Category: Encouragement

Good News & The Poor

Posted on by scott

22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” – Luke 7:22

Evidence

As we looked at in the last devotion, at the end of his life, John the Baptist wanted assurance that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah.  John, in a moment of doubt, wanted to make sure he had not labored in vain, preparing the way for the “wrong’ deliverer.  When we consider what John “sacrificed”, we can appreciate his concern.

When we look at the response of Jesus, one of the signs He gives as evidence that He is the One that was promised seems out of place.  After listing five miracles in the physical realm, Jesus concludes His list by shifting to the Spiritual realm.  “The poor have good news preached to them.” 

In this list, is preaching good news to the poor anticlimactic or is it the crescendo?  While preaching to the poor may not be as “glamorous” as restoring the sight of a blind man or raising the dead, it is the climax of Jesus’ work.

What Poor?

Living in our Western culture of affluence, it is difficult for us to relate to “the poor”.  Sure Jesus told us that the poor will always be with us (Matthew 26:11), but what impact does that have on the way we live out our faith?  Is the fact that the poor will always be with us a source of discouragement or motivation?  Certainly Jesus modeled and taught the Church to care for the poor and needy, but their spiritual needs were always His top priority.

If we keep our focus on spiritual poverty we gain a better appreciation for the fact that the Suffering Servant would preach good news to the poor.  We must never diminish the Good news.  We must never replace it with any other gospel (Galatians 1:8), including a social gospel.  A look at the passage from Isaiah that Jesus was alluding to as evidence that He was the Christ reveals the emphasis of his preaching.

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;  – Isaiah 61:1-2

The Poor!

When we think of the poor it is easy to think of those like the widow whom Jesus commended for offering her last two mites.  But as desperate as she was, she does not represent the poor Isaiah was referring to .

In his commentary on Isaiah, John N. Oswalt said this, “Who are the poor?  Those who are so broken by life that they have no more heart to try; those who are so bound up in their various addictions that liberty and release are a cruel mirage; those who think that they will never again experience the favor of the Lord, or see his just vengeance meted out against those who have misused them; those who think that their lives hold  nothing more than ashes, sackcloth, and the fainting heaviness of despair.  These are they to whom the Servant/Messiah shouts ‘Good news!’.“

Good News

What is the good news?  God is victorious.  Who is the good news?  Jesus.  Jesus not only preaches the good news, He fulfills it.  He brings it to fruition.  In the modern vernacular, He delivers!

Have no doubt John; your cousin is The One.  The tomb is empty.  Jesus is at the Father’s right hand.  Sin will not have the last word.

Jesus, the great Physician, will bind (bandage) the brokenhearted.  Jesus, the King, will proclaim liberty to the captives.  He has the authority and power to do so.  Freedom from sin and addictions are not a mirage, but reality!  Sin’s prison bars cannot hold those whom Christ has set free with the Truth (John 8:32).

Want good news?  Jesus will comfort those who mourn.  Ashes, sackcloths, and despair, will give way to beautiful headdresses, oil of gladness and garments of praise.  Fainting heaviness will give way to joyous praise.

For the spiritually poor, Jesus is Good News.  In Jesus, there is spiritual peace. In Jesus, there is spiritual prosperity.

36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),… 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 10:36 & 43

Preaching

In addition to Jesus, Elijah, Elisha, Peter, and Paul also raised people from the dead.  In addition to Jesus, Elisha also healed a leper.  Other than Jesus, I am not aware of any other case where the blind were restored their sight or the deaf their hearing.  Regardless, these occurrences are rare.  They are unique signs.  But like Simon the Sorcerer observing Philip, we are amazed by these signs and miracles (Acts 8:13).  Many of us, perhaps, also desire to do such works.  But Philips greatest work wasn’t his miracles, but his preaching.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. – Acts 8:12

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was unleashed and the Church began to boldly preach the resurrected Christ.  Read the Book of Acts and beginning with Peter’s sermon in chapter two, watch how God blesses the preaching of the Good News.  As formerly fearful men, now empowered by the Holy Spirit, were faithfully preaching the Good News, sinners were being saved.  The spiritually poor were transformed into heirs of God.  What could be better News?

 

Look Around

When we reflect on the parables of Jesus, we see Him constantly emphasizing the fact that God has extended His grace to the outcasts.  Those that society had deemed inadequate or undeserving found favor with God.  With Jesus none are despised or alienated.  Grace doesn’t discriminate against the insecure.  It doesn’t turn a blind eye to the underprivileged.  Raising the dead to life may garner you a lot of attention, if you could do it, but extending God’s grace to the poor is more important.  And you are expected to do it!

When Jesus ministered on earth, he was condemned for associating with sinners and tax collectors.  While the self-righteous of His day avoided the “sick”, Jesus recognized their need for a doctor.  Jesus was indifferent to being labeled a “glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of sinners and tax collectors” (Luke 7:34).  He recognized them as the poor, and preached the good news to them.

While you and I may not be Isaiah’s Suffering Servant, Jesus has promised us that once He sent the Holy Spirit, His disciples would be able, and expected, to do greater works than He had done (John 14:12).  Ours is the privilege of preaching good news to the poor so Jesus can bandage their broken hearts and set them free from their bondage; turning their mourning into joy and their despair into praise.

Western affluence aside, if we take a look around us we will find that we are surrounded by the poor.  Those whom Jesus would befriend.  Those whom He died for.  Who cares if the world calls us friends of the sinners and tax collectors of our day, as long as God deems our feet beautiful.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” – Romans 10:15b

Rainbows and Rings

Posted on by scott

16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” – Genesis 9:16-17

Golden Anniversary

Today we joined in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of my wife’s maternal aunt (Mary Ann) and uncle (Jim).  The celebration was special on many accounts.  First of all, fifty years of marriage represents some degree of  longevity.  With couples increasingly choosing to delay marriage, reaching the golden anniversary may become more difficult.  Secondly, with skyrocketing divorce rates, witnessing fifty years of commitment to one spouse may become more and more rare.  I recognize that with a population that is growing exponentially statistics will dictate that we will continue to see more golden anniversaries, but they will always be special.  Marriage between a man and a woman was God’s idea.  And so is being true to our word.

Perhaps the thing that made today’s celebration the most special, is that the wedding almost did not take place.  While Jim and Mary Ann were deeply in love and committed to one another, Mary Ann had to share Jim with Uncle Sam and the Vietnam war.  Not wanting to risk making Mary Ann a young widow, the two decided to wait until Uncle Sam was done with Jim before they would get married.  On May 22nd 1967, Jim departed for Vietnam.  As he said his good-byes to Mary Ann and the others, he did not know if he would see them again on this side of eternity.  With tears in her eyes, Mary Ann watched and waved until Jim’s plane was enveloped by clouds.  Little could they have known what storms were hiding behind the clouds.

Missing Letters

As sweethearts, Jim and Mary Ann were prolific letter writers.  In fact, as soon as Jim landed in San Francisco he wrote Mary Ann a letter promising he would return from the war and make her his wife.  The task before him had to be done, so it might as well be done with a positive outlook.  They agreed that they would get through each day by looking forward to their wedding.  Until that day, letters would have to suffice.

