Category: Faith

When The Glory Departs

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18 Then the glory of the Lord went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. 19 And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth before my eyes as they went out, with the wheels beside them. And they stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the Lord, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. – Ezekiel 10:18-19

Good-Bye

It was time to say good-bye.  God did not want to overstay His welcome.  Israel had what would appear to be an easy choice before them.  They could choose between the presence of God or the judgment of God.  They chose the latter.  God had warned them of the consequences of idolatry.  They did not take Him seriously.  Despite the warnings of the Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the people assumed they were immune from devastation because of God’s presence among them (Jeremiah 7:4).  Little did they imagine God would remove His presence.  But that is what Ezekiel records in this passage.  In his vision, God tells a man in fine linen to fill his hands with burning coals from between the cherubim and scatter them over the city.  The burning coals that the Seraphim used to purge Isaiah’s unclean lips would now be used to judge Jerusalem.  It is scary when God leaves us to wallow in the consequences of our sins.

With You

“I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. 4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” – Genesis 46:3-4

God spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  He made a covenant with them.  He promised them a land.  Egypt wasn’t it.  Despite the fact that Joseph was in Egypt, Jacob was reluctant to make the journey.  But God promised Jacob that He would “personally” accompany him on the journey and in time, bring him back again.  The promise of His presence was good enough for the aged Jacob.  Down to Egypt, he went.

11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” – Exodus 3:11-12

I Am

With the passage of time, the work of Joseph was forgotten and favor became slavery.  As promised, the nation of Israel grew while in Egypt, but their growth became a threat.  Out of their dread for the Israelites, the Egyptian’s decided to “afflict them heavy burdens” and “made their lives bitter with hard service”.  Under this oppression, the people of Israel groaned and cried out for help.  God heard their cry for rescue, and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:25).  Rescue was coming in the form of Moses.  But first God had to encourage Moses with the promise of His presence.  The great “I Am” who accompanied Israel down to Egypt would now go with Moses to deliver the nation of Israel from there.  Back to Egypt Moses went.

6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’” – Exodus 6:6-8

Shekinah Glory

The Israelites groaned for deliverance, but when the deliverer came, they did not believe him.  God tried to alleviate their fears with His promised presence, but their spirits were broken because of their harsh slavery.  Ready or not to believe, after a series of plagues manifesting the power of God, out of Egypt Israel would go guided by the Shekinah Glory.

51 And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts. – Exodus 12:51

As a pillar of cloud by day, to block the heat of the sun, and as a pillar of fire by night, to provide heat and light, God led His people.  They needed guidance and comfort.  His presence provided both.  When the Egyptians pursued them to the Red Sea, they needed safe passage and protection.  God told them to fear not, to stand back, and to witness the salvation of the Lord.  The same waters that parted for the Israelites drowned the Egyptians.  The salvation of the Lord is an awesome thing to witness.

Promised Presence

8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. – Exodus 25:8

God gave the Israelites water from the rock.  He gave them manna from Heaven.  He gave them the law at Mount Sinai.  Now it was time for the promise of His presence.  When He gave Moses the Law, God also gave him the plans for a sanctuary.  The sanctuary would reflect the holiness of God.  It would be a place of sacrifice and worship.  Although the plans were made by God, the people would have to donate their money for its construction.  Although the tabernacle was modest, it laid the groundwork for the future Temples.  Items of spiritual significance such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat, Table for Bread, and the Golden Lampstand would be housed in the tabernacle.  But most important to the Jews was the fact that God would dwell in their midst.  At least it should have been.

