Psalm 145:4-7: "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
In this passage, King David cites the calling of parents and other mature believers to tell new generations of the greatness of God in His glorious splendor as well as His goodness to His creation. David proceeds this word of instruction by describing his worship encounter with God. He says, "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever . . . . Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." One does not see a man who has to be coerced to worship the LORD; David is overflowing with passion and praise for the Lord of Hosts!
After the instruction given to the older generations to proclaim God's greatness, David praises God for His goodness: "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."
Later in the chapter, David continues with a reflection of God's greatness and goodness: "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all He has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."
This is a great chapter for parents and other mature believers to fulfill their calling to new generations of proclaiming the greatness and the goodness of our Holy God. This should not be a drudgery, but a delight. Older generations should be so overwhelmed by the majesty and goodness of the Lord, that they cannot help but shout praises to God. Our children should be able to see that our lives are bursting with joy and celebration for Our Lord. If we're unchanged by the presence of Christ in our lives, our children will see the duplicity of lifeless spirituality and will be turned away from such irreverence.
Be transformed. Be overcome. Be joyous. Be awestruck. Let the next generation see the power of a life radically impacted by our Glorious and Good God!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Learn Something From the Small Creatures
Proverbs 30:24-28: "Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces."
(I am most indebted to Dr. Haddon Robinson, Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, for his 1999 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary- Charlotte commencement address on this passage. Many of my reflective comments below have been influenced by his thoughtful insights on this text).
People today think that to learn invaluable words of wisdom, they must look toward those people and things that are greater than themselves; however when Agur, the author of Proverbs 30, gives us direction for gaining wisdom, he encourages us to look to the smaller creatures.
First, he identifies the ant. The ant is one of the smallest of the earthly creatures; in fact, it is so small that we may find ourselves stepping on one without even knowing it. And although the ant is very small in physical stature, it nonetheless knows the importance of preparedness. The ant knows that winter is just ahead; so it takes necessary steps to store up its food in the summer. The ant knows that if it were to wait until winter, it would not have enough food to sustain itself or its colony through the harsh, cold months.
We would do well to know the discipline and the diligence of the ant. We know that we all will face winters in our lives. They're packaged differently, but they still come our way. Whether our "winter" is a bad medical diagnosis or a financial catastrophe or the betrayal of a loved one, we know that we must ready ourselves now in the "summer" of life so that we are prepared for the winters ahead. Our preparedness comes through intimacy with God through His Word and through prayer. The more we are connected to Our Lord, the God of all Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), the more we are able to endure the bitter days of the future. Dr. Haddon Robinson, Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has once said, "What you carry into a crisis is what you have in a crisis." When we are experiencing a crisis, our eyes often are too wet with tears and our minds too distracted by the burdens of the situation for us to be able to glean much wisdom. This is why we need to be prepared today with God's Wisdom for the future.
The coney is a small, furry creature comparable to a rabbit. It is a rather powerless creature in terms of defending itself from predators; however, it is wise enough to know that its protection can be found by burrowing itself in the crags of large rocks. Were a coney to think that it is strong enough to protect itself from predators without any need of the safety of the crags, it would end up dead meat. The coney is otherwise defenseless without its safe haven of the rocks.
So too can we learn an invaluable lesson from this example. Our protection ultimately comes from our Rock, namely Jesus Christ (Psalm 18:2). When the Evil One would attempt to destroy us, we know that Christ is our Protector, our Deliverer, our Safety. We would never be able to defend ourselves were it not for our Savior. We would do well to remember that He is our ultimate Source of safety and protection. From Him only can come the blessing of peace and safety.
The locust is a rather small creature . . . a grasshopper that seems not to be a threat to anyone or any thing. Most of us have held grasshoppers in our hands and have been amused at their harmless demeanor. But one thing that a locust knows instinctively is that it can join with other locusts to increase its effectiveness. One locust will not harm much, but a swarm of locusts can bring kingdoms to their knees. When part of a collective purpose, the swarm can have a significant impact upon its environment.