Jim wrote Mary Ann a letter dated June 18th, 1967.  It was written a day after a patrol in the Rung Sat region.  In the letter Jim told Mary Ann that the following day would begin a six day mission.  The letter also mentioned the casualties Jim had witnessed on his first mission, as well as his aspirations for a “formal” engagement.  As he had mentioned previously, it would be the hope of the future bliss of marriage that would help them to endure the current realities of war.  In his postscript Jim affirmed his love for Mary Ann and promised to shower her with it when he returned.  It was the last letter Mary Ann would receive until July 2nd, her 21th birthday.

Bullets & A Chaplain

On the first day of the mentioned six day mission, Jim’s division (Charlie Company) took heavy casualties.  Crossing a rice field, they came under heavy fire from well entrenched Viet Cong’s.  While crawling on his stomach seeking cover from a fallen comrade, a bullet hit Jim’s left hand and ricocheted up entering his chest and exiting above his right hip.  Was Jim going to be another casualty?  He was completely exposed to the intense fire of the enemy.  As his lifeblood was mixing with the Vietnam mud his future plans seemed to be nothing more than a fading hope.  But Jim had a cover his eyes could not behold.

By “chance”, Charlie Company had a special guest in the field, Chaplain Windmiller.  Bernard Windmiller was a civilian minister called up to active duty in 1966.  As a chaplain, he carried no other weapon than his faith.  His job was to look after the moral and religious needs of “the boys”.  As Jim lay bleeding in the middle of the rice field, Chaplain Windmiller, under heavy gunfire, made his way to Jim.  For an hour he lay next to him, bandaged him, and encouraged him by reminding him of the presence of God.  The entire time the enemy was sending bullets over them.

Medals & Rings

Chaplain Windmiller would stay by Jim’s side until a Med Evac chopper was finally able to take him out of the battlefield.  For Jim, the war was over.  Many more would be killed on Vietnamese soil, but Jim would not be numbered with them.  Instead, he was safely flown to Saigon and attended to.  When he was well enough he wrote to his future bride and detailed the events of his mission and the extent of his injuries.

From a Viet Cong bullet, Jim’s body was scarred from his war experience.  From his Government, Jim would receive a Purple Heart for his scars.  Reminders of the realities of war and the consequences of sin.  But Mary Ann was back home awaiting his arrival.  He promised he would return and marry her, and God allowed him to fulfill his promise.  While the purple heart would be displayed on a shelf, Jim was finally able to place a ring on Mary Ann’s finger.  The rainbow followed the storm.

Arks & Rain

In Genesis chapter six, we see the first Biblical record of the word Covenant.  The Bible tells us that God has seen enough violence.  Sin is out of control.  God goes to righteous Noah and instructs him to make an ark.  God is going to flood the earth and destroy the evil that is corrupting it.  Everything that is not safely in the ark will be killed, but God promises Noah He will establish a covenant with him.

After one hundred and twenty years of construction, the ark is finished and filled with “clean” animals.  After God closed the doors of the ark, the flood waters came.  The wrath of God was meted out against sin.  As Genesis records, God blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the earth, except for Noah and those that were with him.  Without the refuge of an ark, one can only tread water for so long.  But for the righteous, God will always provide an ark.

Rainbows & Covenants

In time the floodwaters would subside, and Noah, his family, and the clean animals would exit the ark.  Noah built an altar to the Lord and offered a burnt offering to God.  The offering was pleasing to God and God established the promised covenant with Noah and every living creature.  Despite man’s sinfulness, God promised Noah he would never again destroy the earth with a flood.  As a sign of His covenant, God set His bow in the cloud.  Whenever the rainbow is in the sky, we are reminded of God’s covenant promise.  He will not go back on His Word.  He cannot go back on His Word.

The covenant God made after the flood would be followed by others.  Covenants that are accompanied with signs, and guaranteed with seals.  Covenants that we can place our faith in because of God’s character.  Covenants we can bank on because God keeps His Word.  Covenants that remind us of the sanctity of the marriage covenant and the weight of our words when we say “I do”!

 Storms

I have never crawled across a rice field in a foreign land.  I have never been shot at much less shot in the chest.  I don’t know what it is like to be confined in an ark while the rest of civilization is literally drowning around me.  While I can’t relate to these specific experiences, I do know one thing, there will always be battles to fight, and there will always be storms on the horizon.  But as Jim learned as he was bleeding in the rice field, God never abandons us.  In Christ, we always have cover.

In his book, The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw interviewed numerous World War II vets.  When asked about his concerns regarding the current generation, one wise vet made this comment, ” The problem today is people don’t know how to fight”.  We are a generation of quitters!  We are a generation of runners!  We don’t understand the true value of the things we should be fighting for.  Marriage can be difficult, but it is worth the fight!!  The storms will come, but the rainbow will follow.  You have God’s Word on it.

Rings

“For better of for worse.”  “Till death do us part.”  That ring on your finger is a sign of a covenant you have made before witnesses.  A sign of a covenant you have made before God.   You may feel stranded in an open field under enemy fire, but don’t give up.  God wants you to fulfill your vows.  God has enabled you to do so.  As a Child of God you are covered by the blood of Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  As a child of the New Covenant, your Faith is the only weapon you need.

I don’t know if my wife and I will see our Golden Anniversary, only God does.  But I do know that we are each committed to the covenant we made when we exchanged rings nearly thirty four years ago.  We have been through our storms together, and I am sure we will encounter more, but we have resolved to honor our marriage covenant no matter what comes our way.  The rainbow is our reminder that God will never go back on His Word.  Our rings on our fingers remind us that we never should either.

I believe we will never truly appreciate weddings and anniversaries until we grasp the significance of Covenants and our Covenant keeping God.  Which made today such a special day.

God willing, I hope my wife and I can celebrate our Golden Anniversary some day.  Celebrating not just our love and commitment to one another, but giving glory to our faithful God who puts the rainbow in the clouds after a storm.

Healing Wings

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2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. – Malachi 4:2

Malachi’s Task

Like many of his predecessors, Malachi had the unenviable task of rebuking and warning God’s chosen people.  Jeremiah had recorded the deep sorrow of the Jewish people when they were taken captive and removed from their homeland.  Daniel could not conceal his excitement when he realized the impending return of his people after years of captivity.  The Prophets Ezra and Nehemiah record the return of many Jews from Babylon captivity back to Jerusalem.  One would hope that years of exile would “reform” God’s people, but such was not the case.  As Nehemiah concludes his writing he gives us a list of final reforms he had to make because the Priests and people were not living in accordance with God’s commands (Nehemiah 13).  I am not sure how long Nehemiah’s reforms had any impact, but thirty years later Malachi shows us Israel’s propensity for wandering from God.

Despising God’s Name

Despite God’s love for Israel (Malachi 1:2), the love has not been reciprocated.  Rather than the fear and honor He deserves as Father and Master, God charges the Priests with despising His name.  Specifically, Malachi rebukes the Priests for offering polluted sacrifices on the altar (1:6-2:9).  The Priests were offering animals that God had specifically forbidden.  Instead of exalting God’s name, the Priests were guilty of profaning it by polluting the Lord’s table (1:12).  To the Priests, serving in the Temple has become a burden they don’t want to bear.  The sacrifices they offer are a reflection of the condition of their hearts.