When God Leaves

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.  24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity…26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions…28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind… – Romans 1:21-24a, 26a, 28a

As the nation of Israel learned, it is scary when God leaves us to wallow in the consequences of our sins.  The humble wilderness tabernacle eventually gave way to the majestic Temples built by Solomon and Herod.  Each of which would be destroyed by Israel’s enemies.  Both destructions were forwarned by God despite the disbelief of the Israelites.  Ezekiel’s vision of the Glory of God leaving the Temple reminds us of the consequences of sin.  Romans chapter one shows us just how depraved men can become when God removes his intervention from their lives.  Knowing our propensity towards “futile thinking” and “foolish hearts” makes us thankful for the work and words of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16

5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5b

Agree With God

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21 “Agree with God, and be at peace;
    thereby good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from his mouth,
    and lay up his words in your heart. – Job 22:21-22

The Wickedness of Man

Our society, like our world, is in trouble.  Just in case you hadn’t already noticed.  We want good without God.  Mankind has cast off the shackles of restraint in the name of liberation.  We have boasted of killing God and instead deified self-aggrandizement.  We persecute those with moral convictions and celebrate perversity in the name of diversity.  With hearts that are full of hatred, we give lip service to peace.  With blood on our hands, we talk about love.  We dispose of the weakest in our society in the name of choice and pat ourselves on the back for promoting rights.  Despite all of the boasts about greater education and advances in civility, Genesis chapter six gives the clearest description of how things really are.

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. – Genesis 6:5

The Role of Victim

We are so delusional to our depravity that we can’t even see the source of our problems.  Rather than looking honestly in the mirror, we self-righteously point fingers, forever playing the role of victim.  It is so easy to blame the education system, the greed of corporate America, the hypocrites in the churches, the guns, or even God Himself (although claiming He doesn’t exist).  What we need to do is remove ourselves from the throne we were never meant to occupy.  We are in way over our heads.  If we really want peace, we will heed the advice of Eliphaz and agree with God.

Interrogated by God

I firmly believe that the best cure for the delusion of man is an interrogation.   By God.  If only God would speak once again out of the whirlwind as He did to Job.

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy? – Job 38:1-7

With these words, God was just getting started.  There was much more to follow.

6 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

7 “Dress for action like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.
8 Will you even put me in the wrong?
    Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
9 Have you an arm like God,
    and can you thunder with a voice like his? – Job 40:6-9

This is just a sampling to remind us that none of us would fare well if we were on the stand and God was interrogating us.  But if we want the right answers, we need to ask, or be asked, the right questions.  Too often we avoid them because they are hard questions.  But if we really want peace, often we have to “squirm” a little before God will grant it to us.  Being cured of our self-delusion isn’t always comfortable, but it is for our best. Personally, I would rather hear God say, “Well done good and faithful servant”, than “who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”  A stand may not be comfortable, but it fits us better than a throne.

The Counsel of Eliphaz

Eliphaz encouraged Job to receive instruction from God’s mouth, and to lay up His words in his heart.  Eliphaz may have been charged with giving Job bad counsel, but I don’t believe this advice fell into that category.  To the contrary, this counsel is always wise and always timely.  God’s Word is not only a lamp for our feet, it is our lifeline.  We MUST consistently be in His Word and hiding it in our hearts.  Unlike the shifting sand that is the wisdom of the world, God’s Word is unchangeable.  It is absolute Truth.  What was true in the beginning will be true in the end.

The Word of God

God doesn’t need to speak out of a whirlwind, He has left us the Bible.  It is all we need during these trying times.  It is sufficient for our peace.  God only desires that we avail ourselves of it, and agree with it.  Despite the wickedness of the world, we will always have hope because of God’s Word.

10 “Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;
    clothe yourself with glory and splendor.
11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
    and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.
12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low
    and tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 Hide them all in the dust together;
    bind their faces in the world below.
14 Then will I also acknowledge to you
    that your own right hand can save you. – Job 40:10-14

23 If you return to the Almighty you will be built up;
    if you remove injustice far from your tents,
24 if you lay gold in the dust,
    and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed,
25 then the Almighty will be your gold
    and your precious silver. – Job 22:23-25

Who Do You Say I Am?

The questions God asked Job help to give us a proper perspective.  If we want peace we have to properly answer the question posed by Jesus.