Christians would do well to learn the patterns of the locusts. When Christians are unified in purpose of glorifying God and furthering His kingdom, they are able to accomplish much more than working separately. The Evil One would have us pitted against each other, for he knows that the sterility of the Church is in its disunity. When we are separated from each other by disagreements, our energy is consumed struggling against each other. Factions are created, and any potential, constructive kingdom work is wasted. We need to be like the locusts and join together to maximize our effectiveness for Our Lord (Ephesians 4:3).
The lizard is a rather small reptilian creature that is small enough to be held in the hand; yet despite its size, it is persistent enough that it can be found in king's palaces. I wonder if Agur had seen an occasional lizard make its way into the presence of a king? Maybe Agur was given permission to be before the king; and as he looked around at the magnificent regalia that adorned the king's chamber, maybe he noticed a lizard on a wall or floor. For a human to be given permission to approach a king was a high honor, and this privilege was not granted to everyone. Agur may have seen the lowly lizard in the king's presence and thought to himself, "what determination this creature has to be in such an esteemed place."
We would do well to remember that diligence and persistence will take us to places that we never would have imagined that we could go. Sometimes, God wants us to step out in faith and follow His lead, so that He can use us beyond our ability to fathom. We may think that we are limited in our potential for the Lord. We may think that God cannot use such a "lowly" insignificant person like us. But we must counter those thoughts with thoughts of obedience to Christ, no matter to what level that path may stretch us. The more diligent and persistent we are like the lizard, the more we may find ourselves, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in places that we would never have imagined, for the glory of God.
As Dr. Robinson so eloquently said in his commencement speech to us over 8 years ago, "the next time you see an ant, a coney, a locust, or a lizard, remember that despite their smallness they have a lot to teach us . . . and we have a lot to learn."
(I am most indebted to Dr. Haddon Robinson, Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, for his 1999 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary- Charlotte commencement address on this passage. Many of my reflective comments below have been influenced by his thoughtful insights on this text).
People today think that to learn invaluable words of wisdom, they must look toward those people and things that are greater than themselves; however when Agur, the author of Proverbs 30, gives us direction for gaining wisdom, he encourages us to look to the smaller creatures.
First, he identifies the ant. The ant is one of the smallest of the earthly creatures; in fact, it is so small that we may find ourselves stepping on one without even knowing it. And although the ant is very small in physical stature, it nonetheless knows the importance of preparedness. The ant knows that winter is just ahead; so it takes necessary steps to store up its food in the summer. The ant knows that if it were to wait until winter, it would not have enough food to sustain itself or its colony through the harsh, cold months.
We would do well to know the discipline and the diligence of the ant. We know that we all will face winters in our lives. They're packaged differently, but they still come our way. Whether our "winter" is a bad medical diagnosis or a financial catastrophe or the betrayal of a loved one, we know that we must ready ourselves now in the "summer" of life so that we are prepared for the winters ahead. Our preparedness comes through intimacy with God through His Word and through prayer. The more we are connected to Our Lord, the God of all Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), the more we are able to endure the bitter days of the future. Dr. Haddon Robinson, Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has once said, "What you carry into a crisis is what you have in a crisis." When we are experiencing a crisis, our eyes often are too wet with tears and our minds too distracted by the burdens of the situation for us to be able to glean much wisdom. This is why we need to be prepared today with God's Wisdom for the future.
The coney is a small, furry creature comparable to a rabbit. It is a rather powerless creature in terms of defending itself from predators; however, it is wise enough to know that its protection can be found by burrowing itself in the crags of large rocks. Were a coney to think that it is strong enough to protect itself from predators without any need of the safety of the crags, it would end up dead meat. The coney is otherwise defenseless without its safe haven of the rocks.
So too can we learn an invaluable lesson from this example. Our protection ultimately comes from our Rock, namely Jesus Christ (Psalm 18:2). When the Evil One would attempt to destroy us, we know that Christ is our Protector, our Deliverer, our Safety. We would never be able to defend ourselves were it not for our Savior. We would do well to remember that He is our ultimate Source of safety and protection. From Him only can come the blessing of peace and safety.
The locust is a rather small creature . . . a grasshopper that seems not to be a threat to anyone or any thing. Most of us have held grasshoppers in our hands and have been amused at their harmless demeanor. But one thing that a locust knows instinctively is that it can join with other locusts to increase its effectiveness. One locust will not harm much, but a swarm of locusts can bring kingdoms to their knees. When part of a collective purpose, the swarm can have a significant impact upon its environment.