Unfaithful

As Father and Master, God charged the Priests with despising His name.  As Father and Creator, He charges the people with being unfaithful (2:10-16).  By putting aside their Jewish wives and marrying foreign women, the people have been unfaithful to their covenant.  God had specifically forbidden intermarrying with foreigners warning them of the dangers of mixing with them and being tempted to worship their gods.  Sadly, Malachi is now rebuking them for breaking their commitments.

Where is God?

Malachi further condemns the people for wearying God with their words.  They are guilty of attributing good to those who do evil.  Although they commit their sins in the presence of God, they doubt His presence asking,“Where is the God of justice” (2:17)?  Malachi warns that a messenger is coming to prepare the way of the Lord.  When the Lord draws near for judgment (3:5), who will be able to doubt His presence?

Robbing God

What is the worth of a God who is not present?  If God is not our Father, Master, and Creator why would we offer Him our best?  Such is the charge of Malachi.  The Prophet of God continues his rebuke by charging the people with turning aside from God’s statutes and failing to keep them (3:7).  In addition, he says they are also guilty of robbing God (3:8).  Like the Priests who were sacrificing “second-hand” animals, the people were not showing respect to God with the tithes and offerings He commanded and deserved.  Instead of giving back to God with gratitude for His blessings, they are stingy.  God challenges the people to give saying that His storehouses are full of blessings (3:10), but their greed is not the key to open them.  So the blessings are withheld.  Instead of recognizing their guilt, the people complain that it is vain to serve God (3:14).

Denial

With each charge brought against them, God’s people deny the charges or imply ignorance.  ‘How have we despised your name?’ (1:6), ‘How have we polluted you?’ (1:7),“How have we wearied him?” (2:17), “Where is the God of justice?” (2:17), ‘How shall we return?’ (3:7), Will man rob God?…‘How have we robbed you?’ (3:8), ‘How have we spoken against you?’ (3:14).  This list condemns not only God’s chosen people but all of mankind.  God showers men with His love, but too often we fail Him.  The most telling question His people asked was the first Malachi recorded:

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” – (1:2)

Healing Needed

Malachi, as he concludes the Old Testament writings, exposes a sad truth.  Throughout history, God has revealed His grace to His people.  He has chosen them.  He has multiplied them.  He has given them a land.  He has given them Prophets.  He has given them leaders.  He has given them His Word.  And He has accompanied them.  Sadly, over and over again the people have “failed” Him.  Malachi’s rebukes are not an exception, they are an exclamation; reformation doesn’t work.  Transformation is necessary.  We cannot save ourselves, we need a Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings.  Who would know that it would be more than four hundred years after Malachi penned his inspired Words that the Sun of righteousness would rise?

Sun of Righteousness

Malachi, like so many of the Prophets before him, paints a dark picture.  With each dip of his brush, he brings up black paint to cover the canvas.  While it is not pretty to look at, it is an exact representation of the heart of man.  Desperately wicked and totally depraved.  Like the Israelites, we deny the portrait the Bible paints of us.  “Use white paint”, we scream.  Men are inherently good not evil.  But as Malachi reminds us, history fleshes out the Truth.  Apart from God, we are helpless.  Apart from God, we are hopeless.  But after holding up the black portrait, Malachi gives us hope.  Look to the horizon, the Sun is going to rise, and He will bring light to darkness.  His righteousness will transform the canvas.  He has healing in His wings.

Healing

Who doesn’t need healing?  We are surrounded by so much pain and sorrow.  Cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, etc. are more than prevalent, they are epidemic.  We are all affected by them directly or indirectly.  In addition to these, we have mental health issues, addictions, and handicaps of various natures impacting our lives.  We hear of healing and we think of a cure or remedy for these calamities, but our hope is much greater.  As real and as troubling as these things are, they do not represent our greatest need.  Rather they are symptoms of the one disease that plagues every man.  Sin.  When Malachi writes that the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in His wings, he is obviously talking about spiritual healing.  A healing to remedy the symptoms he has diagnosed previously.

In His Wings

We measure time based on the birth of Christ.  His birth divides history in half (B.C. & A.D.)  The followers of Christ have completely transformed the world acting as salt and light and sharing His love.  The wings of Christ have not only changed the course of history, they expand over all of eternity.  Nothing escapes their shadow.  Nothing escapes their reach.  For those who “fear His name”, they represent healing.

When Jesus walked the earth, He raised the dead, healed the lame and gave sight to the blind.  One day as He was passing through the crowd he felt His power go out from Him.  Questioning the crowd, a lady came trembling at His feet.  She had an infirmity for twelve years and had spent all of her money on doctors.  To no avail.  Now she was not only suffering from her infirmity, but she was financially broke.  Like all of us, she was completely desperate.  She desired to be healed but her money and her fellow man were unable to bring her a cure.  She was without help or hope; until she touched the fringe of Jesus’ robe.

I Have Loved You

When she touched his robe, the suffering lady was immediately healed.  Not only of her physical infirmity, but more importantly of her spiritual.  Jesus commends her for her faith and tells her to go in peace.  She has been made whole.  So it is with His children.  When we put our faith in the Sun of righteousness, He heals us with His righteousness.  The black canvas is covered by his crimson blood and is now made as white as snow.  Christ has come with healing in His wings.  A healing that saves us from sin and its consequences.  When Jesus carries us over the river of death there will be no more symptoms of sin.  Cancer, dementia, and diabetes will have to stay on the other shore along with all of the addictions and diseases.  There will be no sin in heaven.  There will be no denial either.  The reach of sin cannot compare with the reach of Christ’s healing wings.  The wings that will wipe away our tears once and for all.

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. 

May we never question how!

Holiday Update

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Thought I should take a moment to let you know why there has been a little break in writings.  For roughly the last month I have been “cleaning” up the posts.  I have been giving them a facelift trying to make them more “readable”.  Scripture quotes and references are now in red.  Headings have been added to make for easier reading and adding some clarity.  Many posts now have pictures added.  With 160 posts this has been time consuming but I feel much better about the site.  This has certainly been a learning process in more than one way.  Hopefully, I will get the hang of it.

As I continue cleaning up the old posts I want to encourage you to go back and look at them.  Please let me know what you think.  Your feedback will be helpful in giving me direction going forward.  If you are not being encouraged, convicted or challenged perhaps I am wasting my time.  My desire is for God to be glorified as His saints grow in Christlikeness and sinners are exposed to the Truth.  Which brings me to another topic.

One of the headings I now have is FAQ’s.  Others have looked for answers online for Biblical questions that are often asked and for which there are not many “satisfactory” answers.  In fact, for one of the questions I addressed, Does God Punish Us For The Sins Of Others, the top response on Google is written by a skeptic.  As I have stated before I am not and do not want to be a “Bible Answer Man”, but it bothers me that the top answer people will find when searching for Truth is written by an atheist.  From time to time I will be writing posts that address such questions.  If they do not interest you please be patient with me.  Speaking of which…

If there is something you would like to discuss please feel free to let me know.  As I have stated, I welcome your responses.  They are not only feedback for me, but they may encourage or challenge others as well.  In other words, don’t be afraid of taking “ownership” in this site.  Having responses to responses is not uncommon.  Just keep them respectful!!  This is not politics.