“But who do you say that I am?” – Matthew 16:15

The same God that spoke to Job from a whirlwind gives us the answer from a cloud.  The cure for our sin is His Son.  It is wise to agree with Him.

5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” – Matthew 17:5

Mercy’s Triumph

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13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:13

Mercy

While Jesus was sitting in the temple teaching a crowd of people, His lesson quickly became one about mercy.  As Jesus was teaching, He was interrupted by a passionate and bloodthirsty crowd headed by the scribes and Pharisees.  These men, who were supposed to be doing the teaching and leading were here to test Jesus.  Their object lesson was a woman they had caught in the act of adultery.  Moses commanded us to stone such a woman to death, but what do you say?

Before He opened His mouth, Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground.  I have often heard people accuse the religious leaders of foul play, after all where was the guilty man?  Was this woman framed?  Also, much speculation has been made about what Jesus wrote on the ground.  Some suggest that He began to write down sins that the accusers were guilty of.  Perhaps even affairs.  I don’t know what happened to the man, or what Jesus wrote, but I do know one thing, the religious leaders did not get the response from Jesus that they expected, and the woman did not get what she deserved.  Instead, a crowd of sinners learned from the Savior that mercy triumphs over judgment.

Partiality

James begins his second chapter teaching about the dangers of partiality.  Specifically, he warns against exalting the wealthy and dishonoring the poor among us.  James then reminds us that our objective is to “love our neighbor as yourself”, in contrast to showing partiality which is a sin.  After all, he reminds us, breaking one commandment makes us guilty of violating the whole of the law.  And as we know, breaking the law brings judgment.  But thanks to Christ, we are judged by the law of liberty (James 2:12).

Authority

When the scribes and Pharisees brought the adulteress woman to Jesus, they brought her under the authority of Moses.  Moses said we are to stone her.  Case settled.  But Hebrews chapter three tells us that Jesus is greater than Moses.  As a matter of fact, Jesus created Moses.  Moses was a servant of God, Jesus is the Son of God.  God used Moses to deliver the law, God sent Jesus to fulfill the law.  Moses, as representative of the law, could condemn the woman, Jesus as the Savior could forgive her.  Perhaps when Jesus bent down to write on the ground, He drew a picture of the cross.  The only reason mercy triumphs over judgment is because Jesus endured our judgment when He hung on the cross.  The hand that wrote on the ground would be nailed to a Roman cross.  The lips that said, “neither do I condemn you”, would later cry out, “It is finished”.

We Can Relate

We were once the adulteress woman.  When we were brought before Jesus in all of our shame, He showed us mercy.  When Jesus forgave us, He told us to go and sin no more.  Do we understand what it means that we have been shown mercy when we deserved judgment?  Think about the woman as she was brought before Jesus.  She was guilty.  She was brought before a crowd; as if she wasn’t ashamed and embarrassed enough already.  She is brought to the temple and thrust before Jesus, the miracle-working young rabbi.  Perhaps Jesus bent to write on the ground because this woman couldn’t even lift her eyes.  Moses said to stone her and her accusers had already armed themselves.  They were just waiting for Jesus to acquiesce.  How do you suppose she felt when Jesus turned the tables on her accusers?  What must have gone through her mind when one by one they walked away, carrying judgment with them?   “Has no one condemned you?…Neither do I condemn you.”  Mercy triumphed.

People of Mercy

As forgiven people, we are to be people of mercy.  James tells us that faith without works is dead.  Here he is telling us if we don’t show mercy we don’t have evidence of being saved by grace, and therefore will be subject to judgment.  But, we are people of mercy, and therefore are supposed to exercise it.  Which brings us back to partiality.  James reminds us there is no place for it.  In the culture during the time of James, for all practical purposes, there was no middle class.  You simply had the wealthy and the poor and you knew which side of the divide you were on.  The culture might make such a distinction, but in the church, the dividing wall was toppled.  There was no room for partiality.  Period.  The self-seeking attitude that shows preference to the wealthy and the pride that shows condescension to the poor do not reflect the law of liberty.  Far from it, James writes that when we make such distinctions we have become “judges with evil thoughts” (James 2:4).  Judgment is not supposed to rule the day.