Christians would do well to learn the patterns of the locusts. When Christians are unified in purpose of glorifying God and furthering His kingdom, they are able to accomplish much more than working separately. The Evil One would have us pitted against each other, for he knows that the sterility of the Church is in its disunity. When we are separated from each other by disagreements, our energy is consumed struggling against each other. Factions are created, and any potential, constructive kingdom work is wasted. We need to be like the locusts and join together to maximize our effectiveness for Our Lord (Ephesians 4:3).
The lizard is a rather small reptilian creature that is small enough to be held in the hand; yet despite its size, it is persistent enough that it can be found in king's palaces. I wonder if Agur had seen an occasional lizard make its way into the presence of a king? Maybe Agur was given permission to be before the king; and as he looked around at the magnificent regalia that adorned the king's chamber, maybe he noticed a lizard on a wall or floor. For a human to be given permission to approach a king was a high honor, and this privilege was not granted to everyone. Agur may have seen the lowly lizard in the king's presence and thought to himself, "what determination this creature has to be in such an esteemed place."
We would do well to remember that diligence and persistence will take us to places that we never would have imagined that we could go. Sometimes, God wants us to step out in faith and follow His lead, so that He can use us beyond our ability to fathom. We may think that we are limited in our potential for the Lord. We may think that God cannot use such a "lowly" insignificant person like us. But we must counter those thoughts with thoughts of obedience to Christ, no matter to what level that path may stretch us. The more diligent and persistent we are like the lizard, the more we may find ourselves, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in places that we would never have imagined, for the glory of God.
As Dr. Robinson so eloquently said in his commencement speech to us over 8 years ago, "the next time you see an ant, a coney, a locust, or a lizard, remember that despite their smallness they have a lot to teach us . . . and we have a lot to learn."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Be Open To Correction
Psalm 141:5; Proverbs 29:1: “Let a righteous man strike me-it is a kindness; let him rebuke me-it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it . . . . A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.”
We all struggle with the notion of self-sufficiency. Many times we think that we have all the answers to our daily lives, and we think that we are not in need of advice (and certainly not correction) from others. And although we easily can fall prey to the notion that we don’t need a word of rebuke or admonishment, we absolutely need to have mature believers in Christ confronting us about sin in our lives with the hope of correction and restoration (Galatians 6:1-2). No one is above the need of a loving rebuke from a fellow believer, for we are all tempted to sin and sometimes fall to its enticements.
The church has been created by God for the purpose of being a place where believers can corporately worship the Lord and a place where mutual edification of believers can occur. We are able to minister to one another in the faith by carrying one another’s burdens and by giving objective insight to each other about situations in our lives. This is why we need to be connected to a body of true believers who uphold the truths of God’s Word and are committed to being obedient to Christ (Hebrews 10:23-25). Proverbs 27:17 suggests that we are to sharpen each other as “iron sharpens iron.” Sharpening of blades does not occur without tension and friction, but in the end each blade is more resourceful in its sharpened condition. So too it is with a true believer’s confrontation. Our Christian friends may see the need to approach us with the concern that we are moving in a direction that is disobedient to our Lord. We must remember that the words shared by a friend, though painful at the time, may be the instrument that the Holy Spirit uses to convict our hearts of sin. We in turn must be humble enough to receive such words of direction. Even if the words shared are of a concern that is not warranted, we have the responsibility to love our friends and express appreciation to them for their willingness to love us by confronting us.
It is the obstinate, “stiff-necked” person who will suffer in the end. In his prideful condition, he is insistent that he is beyond any need of correction by others. He takes serious offense to one who would approach him about an area that is perceived as being disobedient to Christ. He turns a deaf ear to any words of rebuke and makes it a point to scold anyone who would dare question his character. God’s Word states that this person is stupid (Proverbs 12:1); that is, he is not sensible to the valuable words of re-direction that can lead him down the road of righteousness. In his sinister rebellion against correction, he commits his greatest energies toward discrediting those who would dare confront him. Such animosity is evidence of a heart that may be completely void of a relationship with Christ; “Why?” You may ask? The answer, as Galatians 5 suggests, is "obvious." These acts of the sinful nature (hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and the like) are those that are the evidential fruit of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). Persistent production of such fruit reveals a heart that is unresponsive to the Holy Spirit.