If you have a favorite post let me know.  I am thinking about a top ten list for people who may find this site doing an organic search.  Such a listing may be helpful to them.

Hope you have a great 4th of July.  Thanks to all of our vets who have sacrificed for our freedom.  Your service is appreciated.  This nation owes you so much.  And speaking of sacrifice and freedom…

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-325 

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

Casting Our Burdens

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22 Cast your burden on the Lord,
    and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
    the righteous to be moved. – Psalm 55:22

Burdens

Burdens.  Who doesn’t have them?  Who likes to carry them?  It seems like the older we get the more we accumulate.  The more we accumulate the older they make us feel.  They fatigue our backs and weary our souls.  They remind us of our limitations.  They magnify our weaknesses.  They remind us of our dependency, which is why God gives them to us.

Have you ever thought of your burdens as a test from God?  Not to test our strength or our resolve but our faith.  God already knows our weaknesses and limitations.  God doesn’t give us burdens to see if we can carry them, rather He wants to know if we can let go of them.

Are we willing to surrender our burdens to God?

Cast

The word translated cast can either mean to throw violently or cast softly.  In this context, it is the latter.  However, whether we are throwing a stone or casting seeds, one thing is consistent.  Releasing.  Letting go.  It is easier said than done.

Why do we cling to our burdens?  Why are they so hard to let go of?  Perhaps it is pride.  No one can handle my burden as I can.  Perhaps it is lack of faith.  We say we are going to hand them over to God but we do so with a tether.  If God can’t quickly take care of them we’re pulling them back.  Maybe it is immaturity.  Infected with a martyr complex we’ve become addicted to complaining and dependent upon sympathy.  But we need relief, not sympathy.

Regardless of our motivation for holding on, the solution is the same.  We need to cast not clutch.  We need to recognize that although we are limited, God is not.  That is why He tells us to cast our burdens on Him.

Sustainment

It is often said that God will not give us more than we can handle, but that is not true.  In fact, He will always give us more than we can handle.  Alone.  God has made us dependent upon Him.  When we cast our burdens upon Him it is He that will sustain us.

The word translated sustain (kuwl) literally means “to measure” or “calculate“.  The picture is one of a vessel being “sized up”.  What can it hold or contain?  God knows our needs.  He knows our “duties and trials”.  God is going to give the measure of strength and grace sufficient for the task.  We can rest assured that the Potter knows, and is sufficient to meet, the needs of his earthen vessels.

Reinforcement

Although the literal meaning of sustain (kuwl) is “to measure“, it suggests much more.  While it is true that God knows our limitations, it is also true that He shares His unlimited nature with us.  As part of His sustenance, God acts as a “nurse” towards us.  This goes beyond the comfort a contemporary nurse may bring a patient.  This is more like the tenderness and solace a mother shows to her infant child.  We can take our burdens to God knowing that His love is most intimate.

In addition to the tenderness associated with our sustainment, nourishment is also implied.  God not only comforts us but He feeds us spiritual manna from Heaven.  God will strengthen us with the Bread of Life.  When we are faint and weak God will empower us and give us new vitality.

But God doesn’t stop with comforting and nourishing us.  Not by a long shot.  When we need Him most He lifts us up and carries us.  He gets on His knees and looks us in the face.  Our emotions betray us.  We cannot hide the stress.  He sees the strain in our veins.  He sees the desire to quit in our eyes.  He does more than sympathize with our tears.  He gives us relief.  He supports us.  Is there a greater picture of condescension than the Creator of the universe bearing our burdens?  Such is what Christ did when He carried our cross.

Unmoveable

Life’s burdens may seem overwhelming at times.  We may become discouraged and question how we can carry on.  But God has promised to sustain us.  He has also promised He will never permit us to be moved.  Whatever trials may come our way, we will ultimately be safe.  Burdens may bend our backs and test the limits of our hearts but they will not touch our souls.

Storms may rage and the tempest may cause our branches to dance, but our roots remain unmoved, anchored to the promises of God.  He will sustain you and He will never permit you to be moved.  When we cast our burdens on God our roots will grow deeper.

Do you trust His promises or are you blinded by your burdens?

Casting Gifts

What are our burdens?  In the Hebrew, the word translated burden literally means “gift, that which is given, that which is allotted.”  It is important to recognize that the burdens that come our way are not by chance.  They are not determined by fate.  Instead, they are measured out by God and providently and lovingly laid upon us.  You are not a victim.  Don’t be blinded by your burdens.   Don’t carry them anxiously, hand them over to God in humility.

Let go of your burdens.  Take them to your Father in prayer.  Be specific.  Pour out your heart.  The load is too much for you to bear.  By design.

After you have poured out your prayers, rest on God’s promises.  God cannot fail.  Don’t worry about the swaying branches, the roots are secure.  No storm will move the cross.  Your soul is eternally secured.  The Holy Spirit is your guarantee and Christ is your anchor.

Be patient.  No farmer retrieves his seeds after he has cast them into the wind.  In faith, he gives the soil and the elements time to produce a harvest.  God’s timing may not be ours, but it is perfect.  Cast your burdens and leave them with God.

Seek the face of God.  When our burdens seem overwhelming His image keeps things in perspective.  If you don’t know where to begin looking, run to the cross.  Jesus is not only the exact representation of our loving Father, He has already born our greatest burden.  After He carried it for us He was nailed to it.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 1 Corinthians 12:9-10

A House Divided

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16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents…20 And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only. – 1 Kings 12:16 & 20

A House for God

King David was known as “a man after God’s own heart.”  Although he had his weaknesses, David passionately pursued God.  This was a welcome trait that stood in stark contrast to King Saul’s propensity towards disobedience; God’s reason for replacing him with David.

One of the desires of David’s heart was to build a house for God.  Although God used David to unify the nation of Israel and defeat their enemies, the privilege of building a house for God would belong to David’s son Solomon.  Could he handle the responsibility that would come with his privilege?

Early in his reign, God visited Solomon in a dream and tested him by offering to fulfill whatever he might request in prayer.  God was pleased when Solomon asked for wisdom to rule His people rather than long life, riches, or the life of his enemies.  As a reward for his humility, God promised Solomon not only the wisdom that he asked for, but also the riches and honor he did not request.

And if Solomon would faithfully walk in the ways of the Lord, God promised He would lengthen Solomon’s days.

Solomon’s ultimate test; would wisdom and prosperity result in obedience?

Filled with Glory

When time came to build the house of God, no expenses were spared.  As elaborate and impressive as the Temple must have been, perhaps nothing was as emotional for the Israelites as when the ark of the Covenant was brought into the house of God.  When the ark, containing the two tablets of the ten commandments,  was placed in the inner sanctuary under the shadow of the wings of the cherubim, a cloud filled the house of the Lord.  But it wasn’t merely a cloud, it was the presence of the glory of the Lord.  Although no house can contain God, His glory was more than enough to fill His new house.