Although partiality is still a problem, I doubt that it is so to the extent that is was during the Roman empire.  While the sins of self-seeking and pride are alive and well, I believe that they are more likely to flesh themselves out in self-righteousness.  I may be wrong, but how many people will not come into our churches because they will have the stones of judgment cast at them?  I understand that sometimes such excuses are fabricated, but I am not so naive as to believe that it is never true.  Shame on us when it is.  Christ went to the cross for the adulteress woman.  He went to the cross for you and me.  He went to the cross so we could worship together as equals.  Jesus “wrote” on the ground with his blood, so we would drop our stones and hold out hands of mercy.  We are to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Especially the “adulteress women” of the world.  Christ has chosen not to condemn them so why should we?  Mercy Triumphs!!

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7

26 “With the merciful you show yourself merciful…” – 2 Samuel 22:26

Embalming Israel

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50 Then Joseph fell on his father’s face and wept over him and kissed him. 2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Forty days were required for it, for that is how many are required for embalming. And the Egyptians wept for him seventy days. – Genesis 50:1-3

Embalming & Faith

When reading the above passage I was struck by the statement that says the physicians embalmed Israel (Jacob).  For forty days after his death, Israel was being prepared for the grave.  It is ironic that the command was given by Joseph, the son Israel thought dead for so many years.  While Israel was mourning the supposed loss of Joseph, Joseph was actually flourishing in Egypt.  Despite the attempts of others to “destroy” him, Joseph was spared by God to save lives.  Regardless of his circumstances, Joseph always trusted in God and His sovereign plans, faithfully serving wherever God led.  Joseph knew the dampness of a deep pit and the loneliness of an Egyptian prison, but he was never abandoned by his Heavenly Father.  But even his deep faith in God did not negate the grief he felt for the loss of Israel, his earthly father.

When Israel died, Joseph embraced him, wept over him, and kissed him.  And then he ordered the embalming of his father, an Egyptian not a Hebrew tradition.  But Joseph ordered the physicians to embalm Israel, not the priests of Osiris as was the norm.  Joseph wasn’t buying into the Egyptian death cult, rather he wanted his father’s body to endure the long trip to the promised land per his request.  Embalming Israel was not an act of compromise, but an act of faith.

Israel’s Command

29 Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah— 32 the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.” – Genesis 49:29-32

When God first called Abram, He commanded him to leave his country and go to the land He would show him (Canaan) and there God would make him a great nation.  In Canaan, Abraham bought a cave in which to bury his wife Sarah.  It is in this cave, where Israel’s grandparents, parents, and wife are buried; and therefore where Israel wants his body laid to rest as well.  Hence the great efforts to embalm his body for the long journey.  In a humble cave in Canaan, the remains of the patriarchs proclaim their conviction that they believed God’s promise to give the promised land to their family.  The cave was not just a sepulcher for the patriarchs, it was also a testimony to their faith.

Wandering & Unbelief

As I thought of the testimony that Israel’s embalming represented, my mind then contrasted it with the forty years of wandering by the nation of Israel.  On the brink of entering the Promised Land after God rescued them from their Egyptian slavery, the Israelites displayed unbelief and disobedience.  Their fear of the inhabitants of the land was greater than their belief in God’s promises.  They said they would have preferred to die in Egypt or the wilderness than conquering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:2)  Be careful what you wish for.  As a punishment for their disbelief, the people were cursed with forty years of wilderness wandering.  The soles of their feet would never tread the land of Canaan originally promised to Abram.  As the unfaithful generation died off, their bodies would lie in the wilderness.  Just as the embalming of Israel’s’ body was a testimony of belief, the wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness was a testament to unbelief.  Afraid of dying at the hands of their enemies, they subjected themselves to the wrath of God.  Their dead bodies scattered throughout the wilderness serving as constant reminder of the sin of unbelief.