Remember, true friendship is found in one being straightforward and honest; merely exchanging pleasant platitudes with others reveals a heart that is more concerned with selfish returns from that person (i.e. the need for acceptance, affirmation, etc.) than with having the other person’s best interest at heart.
Proverbs 27:5,6,9 share keen insight to this thought: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses . . . . Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.”
We all struggle with the notion of self-sufficiency. Many times we think that we have all the answers to our daily lives, and we think that we are not in need of advice (and certainly not correction) from others. And although we easily can fall prey to the notion that we don’t need a word of rebuke or admonishment, we absolutely need to have mature believers in Christ confronting us about sin in our lives with the hope of correction and restoration (Galatians 6:1-2). No one is above the need of a loving rebuke from a fellow believer, for we are all tempted to sin and sometimes fall to its enticements.
The church has been created by God for the purpose of being a place where believers can corporately worship the Lord and a place where mutual edification of believers can occur. We are able to minister to one another in the faith by carrying one another’s burdens and by giving objective insight to each other about situations in our lives. This is why we need to be connected to a body of true believers who uphold the truths of God’s Word and are committed to being obedient to Christ (Hebrews 10:23-25). Proverbs 27:17 suggests that we are to sharpen each other as “iron sharpens iron.” Sharpening of blades does not occur without tension and friction, but in the end each blade is more resourceful in its sharpened condition. So too it is with a true believer’s confrontation. Our Christian friends may see the need to approach us with the concern that we are moving in a direction that is disobedient to our Lord. We must remember that the words shared by a friend, though painful at the time, may be the instrument that the Holy Spirit uses to convict our hearts of sin. We in turn must be humble enough to receive such words of direction. Even if the words shared are of a concern that is not warranted, we have the responsibility to love our friends and express appreciation to them for their willingness to love us by confronting us.
It is the obstinate, “stiff-necked” person who will suffer in the end. In his prideful condition, he is insistent that he is beyond any need of correction by others. He takes serious offense to one who would approach him about an area that is perceived as being disobedient to Christ. He turns a deaf ear to any words of rebuke and makes it a point to scold anyone who would dare question his character. God’s Word states that this person is stupid (Proverbs 12:1); that is, he is not sensible to the valuable words of re-direction that can lead him down the road of righteousness. In his sinister rebellion against correction, he commits his greatest energies toward discrediting those who would dare confront him. Such animosity is evidence of a heart that may be completely void of a relationship with Christ; “Why?” You may ask? The answer, as Galatians 5 suggests, is "obvious." These acts of the sinful nature (hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and the like) are those that are the evidential fruit of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). Persistent production of such fruit reveals a heart that is unresponsive to the Holy Spirit.
Remember, true friendship is found in one being straightforward and honest; merely exchanging pleasant platitudes with others reveals a heart that is more concerned with selfish returns from that person (i.e. the need for acceptance, affirmation, etc.) than with having the other person’s best interest at heart.
Proverbs 27:5,6,9 share keen insight to this thought: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses . . . . Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.”
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Transparency
Proverbs 28:13: “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy . . .
Psalm 139:1-3, 23-24: “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from a far. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my misgivings. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
When we try to hide our sins from God, inevitably we find ourselves suffering the consequences of our disobedience to the LORD. We can't fool God; nor can we hide our sins from Him. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows where we are, what we're doing, and what we're thinking (Psalm 139:4,7-10).
The Psalmist in chapter 139 states this fact well. In the first verses of the chapter he states, "You've searched me and You know me . . . You know where I go and You know my thoughts. You know ALL my ways." David knows that he is completely transparent before the Lord; nothing in David’s life is getting past God. So instead of trying to hide his sins, David asks the LORD to search Him and find any misgivings that may be in his heart. In his quest for intimacy with the LORD, David wants to be completely clean.
A person desiring true intimacy with God will be transparent, vulnerable, and subject to the Lord’s illumination of his sin. He will submit to that word of conviction from the Lord and repent.