Although the priests were unable to minister in the Temple because of the presence of the cloud, Solomon was able to deliver a beautifully inspired prayer.  In his prayer Solomon blessed God, dedicated the Temple, and challenged the people.  What a great day to be an Israelite!

61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:60b-61

Like Solomon, the nation of Israel would be tested.  Would the House of God and even the presence of the glory of God be enough to inspire long term obedience?

A Heart Divided

Solomon’s forty year reign was characterized by peace and prosperity.  He had the respect of kings and queens alike.  His wisdom and wealth were unmatched.  But despite all of his accomplishments and acclaims, Solomon did not “end well”.  When he was old he acted contrary to his own prayer.  His heart was not wholly true.  Solomon’s many wives turned his heart away from God to worship idols.

4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father… – 1 Kings 11:4

Needless to say, there would be consequences for Solomon’s idolatry.  Twice the Lord had visited him and “commanded” him to stay away from the dangers of idolatry.  He was not to go after other gods.  Yet Solomon broke the Lord’s commands; he wandered from the path of obedience.

Now God warned Solomon that the kingdom would be torn from his son and given to his servant.  Because of disobedience, a mighty kingdom would be torn in two.

A House Divided

Upon the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam was made king.  Immediately he was confronted by his servant Jeroboam with a request to make their heavy workload more bearable.  Lacking the wisdom of his father Solomon, Rehoboam sought counsel.

First Rehoboam turned to the old men who advised him to lead “as a servant” and speak kindly to his subjects.  Then he took counsel with his peers who advised him to threaten his servants and use intimidation.  Rehoboam chose the counsel of his peers.  Which brings us to today’s text from First Kings Chapter 12.

Angry with the response of Rehoboam, the Northern tribes chose not to recognize Rehoboam as their king, and instead made Jeroboam king over them.  The nation of Israel was feeling the long reach of the arm of disobedience.    They were far removed from the presence of the glory of the Lord.  What a sad day to be an Israelite.

Behold your gods

Wanting to maintain his fragile hold on his people, Jeroboam knew he would have to compete with the House of God located in Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom.  How long could he retain the loyalty of his people if they were making regular pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple?  His solution was to introduce the Northern Kingdom to new gods.

Taking a page out of Aaron’s playbook, Jeroboam made not one but two golden calves.  How the heart of God must have grieved when he uttered these blasphemous words, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28b).

For the “convenience of his subjects”, Jeroboam put one golden calf in Bethel and one in Dan.  Now his people could “worship” without going into the jurisdiction of the Southern Kingdom.  To make the worship experience more complete, Jeroboam made temples, appointed priests and instituted feasts.  On his false altars Jeroboam sacrificed true worship for political power.

Disobedience is a slippery slope.  The first step can result in a free fall.  Solomon’s idolatry was coming to roost.

Desolation

The nation of Israel would be divided for two hundred years.  During this time the divided Kingdoms were often at war.  The Northern Kingdom would have twenty two kings, all of which were evil.  For two centuries, the people of Israel were yoked to Jeroboam’s golden calves.  Idols that made their burdens heavier not lighter.

In time, both of the kingdoms would be carried into captivity.  Israel, the Northern Kingdom would be captured by the Assyrians, and Judah, the Southern Kingdom would be captured by the Babylonians.  Although delivered in a different context, the Words of Jesus sound like a description of Israel.

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand…” – Matthew 12:25b

Behold Your God

We can look at the history of Israel and speculate.  What if Solomon had faithfully walked in the ways of the Lord as God challenged him?  What if the house was not divided because of Solomon’s disobedience?  Sobering thoughts considering the destruction of the Temple and the suffering and trials endured by God’s chosen people.

We can reflect on President Lincoln’s speech when he quoted the Words of Jesus about a house divided.  With a heart intent on preserving the Union, Lincoln knew the importance of maintaining unity.  As we consider his words we can hear the distant sound of the artillery in the deep seeded divides of our country yet today.  How long can we exist as a nation with all of the discourse and divisions that seem to be widening every day?

But at the end of the day, a house divided isn’t about Israel’s past, or our nations future. It is about the condition of our hearts, just as Solomon prayed at the dedication of the House of God.  Each of us must look in the mirror and ask:  Are our hearts wholly true to the Lord our God?  Are we walking in His statutes and keeping His commandments?  If not, we need a clearer vision of God.  Our God who desires that we faithfully walk in all of his ways.  All of our days.

Solomon was right when he said, “…the Lord is God; there is no other.

If only he would have stayed true to Him.

9 Go on up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
    lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!” – Isaiah 40:9

10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments! – Psalm 119:10

Grabbing Ankles & Grappling With God

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3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
    and in his manhood he strove with God. – Hosea 12:3

Empty Hands

Over and over we see the Prophets pleading with the Jewish people.  Hosea is no exception.  As a matter of fact, Hosea’s relationship with an unfaithful wife mirrored God’s relationship with unfaithful Israel.  Involved in such a relationship, Hosea must have intimately felt the pain of God’s heart as he penned His Words.  Words that begged for repentance and return.

As Hosea begins chapter twelve, he gives us a glimpse of the vanity of the Jewish people.  According to verse one, they were guilty of feeding on the wind and chasing the east wind and at the same time making treaties with Egypt and Assyria.  In other words, with one hand they were worshiping idols, and with the other hand they were shunning God and placing their trust for protection on mortal men.

Instead of holding onto God, both hands were empty.  How do you bless others with empty hands?

Deceiving Hands

Rather than having empty hands, the Israelites could learn a lesson from their namesake Israel, or as Hosea refers to him in this passage, Jacob.  Abraham may be the father of the Jewish nation, but it was Jacob who “built” the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 46:8-27).  Although Jacob had many faults, his offspring could still learn from his life, whether in the womb or in the mud.

Hosea reminds the Jewish people that while still in the womb Jacob took his brother by the heel.  Genesis chapter twenty-five tells us that while yet in the womb, Jacob and his twin brother jostled each other.  Obviously, Jacob could not have known or understood what he was doing in utero, but his action was indicative of his nature and God’s plans.  As he was born, Jacob was grasping his twin brother Esau’s heal, hence he was given the name Jacob which means “he grasps the heal”.  Not exactly flattering as this is simply another way of saying someone is a deceiver, trickster or cheater.  A title that fit Jacob well.

A Life of Deceipt

Jacob was good at using his cunning to get what he wanted.  As Genesis tells us, Jacob “purchased” his elder brother’s birthright for a bowl of red stew (Genesis 25:27-34).  Certainly, the bargain was foolish of Esau, but I’m not sure how ethical it was of Jacob to bargain with his brother who claimed to be starving.  But Jacob and Esau were never a model of brotherly love.

Later, Jacob would deceive his father Isaac to steal Esau’s blessing (Genesis 27).  Again, food was involved.  With the assistance of his mother Rebekah, Jacob prepared a favorite meal for his aging father (substituting young goats for wild game).  With goatskins on his hands and his brother’s clothes on his back, Jacob deceived his visually impaired father.  When questioned by his father, Jacob actually lied to him in order to get Isaac to give him the blessing intended for his firstborn Esau.