Promised Land

I don’t mean to equate Canaan with Heaven, but there is a corollary in terms of the consequences of taking God at His Word.  God has promised Heaven to those who place their faith in Christ, while those who do not believe will not see the “Promised Land.”  But even beyond this, I believe the embalming of Israel and the wandering of the Israelites can convict us.  How real is the “Promised Land” to us?

Israel blessed his sons, and then with his dying breath asked that his body is buried in Canaan.  Up to the very end, he clung to the promises of God.  Although he would die on a bed in Egypt, he did not want that to be his final resting place.  Egypt was not his home.  In an act of faith, he charged his sons to bury his body.  At home.  His conviction was shared by Joseph.

Me Too

24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. – Genesis 50:34-26

Joseph’s faith was not in vain.  In time, God did visit Israel and redeemed them from bondage.  Joseph’s body was exhumed and laid to rest with those of his ancestors.

32 As for the bones of  Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph. – Joshua 24:32

Like his father, Joseph’s final instructions related to the burial of his body in the Promised Land.  What impression was left on Joseph’s sons to be charged by their father and brother regarding the burial of their bodies?  A long and trying time was just ahead for the nation of Israel.  During the dark years of Egyptian bondage, they must have felt like they were in a grave.  Do you suppose the bones of Israel and Joseph inspired them?  One of them was already in the Promised Land and the other was waiting for the visitation of God so his “brothers” could reunite them.  Like Joseph in the pit or the Egyptian prison, and the nation of Israel in bondage, we need to keep the faith.  We never know what acts of faith will encourage our fellow believers.  Who knows what act of faith we might be commended for?

22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. – Hebrews 11:22

Great Is Artemis!?

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28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” – Acts 19:28

34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” – Acts 19:34

Keep Shouting

GREAT IS ARTEMIS OF THE EPHESIANS!  GREAT IS ARTEMIS OF THE EPHESIANS!  GREAT IS ARTEMIS OF THE EPHESIANS!  GREAT IS ARTEMIS OF THE EPHESIANS!

So shouted the throng in Ephesus.  They had been stirred into a frenzy.  The words of Charles Dickens, although describing a different scene, well summarizes the crowd, “They had reached that pitch of impatience and anxiety where men can neither be persuaded or reasoned with; and (that) it would have been as easy to turn the most impetuous wind that ever blew, as to prevail on them to reconsider their determination” (The Old Curiosity Shop).   What caused the crowd to gather?  What were they so upset about?  What would cause grown men to gather and cry out in unison for two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”?  The Truth.  And they did not possess it.  At least not this crowd.

Ephesus & Artemis

Ephesus was prosperous.  It boasted of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  The temple dominated the landscape measuring 45o feet long, 225 feet wide and 60 feet tall, with more than 127 pillars framing it in.  It also played a vital part in the culture and economy of Ephesus.  As the name implies, the temple was built in honor of their goddess Artemis who was accredited with “powers” of fertility.  The temple was served by eunuch priests, virgin priestesses, and temple prostitutes, with “worship” rituals that were very erotic.  The temple drew large numbers of people who would not only bring business to the economy but as an act of homage to Artemis would leave jewelry and other valuables.  In fact, the Temple of Artemis was the world’s largest bank during that time.  What could be more convenient?  In the name of religion, the Ephesians justified the worship of sex and greed.  Life was good.  And then Paul arrived.