Let’s not try to hide from God. Let’s be open to His leading us into “the Way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:1-3, 23-24: “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from a far. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my misgivings. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
When we try to hide our sins from God, inevitably we find ourselves suffering the consequences of our disobedience to the LORD. We can't fool God; nor can we hide our sins from Him. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows where we are, what we're doing, and what we're thinking (Psalm 139:4,7-10).
The Psalmist in chapter 139 states this fact well. In the first verses of the chapter he states, "You've searched me and You know me . . . You know where I go and You know my thoughts. You know ALL my ways." David knows that he is completely transparent before the Lord; nothing in David’s life is getting past God. So instead of trying to hide his sins, David asks the LORD to search Him and find any misgivings that may be in his heart. In his quest for intimacy with the LORD, David wants to be completely clean.
A person desiring true intimacy with God will be transparent, vulnerable, and subject to the Lord’s illumination of his sin. He will submit to that word of conviction from the Lord and repent.
Let’s not try to hide from God. Let’s be open to His leading us into “the Way everlasting.”
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Idolatry
Psalm 135:15-18: "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them."
Idolatry has been a persistent problem with humanity since the beginning of time. In history past, cultures would craft idols, many times out of ornate elements like gold or bronze; and they would worship the things that they had created. Many believed that their gods would inhabit such inanimate objects once they were crafted; thus, the people would pay homage to these supposed deities and petition these deities for their needs.
Idolatry has been a persistent problem with humanity since the beginning of time. In history past, cultures would craft idols, many times out of ornate elements like gold or bronze; and they would worship the things that they had created. Many believed that their gods would inhabit such inanimate objects once they were crafted; thus, the people would pay homage to these supposed deities and petition these deities for their needs.
Conveniently, these inanimate objects were never able to communicate their divine will to the people worshipping them; thus, people were given license to interpret what their lifeless gods wanted them to do. I use the term "conveniently" because the people ended up serving their own selfish interests in the process. There was no deity to express consternation at the people's licentious behavior; for this reason, they were able to indulge in all kinds of immoral behaviors without apparent consequence. In fact, they would proclaim that their god(s) encouraged such libertine behavior.
Whereas in the modern world we may look with skepticism at societies that would craft inanimate objects into things worshipped, we nonetheless are apt to follow similar pursuits. Anything that displaces the worship of the true God of Heaven is idolatry, be it money, careers, relationships, substances, education, etc. And just like these people who would rationalize their antinomian behavior, we too can fall prey to the entrapment that our behavior is justified or even expected because of the benefits that we experience.
The foundation of all sin in the world is the quest of humanity to be divine itself! This first occurred with Adam and Eve desiring to be gods (Genesis 3:5); they wanted to be the center of the universe and not have to pay homage to the True Lord. So too with idol worship, we find that those who respond to such practices are attempting to secure license to do whatever they desire to do and be the center of their own universe. Irrespective of how we practice our idolatry, we nonetheless reveal that we are attempting to serve ourselves in order that we might assert our feigned claim to divinity.
Since our first priority in life is to glorify God, we fail to accomplish our purpose in life when we follow such paths of rebellion. We must repent of the "idols" that are in our lives that are mere smoke screens to our own quest for lordship. Our purpose in life is not to satisfy our own desires; the universe does not revolve around us. We would do well to submit ourselves to the True Lord. It is only through submission to the King of Kings that we will find His blessing. We can start by searching for Him through His Word, the Bible. Our God is not a lifeless deity who cannot communicate with us. His Word tells us exactly what we should do to acknowledge Him as the Lord.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
What Makes God Hearing Impaired?
Ezekiel 8:16-18: "He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east. He said to me, "Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the house of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually provoke me to anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose! Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them."
This passage in the book of Ezekiel has the Spirit of God taking the prophet Ezekiel to the temple to see the detestable things that the religious leaders were doing. Whereas these leaders were to be honoring the LORD through the required sacrifices, they were instead turning their backs upon the presence of the LORD and were worshipping the sun. Of course, this was just one episode in a plurality of scenarios in which the entire Jewish people were adulterating themselves against their covenantal commitment to the LORD alone (Ezekiel 6:9). Each man had an idol in his house . . . an idol in which he worshipped instead of the true God (Ezekiel 8:9-12). And although the idols varied from home to home, in reality these rebellious people were worshipping inanimate objects that would not reprimand them for their immoral, detestable practices. These idols displaced the One True God in the people's lives because the feigned substitutes would not hold them accountable for their debased, immoral lifestyles.
