Christ. Paul understood that to be a chosen servant of the Almighty was to proclaim what the LORD desired the people to hear. Paul would not succumb again to the enticement to please those in religious authority in his community or the hearers of his message; instead, he would proclaim the truth . . . and he would do so obediently, consistently, and unashamedly.
Of course, one only needs read through the Pauline letters to see the consequences of his being so emboldened to share God's truth, for Paul would be hunted and persecuted throughout his missionary journeys. In 2 Corinthians 11 we find a detailed account by Paul of his sufferings on account of his faith, and this listing includes stoning, beatings, whippings, shipwrecks, hunger, cold, sleep deprivation, and many others. Still, Paul kept focused on what God called him to do, rather than give to his hearers what their itching ears wanted to hear. This is a messenger who honored the One who sent him, and God would be well pleased with the way Paul carried out his assignment.
This is a good word for us today. When we are called by God to serve Him (and all of us who have been saved are commissioned to service in the Kingdom of God), we must do what He calls us to do rather than trying to please men. In fact, when a servant of God is faithfully fulfilling his calling, invariably this will result in resistance and even persecution from others who walk in darkness. The Apostle Peter warns us not to be surprised as such reprisals of persecution as "though something strange were happening to you." They are to be expected . . . and endured with rejoicing that we are counted worthy to experience the "sufferings of Christ," knowing that joy awaits when our Lord's glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12).
So press on in your calling. Be kind and considerate, and love others genuinely; but never compromise the calling to which you have received from the Lord. For it is much more important that you please God rather than man.
As one reads through the book of Galatians, one quickly finds that Paul is deeply concerned for a church that had received the gospel, had been baptized, and even had experienced the power of God through miracles (3:5). Paul was grieved about the church's disposition because he previously had visited them (rather unexpectedly due to an unexpected illness [4:13]), and many were saved through his bold proclamation of the "good news" of Jesus Christ; however, by the time of Paul's letter, the church had fallen to the propaganda of the Judaizers from Jerusalem that demanded that the church rigidly follow the Mosaic law in order to be saved.
In his letter, Paul recounts his own journey through Judaism as one advancing more quickly through the ranks than others his age. In his zealous pursuit to the "traditions of (his) fathers," Paul was making a name for himself. He was on the fast track to becoming an esteemed religious figure within the Jewish community. But then something radically and wonderfully happened. God, in accordance with His own pleasure and will "called" Paul to genuine faith in Jesus Christ (1:15-16), and then God commissioned Paul to be an apostle to share the amazing grace that He affords to those who would receive it. To be sure, Paul exclaims that this glorious gospel of which he preached was not "something man made up . . . rather, (it was) received by revelation of Jesus Christ."
Paul then shares a rather focused and profound statement with the Galatians, namely that his purpose was not to please man, otherwise he would not be a servant of Jesus Christ. Paul understood that to be a chosen servant of the Almighty was to proclaim what the LORD desired the people to hear. Paul would not succumb again to the enticement to please those in religious authority in his community or the hearers of his message; instead, he would proclaim the truth . . . and he would do so obediently, consistently, and unashamedly.
Of course, one only needs read through the Pauline letters to see the consequences of his being so emboldened to share God's truth, for Paul would be hunted and persecuted throughout his missionary journeys. In 2 Corinthians 11 we find a detailed account by Paul of his sufferings on account of his faith, and this listing includes stoning, beatings, whippings, shipwrecks, hunger, cold, sleep deprivation, and many others. Still, Paul kept focused on what God called him to do, rather than give to his hearers what their itching ears wanted to hear. This is a messenger who honored the One who sent him, and God would be well pleased with the way Paul carried out his assignment.
This is a good word for us today. When we are called by God to serve Him (and all of us who have been saved are commissioned to service in the Kingdom of God), we must do what He calls us to do rather than trying to please men. In fact, when a servant of God is faithfully fulfilling his calling, invariably this will result in resistance and even persecution from others who walk in darkness. The Apostle Peter warns us not to be surprised as such reprisals of persecution as "though something strange were happening to you." They are to be expected . . . and endured with rejoicing that we are counted worthy to experience the "sufferings of Christ," knowing that joy awaits when our Lord's glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12).
So press on in your calling. Be kind and considerate, and love others genuinely; but never compromise the calling to which you have received from the Lord. For it is much more important that you please God rather than man.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Prepare Your Heart During the Times of Uncertainty
Ezra 7:6: "Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him."
The Jewish priest, Ezra, lived during a time when many of the Israelites had been in captivity to foreign nations for over 100 years. Even though God was working His plan of redemption and restoration for His people, it still was a time of difficulty and despondency, for the Jews had been in servitude for many years and many miles from their promised land from God. To be sure, God had moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia (ca. 538bc) to make proclamations for the Jewish people to rebuild the temple, but the implementation of this decree was not without difficulty. Even when the Jews arrived in Jerusalem and built the foundation for the House of God, the discouragement of it not being as impressive as Solomon's Temple and the pressures of the pagans around them, thwarting the constructive efforts led to a halting of the building for over a decade.