Paul in Ephesus

Acts chapter nineteen begins with the account of Paul coming into Ephesus and finding some disciples who had not heard of the Holy Spirit.  Paul immediately baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus, and laying hands on them they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  In the shadow of the Temple of Artemis, the battle line was drawn.  Equipped with the Good News, Paul was bringing the fight to the “Gates of Hell”.   After baptizing these disciples, Paul entered into the synagogue and for three months he spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading with his audience about the kingdom of God.  The Spirit was unleashed and the Truth was taught, but Paul wasn’t finished.  In addition to introducing the disciples to the Holy Spirit and casting the seeds of the Gospel, Paul’s ministry was “confirmed” by extraordinary miracles.  God not only used Paul’s hands to perform these signs, but even his handkerchiefs and aprons that had come into contact with his skin were used as conduits to carry out miracles on behalf of the sick or demon possessed.  Great is Artemis?

Satan in Ephesus

As the people of Ephesus began to have their eyes opened to the Truth, Satan began to get very protective of his territory.  Among those who profited from the crowds that came to the temple were the silversmiths who made shrines of Artemis that were sold at the temple.  When Paul taught that gods made by human hands were no gods at all, they recognized the financial impact this teaching might have on their profession.  In order to protect their revenue stream, and certainly the honor of their goddess and her temple, the silversmiths, led by Demetrius, started a riot.  As they took to the streets they filled the air with their shouts of, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”  Over and over and over.

Vain Repetition

Unfortunately for the Ephesians, and for us, repeating a lie doesn’t make it true.  Even if you shout it for two hours.  But when the facts are not on our side we become desperate and do foolish things.   Such as starting a frenzy.  If there can be a humorous side to something as dangerous as a riot, Luke exposes it,  “Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together” (Acts 19:32).  Quite a statement.  Paul has brought the light of the Gospel into the darkness of Ephesus, and here we have the blind leading the blind.  Paul wanted to rush into this throng with the Truth, but his friends and allies stopped him for his own safety.  They recognized the difficulty in trying to turn the impetuous wind.  Paul had scattered the seeds, the wind was now carrying them.

The Temple of Artemis is long gone.  Nobody I know of worships Artemis.  Ultimately, they were no match for the Truth.  But the church can never rest.  Satan continues to repeat his lies.  Over and over and over.  “God made me this way, how can you condemn me?”.  “God is love, He will accept my lifestyle.”  “We are all on the same path worshiping the same God.”  “I am not happy in this relationship, God wouldn’t want me to stay in it.”  “The church is full of hypocrites, why should I join them and submit to their authority?’.  Etc. Etc. Etc.  The Church must remain diligent.

First Love

In Revelation Chapter Two, the Church in Ephesus is charged with abandoning the love they had at first.  A danger we must all take to heart and guard against.  The world doesn’t like the Truth.  It is threatened by it, or more accurately, Him.  We will continue to be shouted down like a conservative at UC Berkeley, but we must stand our ground.  Paul would never compromise the Truth and neither can we.  The masses will continue to riot.  They will accuse us of hate speech and threaten us.  But we must stay true to the Word.  We must not abandon the love we had at first.  The world will continue to shout “Great is Artemis”, but as Luke pointed out, they are confused and don’t even know why they are here.  We do.  They are here because God created them in His image so that they will love Him and Worship Him.  The only way that will ever happen is if we point them to our First Love.  It should be easy enough to do, the Temple of His Body overshadows everything else in history’s landscape.  Definitely, something to shout about.

145 I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. – Psalm 145:1-7

Hezekiah’s Bravery

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Hezekiah
7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. – 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Sennacherib was on a rampage.

As King of Assyria, he was on a military mission. His war campaign included attacks against Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah. (2 Kings 18:33-34) His victories over these cities emboldened him to attack Jerusalem. If the gods of these defeated cities could not save them, what hope did Jerusalem have? Certainly, the gods of these cities were more powerful than the God of Jerusalem.  Like a cat playing with a mouse, Sennacherib toyed with Jerusalem.

While Hezekiah was trying to encourage his people and give them confidence, Sennacherib was practicing psychological warfare.  He sent men to Jerusalem with a message undermining the leadership of Hezekiah.  Sennacherib wanted to arouse discontent with Hezekiah.  He accused him of being an abusive leader looking out for his own interests. Specifically, Hezekiah was charged with heresy, forced labor, deception, and endangering the lives of his subjects.