When Esau learned of his “stolen” blessing he lamented,“Is he not rightly named Jacob?  For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing” (Genesis 27:36a).  Being twice victimized by the heal grabber, Esau vowed to kill Jacob once their father was deceased.  Fearing for the life of her favorite son, Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Laban.

The Bargain at Bethel

After leaving Beersheba to make his journey to Haran, Jacob stopped to rest at sunset.  As he laid on the ground with a stone for his pillow, he had a “vision” from God.  In his dream, he saw a ladder connecting heaven and earth.  The angels of God were ascending and descending this ladder.  Standing over the ladder was the LORD, who then spoke to Jacob.

As Jacob dreamed, the LORD renewed the covenant he had made with Abraham and Isaac.  The land on which Jacob was resting would belong to Jacob and his descendants.  Further, Jacob was assured that his offspring would be as numerous as the dust of the earth.  And not only would his offspring be great in number, they would also spread to the west and east and north and south.  But not only would Jacob’s offspring be blessed, God also promised that in Jacob and his offspring all the families of the earth would be blessed (remember the empty hands?).  But God wasn’t done.

After making the promises to Jacob, God assured him that His presence would not leave Jacob.  He would accompany him and protect him and bring him safely back to this place (Bethel).  God would be Jacob’s ever-present guide until all of His promises were fulfilled.  But Jacob isn’t like God.  The heal grabber’s commitment came with contingencies; IF.  IF God will protect me.  IF God will feed me.  IF God will clothe me.  IF God will bring me back to my father’s house in peace.  THEN the LORD shall be my God.  THEN I will turn this stone I am using as a pillow into His house and give back a tenth of everything He has given to me.  Do I smell red stew and young goats?  Regardless, God recognized it as a vow (Genesis 31:13).

Deceiving a Deceiver

After his “bargain” with God, Jacob continued his journey east.  Finally, he came to the home of his uncle Laban, a man after his own deceitful heart.  Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel.  Jacob loved Rachel and agreed to work seven years for Laban for the right to marry her.  When the time finally arrived for the marriage to be consummated, Laban deceived Jacob by exchanging Leah for Rachel.  No one likes being deceived, especially a deceiver.

Jacob would have to serve Laban another seven years for Rachel.  As he worked for his uncle, their relationship was often strenuous.  Numerous times Laban changed Jacob’s wages.  According to Jacob’s complaint recorded in Genesis chapter 31, Laban cheated him and changed his wages ten times.  But who’s counting?  Esau charged Jacob with cheating him twice, Jacob charges Laban with cheating him ten times.  When you play in the realm of deceit, what goes around definitely comes around.

Tired of being deceived by Laban, Jacob decided to play the last trick by stealing away with his family and possessions and heading back to Canaan and his family.

Grappling With God

Jacob had enough of haggling with his Uncle Laban.  He was wary of his deceit and couldn’t wait to get away.  But the prospect of returning home wasn’t so pleasant either.  He didn’t exactly leave his family on the best of terms as he was fleeing for his life.  So now he was fleeing from Laban who had deceived him numerous times only to face his brother Esau whom he had deceived.  Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Always the schemer, Jacob made a plan in hopes of appeasing Esau.  He hoped to soften him, with bribery, before he actually met him face to face.  Where was his faith in God?  Didn’t God promise He would be with him and protect him?  He left his home alone and now he is returning with a family and great possessions.  Hadn’t God upheld His end of the “bargain”?

It was time once again to be alone with God.

At the ford of Jabbok, Jacob was finally broken in the mud.  All night long this deceiver wrestled with his covenant keeping God.  All night long this self-reliant man exhausted his strength against the omnipotent.  All night long this blessing “stealer” begged for a blessing.  “Unable” to prevail against his strength, God put Jacob’s hip out of joint.  Still unwilling to let go without a blessing, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means “strives with God” or “God strives”.  The heal grabber was now a God “striver”.  God strengthened Jacob by weakening him.

Jacob’s God

It is time to heed Hosea’s words.  It is time to stop the vanity.  It is time to repent and return.  No more feeding on the wind.  No more futile treaties.  The world’s idols and the world’s Egypts are nothing but air.  Worse, they are an affront to God.  Why do we try so desperately to hold onto them?

Before Jacob was even born, God had great plans for him.  From the womb to the grave, God accompanied Jacob.  He made a covenant with him and He kept His word.  Jacob was blessed with the land and the offspring God promised him.  To this day, all the families of the world are blessed through Jacob and his offspring.

The lessons of Jacob ultimately point to his God.  His God who chose him.  His God who decided to make him a great nation.  His God who gave him natural strength.   His God who accompanied him and protected him until all of His promises to him were fulfilled.  His God who was patient with him and his deceitful ways.  His God who wrestled with him in his hour of need and made him even stronger by weakening him.  His God who blessed him and changed him from a “deceiver of men” to a “wrestler of God”.  Jacob entered the mud of Jabbok a proud man.  Israel left the mud of Jabbok with a limp.  A limp that would forever remind him that man is strongest when holding onto God.  With both hands.

Jacob’s God is your God.  He has loved you from eternity past.  He has blessed you and wants to bless others through you.  But how can we bless others with empty hands?  It is time to let go of the world and take hold of God.  With the tenacity of Jacob, resolve not to let go until God has “blessed” you; again and again.  But beware.  Wrestling with God can be exhausting.  It can be painful.  But best of all, Israel’s limp reminds us that it will always be life changing.

It is time to get on bended knees and take hold of God.  And never let go.  You know He never will.

8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God… – Joshua 23:8

Right Eyes and (Dis)grace

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11 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.”  – 1 Samuel 11:1-2

Decision Time

Life is full of decisions; some more difficult than others.  Those with no discernible consequences we give little thought to.  Those with long-lasting or severe consequences we give not only much thought but hopefully much prayer to.  If we are wise we will seek out the counsel of other godly people before we make these “life-changing” decisions.  In today’s text, we see the Israelites confronted with a difficult decision.  Perhaps better classified as an ultimatum.

The Israelites often found themselves in difficult circumstances as a result of their sins.  Instead of peace, they often found themselves at war.  Now we find them harassed by their enemy the Ammonites.  Led by Nahash, their King, the Ammonites have surrounded the Israelite city Jabesh-gilead.  With limited military options and little apparent hope for success, instead of turning to God, the Israelites ask for a treaty.

No Idle Threat

According to the Dead Sea Scrolls, about one month prior to the siege of Jabesh-gilead, Nahash had conquered the tribal lands of Gad and Reuben. He was not only striking fear and dread in the hearts of the people, he was also gouging out their right eyes.  Per this account, roughly seven thousand Israelites escaped and fled to Jabesh-gilead; only to encounter Nahash and the Ammonites once again.  How they must have trembled when they heard the response of Nahash to their request for a treaty.  I will make a treaty if you concede to having your right eye gouged out.  All of you!

By gouging out the right eyes of his enemies, Nahash was disabling them.  Since most soldiers were right handed, they would hold their shields in their left hands covering much of their body including their left eye.  As they fought, they would peer over their shields with their right eye as they wielded their swords.  Hence, an enemy without a right eye was a lot less of a threat.