The point had been reached when the people had become rather flagrant in their detestable immorality and idol worship, for what they once did behind closed doors was now being practiced on mountaintops (Ezekiel 6:13). They had become obstinate and rebellious people who demanded that they have right to do whatever their sinful hearts desired to do (Ezekiel 2:4); thus, they were asserting their own quest for lordship over the true God. The worshipping of inanimate idols was merely a subtle way of attempting to displace the obvious fact that they worshipped themselves.
God would soon bring judgment against the Israelites through the invasion by the Babylonians (605-586 BC). First, God removed His Glory from the temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10). And as He exited the temple and ascended from the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 11:23), God removed His protective hand from His chosen people. Soon thereafter, the Babylonians would invade the land, taking some captive and destroying most of the others. Some believe that as many as 90% of the population in the land were displaced or killed as a result of the invasion. The people would cry out to God for deliverance; however, God would not hear them. The point of no return had been reached; God's patience had been replaced with His judgment.
Over 1000 years prior, God had told Moses that these events would occur. In Deuteronomy 31:16-18, God said that the people would "prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they were entering" (Deuteronomy 31:16). God told Moses when He brought judgment, He would turn a deaf ear to them due to their chronic wickedness.
Today, we would do well to hear these words of the Lord. Because the Lord is not fickle and does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17), we should examine ourselves as to our ultimate allegiance. Are we submitted to God alone or are we following after our own selfish desires? As Deuteronomy 33:3 tells us, those who bow to the Lord and are obedient to His instruction should expect to find His protection and love. They are the ones who will be set apart for His purposes and glory. Those who want to worship themselves can expect God's wrath to be poured out upon them in this life and in the life to come. They will cry out, but God will not listen
This passage in the book of Ezekiel has the Spirit of God taking the prophet Ezekiel to the temple to see the detestable things that the religious leaders were doing. Whereas these leaders were to be honoring the LORD through the required sacrifices, they were instead turning their backs upon the presence of the LORD and were worshipping the sun. Of course, this was just one episode in a plurality of scenarios in which the entire Jewish people were adulterating themselves against their covenantal commitment to the LORD alone (Ezekiel 6:9). Each man had an idol in his house . . . an idol in which he worshipped instead of the true God (Ezekiel 8:9-12). And although the idols varied from home to home, in reality these rebellious people were worshipping inanimate objects that would not reprimand them for their immoral, detestable practices. These idols displaced the One True God in the people's lives because the feigned substitutes would not hold them accountable for their debased, immoral lifestyles.
The point had been reached when the people had become rather flagrant in their detestable immorality and idol worship, for what they once did behind closed doors was now being practiced on mountaintops (Ezekiel 6:13). They had become obstinate and rebellious people who demanded that they have right to do whatever their sinful hearts desired to do (Ezekiel 2:4); thus, they were asserting their own quest for lordship over the true God. The worshipping of inanimate idols was merely a subtle way of attempting to displace the obvious fact that they worshipped themselves.
God would soon bring judgment against the Israelites through the invasion by the Babylonians (605-586 BC). First, God removed His Glory from the temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10). And as He exited the temple and ascended from the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 11:23), God removed His protective hand from His chosen people. Soon thereafter, the Babylonians would invade the land, taking some captive and destroying most of the others. Some believe that as many as 90% of the population in the land were displaced or killed as a result of the invasion. The people would cry out to God for deliverance; however, God would not hear them. The point of no return had been reached; God's patience had been replaced with His judgment.
Over 1000 years prior, God had told Moses that these events would occur. In Deuteronomy 31:16-18, God said that the people would "prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they were entering" (Deuteronomy 31:16). God told Moses when He brought judgment, He would turn a deaf ear to them due to their chronic wickedness.