Yet even in the midst of such uncertain times, we find that Ezra was pouring his heart and mind over the sacred Scriptures of God. He did not permit the circumstances around him to bring such discouragement that he gave up on preparing his heart for God's Word to him and his people. Ezra knew that God would orchestrate His plans and purposes in His own timing, and all that Ezra needed to do was be prepared when God desired to use Him. And even though Ezra would not come to Jerusalem for over 50 years after the temple was completed, when he did arrive, the "hand of the LORD his God was on him" (Ezra 7:6). And we see in Ezra 7:10 that God's favor was on the priest because Ezra "devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD." This was not mere intellectual knowledge of God's expressed will; rather, this was full observance/obedience of what God wanted Ezra and the people to do to bring glory to God. And at just the right time (in God's timing), God would bring Ezra back to Jerusalem so that he could lead the people in a spiritual revival. In Nehemiah 8, we find that Ezra opened the Scriptures before the people and read from them, and he "praise the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, 'Amen! Amen!'" (Nehemiah 8:5-6). Later we find in this chapter that the time of celebration was greater than anything experienced since the time of Joshua, who lived 1000 years before. Truly it was a spectacular experience.
This is a very important word for us, for though we have not experienced the events that Ezra and the Jewish people experienced during that time, we too encounter difficult times . . . when we are uncertain as to why we are facing what we are going through and we wonder where God is in the midst of our difficulties. We need to be inspired from the reading of this text, for we know that God is never absent from us when we are facing troublesome times, and He desires for us to prepare our hearts by reading His Word of instruction and inspiration. We need to know that at just the right time, God will use our preparedness to orchestrate something wonderful for His glory, even though we don't know why we are going through our "valley" and we can't see how He can use such an experience for His plans and purposes. The worst thing we can do is capitulate to our difficult circumstances and fail to strengthen our hearts through intimate communion with God; for to follow such a path might impede God's using us for something marvelous.
So press on! Continue preparing your hearts and minds . . . knowing that your "labor in the Lord is not in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58).
The Jewish priest, Ezra, lived during a time when many of the Israelites had been in captivity to foreign nations for over 100 years. Even though God was working His plan of redemption and restoration for His people, it still was a time of difficulty and despondency, for the Jews had been in servitude for many years and many miles from their promised land from God. To be sure, God had moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia (ca. 538bc) to make proclamations for the Jewish people to rebuild the temple, but the implementation of this decree was not without difficulty. Even when the Jews arrived in Jerusalem and built the foundation for the House of God, the discouragement of it not being as impressive as Solomon's Temple and the pressures of the pagans around them, thwarting the constructive efforts led to a halting of the building for over a decade.
Yet even in the midst of such uncertain times, we find that Ezra was pouring his heart and mind over the sacred Scriptures of God. He did not permit the circumstances around him to bring such discouragement that he gave up on preparing his heart for God's Word to him and his people. Ezra knew that God would orchestrate His plans and purposes in His own timing, and all that Ezra needed to do was be prepared when God desired to use Him. And even though Ezra would not come to Jerusalem for over 50 years after the temple was completed, when he did arrive, the "hand of the LORD his God was on him" (Ezra 7:6). And we see in Ezra 7:10 that God's favor was on the priest because Ezra "devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD." This was not mere intellectual knowledge of God's expressed will; rather, this was full observance/obedience of what God wanted Ezra and the people to do to bring glory to God. And at just the right time (in God's timing), God would bring Ezra back to Jerusalem so that he could lead the people in a spiritual revival. In Nehemiah 8, we find that Ezra opened the Scriptures before the people and read from them, and he "praise the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, 'Amen! Amen!'" (Nehemiah 8:5-6). Later we find in this chapter that the time of celebration was greater than anything experienced since the time of Joshua, who lived 1000 years before. Truly it was a spectacular experience.
This is a very important word for us, for though we have not experienced the events that Ezra and the Jewish people experienced during that time, we too encounter difficult times . . . when we are uncertain as to why we are facing what we are going through and we wonder where God is in the midst of our difficulties. We need to be inspired from the reading of this text, for we know that God is never absent from us when we are facing troublesome times, and He desires for us to prepare our hearts by reading His Word of instruction and inspiration. We need to know that at just the right time, God will use our preparedness to orchestrate something wonderful for His glory, even though we don't know why we are going through our "valley" and we can't see how He can use such an experience for His plans and purposes. The worst thing we can do is capitulate to our difficult circumstances and fail to strengthen our hearts through intimate communion with God; for to follow such a path might impede God's using us for something marvelous.
So press on! Continue preparing your hearts and minds . . . knowing that your "labor in the Lord is not in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58).
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