Disgraceful

But Nahash not only wanted to disable the Israelites, he also wanted to disgrace them as we see from his own words.  Nahash wanted to humble the Isralaelites and bring reproach on them.  He wanted to make them look weak and tarnish their reputation.  In doing so, no doubt, he would also tarnish the reputation of their God.  The Great I Am whom they seem to be forgetting.

But what kind of person would make such an ultimatum?  How evil and cruel would you have to be?

In this case a terrible enemy.  One who wanted to exalt himself by humbling others.  Specifically, Nahash, whose name means serpent.

Who would ever entertain the thought of allowing someone to gouge out your right eye?  How desperate would you have to be?

If your options are your life or your right eye, I’m guessing most of us would surrender our eye.  But are we always wise enough to understand the relative value of our right eye?

Decision Time II

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. – Matthew 5:29

Life’s is indeed full of difficult decisions.  Many with eternal consequences.  While Nahash put before the people an ultimatum, Jesus puts before His hearers a warning.  Both require a decision from their audience, but their motives could not have been more different.

Graceful

Nahash brought his army to Jabesh as an enemy looking to destroy the Israelites thus making a name for himself.  Jesus in humility left His Heavenly throne to come to earth and free men from their spiritual bondage.  He humbled himself to “exalt” others.

The evil Nahash threatened the Israelites with cruelty.  Cruelty that he had already manifested and was intent on repeating.  The perfectly holy Jesus warned His audience in sacrificial love.  A love He was about to display on the cross.  While Nahash was breathing out threats, Jesus was extending grace.

Priorities & Sacrifice

Whereas Nahash means serpent or snake, Jesus means the Lord will save, or savior.  The one common denominator is that both the serpent and the Savior put before their audiences a decision regarding their right eyes.  Specifically, do you value your right eye more than life?  Sometimes the loss of an eye represents disgrace and sometimes disgrace comes from preserving it.

While Nahash holds physical and temporal life in the balance, Christ is obviously referring to the spiritual and eternal.  Which do we value more?  What are we willing to sacrifice to purge the sin from our hearts?

Instead of giving Nahash an answer, the Israelites asked for more time.­  Time during which Saul, their first King came to their rescue and defeated Nahash, thus removing the ultimatum and the need to make a difficult decision.  Because of his arrogance, Nahash was defeated and Saul was exalted.  Nahash’s ultimatum was no more.  But Jesus’ warning is as real today as when He first delivered it.

Like the threat of Nahash, the words of Jesus are shocking.  Using hyperbole Jesus draws attention to the seriousness of sin and it’s consequences.  We know that sin originates in our hearts and maiming ourselves won’t necessarily purge the sin from our lives.  But if our right eye or right hand caused us to stumble would we be willing to sacrifice either to avoid hell?  What value would either have in hell’s fires?

How serious do we take sin and our battle against it?  Are we willing to deny our flesh to avoid giving into temptation and sinning against God?  God wants us to live lives of holiness.  Lives above reproach.  Lives that bring glory to God rather than “tarnish” His reputation as Satan desires.

Are you willing to “sacrifice” one part of your body to overcome sin?

Jesus took sin so seriously He sacrificed His body.  All of it.

All of it for us!  All of it for the glory of the Father!

In Christ the ultimate victory over sin is already won.  But until we are in our Heavenly Homes we must daily fight the sin that besieges our hearts like Nahash and the Ammonites besieged Jabesh-gilead.  It may require difficult decisions with long-lasting consequences, but we have a Savior we can always turn to.

Resolve

When the fate of the free world hung in the balance, Winston Churchill rallied England for battle.  I think the gravity of his speech reflects the fervor we should have in our spiritual battle.

“We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind.  We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.  You ask what is our policy?  I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime.  That is our policy.  You ask, What is our aim?  I answer in one word: Victory-victory at all costs, victory in spite of terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” -Winston Churchill

No sacrifice is too great in our battle against sin.  No one knows that better than Jesus.  Heed His warning.  Accept His grace.

Holding Hands

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13 For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:13

Present Hand-Holding

It has been just over a year since my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Since her diagnosis, we have been reminded of our dependence upon others.  As humbling as it may be, sometimes we just need a little support.  Sometimes we just need someone to hold our hand.

Last night my parents joined us for dinner.  In order to get up our steps my mother now needs a little assistance.  With one hand on the railing, we supported her other arm.  Once safely in the house, she took my hand in hers and I guided her into the kitchen.  Not being much of a “hand holder”, it was a bittersweet moment.  I was glad I could help her, but sad that I had to.

As I lay awake in bed during the middle of the night I reflected on the evening with my parents.  Specifically, holding my mother’s hand.  When I was growing up, I was not accustomed to seeing affection displayed.  I’m not sure why, perhaps it was German pride, but holding hands, hugs, and even “I love yous” were not part of my families upbringing.  Sad to say, showing affection is not a strength of mine.  I guess you might say it is not a part of our family “trait”.

Past Hand-Holding

As I was reflecting, when I should have been sleeping, I remembered an incident from my early childhood.  My father and I had just left our family business and were going to cross Main Street.  I looked up and saw the traffic light change, and fearful of the oncoming traffic, I instinctively reached up to take a hold of my father’s hand.  What I did not realize was that he had a partially smoked cigar in the hand I reached for.  Instead of finding the protection I sought; I clutched danger.  Rather than the comfort of placing my timid hand in his strong hand, I instead experienced the pain of being burned.  Although I made it safely to the other side of the street, I did so with tears in my eyes.  Needless to say, it was not a positive hand-holding experience.  Nor was it the only experience I reflected on.

As I was entering High School, my family moved across town.  The move put us a few blocks away from two of my father’s aunts.  Aged, and with failing eyesight one of them asked if I would take care of her lawn.  Of course I would.

I remember going through the yard with my great-aunt.  Holding her frail little hand we walked through the yard as she explained what she wanted to be done.  In actuality, I think she just wanted someone to talk to.  With humility, she gave me a brief lesson in cataracts (her excuse for holding my hand), and with great pride, she gave me a long lesson in our family history.  She was so proud of the entrepreneurial heritage of our family and the contributions our family had made to our hometown.  She also shared how much she missed her long deceased husband.  My time with my great-aunt was more than just a “business” meeting.  Hand in hand we strolled down memory lane as we traversed across her yard.  How do you tell a ninety-something relative you don’t like to hold hands?  Sometimes you just need to make exceptions!!  But don’t tell my wife, for whom I seldom make exceptions.

The Circle of Life

My wife and I were High School sweethearts.  When we were dating she would ask to hold my hand from time to time and most of the time I would decline.  Not because I didn’t love her or because I found it awkward, but because I found it uncomfortable.  When I was young I suffered from extremely dry hands, which often cracked and bled.  I remember being taken to the doctor as a very young boy to get prescription strength lotion for my hands.  And then, for whatever reason, my hands did a complete turnaround.  Instead of being dried out they became perpetually sweaty.  I share this only to say, for as long as I can remember, I have been conscientious of my hands and therefore reluctant to hold hands.  Even with those I love the most.