Today, we would do well to hear these words of the Lord. Because the Lord is not fickle and does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17), we should examine ourselves as to our ultimate allegiance. Are we submitted to God alone or are we following after our own selfish desires? As Deuteronomy 33:3 tells us, those who bow to the Lord and are obedient to His instruction should expect to find His protection and love. They are the ones who will be set apart for His purposes and glory. Those who want to worship themselves can expect God's wrath to be poured out upon them in this life and in the life to come. They will cry out, but God will not listen
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
No Excuses
Deuteronomy 29:19-21; 30:11-19: "When such a person hears the words of this oath (God's Covenant [29:12-13]), he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, 'I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.' This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven. The LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law . . . . Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed . . . . This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses."
Here is the crux of salvation. God has given his covenantal oath that He will be our God (29:13). Still, the covenantal stipulations dictate that we must be yielded to God alone as our Lord and Savior. The one who would conclude that he can go his own way, to satisfy his own desires and seek his own adulation, is in effect saying that he is his own god. By his actions, this man proclaims that he has himself on the throne of his life, not the Lord. God in turn pronounces that a curse will befall that man. The Lord's wrath and zeal will burn against him, and God will enact curses upon such rebellion. Such a person has no hope for heaven, for God will "blot out his name from under heaven."
No one will have the excuse that God's Word was not readily available to all, for God has made His Word of truth readily available. That truth proclaims that we are not God; rather, we are the mere creation of a Holy, Sovereign Lord. We have all rebelled against God by seeking our own desires above Him, and this quest for personal satisfaction and aggrandizement above God (made manifest in many different forms) is called sin.
Sin (rebellion) against God brings God's wrath. Because we are not able to satisfy the penalty for our sins, God had to come to pay the penalty for us. This is why Jesus, who is the Second Person of the Triune God, came to the Earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again from the grave. His death paid the penalty for our sins; his resurrection proclaimed His victory over sin and death. His precious gift of salvation necessitates a response from us; to refuse to submit to Jesus as Lord and to renounce His gift of his death and resurrection for the payment for our sins is to commit treason against God. Such treason will result in utter destruction (30:18).
Even for those who do not have access to the Bible, God has revealed his "eternal power and divine nature . . . from what has been made [i.e. creation], so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). All men have within them the conscious understanding of right and wrong; thus the understanding of God's expectation of righteousness is not "too difficult or beyond our reach" (Deuteronomy 30:11). Heaven and earth stand as witnesses against those who do not submit to the Lord. Eternal life and eternal death weigh in the balance. What will you decide today? You have no excuse!
Here is the crux of salvation. God has given his covenantal oath that He will be our God (29:13). Still, the covenantal stipulations dictate that we must be yielded to God alone as our Lord and Savior. The one who would conclude that he can go his own way, to satisfy his own desires and seek his own adulation, is in effect saying that he is his own god. By his actions, this man proclaims that he has himself on the throne of his life, not the Lord. God in turn pronounces that a curse will befall that man. The Lord's wrath and zeal will burn against him, and God will enact curses upon such rebellion. Such a person has no hope for heaven, for God will "blot out his name from under heaven."
No one will have the excuse that God's Word was not readily available to all, for God has made His Word of truth readily available. That truth proclaims that we are not God; rather, we are the mere creation of a Holy, Sovereign Lord. We have all rebelled against God by seeking our own desires above Him, and this quest for personal satisfaction and aggrandizement above God (made manifest in many different forms) is called sin.
Sin (rebellion) against God brings God's wrath. Because we are not able to satisfy the penalty for our sins, God had to come to pay the penalty for us. This is why Jesus, who is the Second Person of the Triune God, came to the Earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again from the grave. His death paid the penalty for our sins; his resurrection proclaimed His victory over sin and death. His precious gift of salvation necessitates a response from us; to refuse to submit to Jesus as Lord and to renounce His gift of his death and resurrection for the payment for our sins is to commit treason against God. Such treason will result in utter destruction (30:18).
Even for those who do not have access to the Bible, God has revealed his "eternal power and divine nature . . . from what has been made [i.e. creation], so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). All men have within them the conscious understanding of right and wrong; thus the understanding of God's expectation of righteousness is not "too difficult or beyond our reach" (Deuteronomy 30:11). Heaven and earth stand as witnesses against those who do not submit to the Lord. Eternal life and eternal death weigh in the balance. What will you decide today? You have no excuse!
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