Now, I find that holding my grandchildren’s hands is one of my greatest joys.  Just last week I walked out back on our property with my 18-month-old grandson.  It is a privilege I don’t take lightly.  Nearly 40 years ago I was walking through my great aunt’s yard, hand in hand with a relative two generations above me.  Now I have the joy of walking through my property hand in hand with my grandchildren, two generations below me.  I think I understand why my great aunt didn’t want to let go.  When they are reluctant, I’ll have to try that “cataracts line” on my grandchildren.  Perhaps my great-aunt’s vision wasn’t so poor after all.

I am amazed at what memories and emotions were released from simply holding my mother’s hand.  I am ashamed that it is an experience I haven’t had more often.  With her or any of my loved ones.  We never know how often we will have the chances.  Which is probably why I lay awake so long last night.

Holding God’s Hand

As I have stated so many times, God has created us as relational beings.  We need to be hugged.  We need to be told, “I love you”.  And as we see in today’s verse from Isaiah, we need the comfort and support of someone taking our hand in theirs.  Especially God.

God says He will hold our right hand.  When I read this verse I ask why the right hand?  My first thought was because for most of us our right hand is our dominant hand.  It is our hand of strength.  If we are going to resist it is most likely going to be with our right hand.  Therefore, to allow God to take hold of our right hand is to submit to Him.  Which is what we need and He wants.  As I said at the beginning sometimes we need a little support.

In the context of Isaiah chapter 41, God is assuring His children of His presence.  If you look back at verse 10 you see God’s promise to strengthen and uphold His children.  The illustration is literally one of a parent with a child.  The reason God holds our right hand with His left is that He is holding a weapon in His right hand.  He is our protector.  More than that, as He holds our right hand in His left, and wields a weapon in His right hand, He is defying anyone to separate His child from His hand!!

What an incredible picture.  We are little children who need help.  We need our fears alleviated.  Our Heavenly Father in perfect love and infinite strength extends His left hand to us.  He knows our needs.  He is not afraid of showing affection.  I am thankful that saying “I love you” and holding hands is a part of His family trait.

I don’t know what trials today may bring you.  I don’t know what battles you are fighting.  But I do know one thing, as a child of God you are not walking alone.  God is our helper.  Hand in hand we are traversing this earth with Him until He guides us safely home.  There we will gather around His throne and worship Him with all of the generations He has guided by the right hand.

As we gather around the throne with the saints, my guess is we’ll be holding hands.

So you better practice.  Today!!

Rend the Heavens

Posted on by scott

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

Behold Your God

As the last snow of the season (I hope) has given way to springs first flowers, life “returns” to Mid-Michigan.  Brown lawns once again turn green.  Winter’s frozen air is thawed by the songs of robins.  The stingy oaks are finally dropping last years leaves to make room for this years.  As we say hello to Spring and all of it’s promises, we end another year of many church ministries until Fall rolls around once again.

This past year I have been blessed to be a part of a Small Group ministry using a study guide entitled, Behold Your God by Pastor John Snyder.  The study challenges us to “rethink God biblically” using a famous quote by A.W. Tozer as a springboard. The quote being, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Obviously, what God thinks about us is more important than what we think about Him, but that is not the point here.  Like Tozer before him, Pastor Snyder wants to challenge us to remove the idols from our minds.  Those false impressions of the God of the Bible that we entertain because of ignorance or pride.

Behold Your God is a no-frills/no-nonsense Bible study.  If you want to be entertained or are looking for a self-help guide this study is not for you.  But if you want to put in a lot of work and be constantly challenged and convicted, look no further.  Each week, you are reminded of the chasm between yourself and a perfect God.  As Pastor Snyder likes to remind us, if we don’t understand the ugliness of sin and self, we’ll never truly understand the beauty of salvation.

Week after week you feel like you’re having a Job-like encounter with God, “I thought I knew you, but now that you have revealed yourself to me I see how wrong I was”.  As paradoxical as it may sound, our clearest visions of God are preceded by times of humility when we can only fall on our faces before Him.  Such humility is the soil for revival to take seed in.

Revival

As Christians, we often talk of two great hopes, revival and the return of Christ.  Throughout Church history, many great Christians such as Tozer, Loyd-Jones, Spurgeon, and others have longed for and prayed for revival.  Their love for Christ and their passion for His glory resulted in hours of fervent prayer before the God they worshiped and adored.  With a healthy “discontentment” they were not spiritually satisfied.  They tasted that the Lord was good (Psalm 34:8) and always wanted “more” of Him.

As he concludes his study, Pastor Snyder addresses revival.  Defining it as a special nearness of God.  Not a positional nearness but a relational one.  A special sense of the presence of God that diminishes everyone and everything else, putting them in their proper perspective.  A nearness that makes us question, how did I ever live without this?

Where are you at?  What God do you worship?  Is it truly the God of the Bible?  How is your relationship with Him?  Does it seem distant?  Do you recognize the ugliness of depravity and the love of God that saved you from its consequences?

How is your prayer life?  Are you praying for revival?  If so, are you praying for God to do a work in the hearts of others or your own?  Have you ever prayed along with Isaiah, that God might rend the heavens and come down?

Rend the Heavens

Isaiah’s prayer is one of passion and desperation.  A believing remnant finds themselves in exile as a consequence of their sins of idolatry and wickedness.  Now they are crying out to the God they have rejected to intervene on their behalf.

After reciting the mercy of the Lord, the prayer shifts to asking God to look down from heaven (Isaiah 63:15). But a mere look from Heaven will not suffice.  God’s presence is desired, hence the request, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down.”

Remember Isaiah’s vision of God recorded in chapter 6?  King Uzziah had died.  There was grief and there was uncertainty.  According to Second Chronicles, King Uzziah reigned for fifty-two years doing what was right in the sight of the Lord (although he did not end so well).  Uzziah was a powerful king who was now gone.  But God was still on His throne which is where Isaiah saw Him; “high and lifted up”.

When Isaiah saw the thrice Holy God, he was overwhelmed by his own uncleanness and that of his people.  So much so that he thought he was ruined.  How could he stand in the presence of such a Holy God?

Now this man who previously trembled in the presence of God is boldly praying for God to rend the heavens and come down.  As frightful as His presence may be, it is not as frightful as His “absence”.

I realize that as a child of God, we are always in His presence and indwelt with His Spirit, but do we live in relational “nearness” to Him?  Is intimate fellowship with the God of the Bible our greatest desire?

I believe the imagery of this prayer in Isaiah relates to us today.  We are exiles surrounded by unclean people too often content with our lukewarm spiritual condition.  We need revival.  We need to experience a new level of “nearness”.

We need to cry out to God to rend the clouds of sin that hinder our intimacy with Him just as He tore the barrier of the Temple curtain.  We need God to intervene in our lives as we work out our sanctification, purging our hearts and minds of the uncleanness Isiah was convicted of.  We won’t pray this prayer if we don’t have a clear vision of ourselves and a clearer vision of our Savior.

God, “rend the heavens” and give us such a vision.  Give us the hearts to desire such a prayer and the perseverance to pray it until it is granted or you take us home.

Thaw the winter of our hearts with Your nearness so we can live in perpetual Spring.

4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.