Sennacherib didn’t only attack King Hezekiah’s reputation, he also attacked Judah’s God.

Sennacherib not only wanted to instill discontent with the king, he wanted to instill fear by causing doubt about the power of God. No god has stopped me yet, why do you think your God will be any different?

13 Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands at all able to deliver their lands out of my hand? 14 Who among all the gods of those nations that my fathers devoted to destruction was able to deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? 15 Now, therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or mislead you in this fashion, and do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand!’” – 2 Chronicles 32:13-15

Can you hear Satan’s roar behind Sennacherib’s taunts?

Our metal is tested when the enemy comes roaring.  In this case, the army is surrounding with the intent to lay siege.  Outside is a powerful enemy who knows how to fight, and how to use dissension and fear to weaken an enemy.  The cat playing with the mouth is a lion who shows off his teeth when he roars.  These tactics may have been effective against his other opponents, but Hezekiah wasn’t conceding.  Sennacherib may be powerful, but his is an arm of flesh.  His horde may be large, but we have God on our side.  Despite the blasphemy of Sennacherib, our all-powerful God is more than able to defeat any enemy.  Including Sennacherib.

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or dismayed.  With these simple words from King Hezekiah, the people took confidence.  But Hezekiah didn’t just give them comforting words.  He took action.

20 Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. – 2 Chronicles 32:20

While Sennacherib was employing psychological warfare, Hezekiah was going before the throne of God.  And he did not approach God alone, he prayed with the prophet Isaiah.  I know we are not supposed to worship our fellow man, but I sure would have felt some comfort just hearing Isaiah pray for deliverance.  Just as the people found confidence in the words of their king, Hezekiah found confidence in the prayers of the Prophet Isaiah.  And Isaiah’s confidence was in God, the ultimate source of Hezekiah’s bravery.

Hezekiah knew Sennacherib’s army was powerful, but not as powerful as prayer.

While the mighty enemy is without, we have the privilege of addressing the Almighty God of Heaven.  Sennacherib was right about one thing. The battle really isn’t fair.  An arm of flesh is nothing before Yahweh.  Sennacherib’s horde was no match for God’s angels.

21 And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword. 22 So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side. – 2 Chronicles 32:21-22

35 And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. – 2 Kings 19:35

One angel comes down from Heaven and 185,000 men are struck down.

Sennacherib goes home without shooting an arrow, just as the Lord promised (2 Kings 19:32). Sennacherib goes home and is later killed by his sons as he is worshipping Nisroch, his false god.  A god who was helpless when Sennacherib most needed him.

How sad it is that when Satan roars it is so much easier to see the arm of flesh than remember the God who helps us and fights our battles.  Hezekiah was far from being a perfect man, but we can learn from his bravery in this incident.  Despite the overwhelming size of the enemy and the fear they were trying to instill in his people, Hezekiah kept his focus on God, and encouraged his people to do the same.  But he did more than talk, he believed in the power of prayer.  Imagine what the people must have thought when they rose early in the morning and instead of seeing the enemy marching at them, they saw the enemy lying dead all around them.

Do you hear Satan roaring? Be strong and courageous. And pray. There are more with us than with him.

32 “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. 34 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.” – 2 Kings 19:32-33

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Micaiah’s Message

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7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” – Second Chronicles 18:7

Talk about strange unions.

Here we have a conversation between Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and Ahab, king of Israel.  The Bible tells us that Jehoshaphat was a good king who walked in the ways of King David.  He did not follow the Baals, but rather followed the commandments of the one and only true God.  He fortified the cities of Judah against Israel, who had turned against God.  It is said that the heart of Jehoshaphat was courageous in the ways of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:6).  And then there is Ahab, his polar opposite.  Ahab was everything Jehoshaphat was not.

30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. – 1 Kings 16:30-33

Ahab was quite a man.

Evil that is.  Behind this evil man was a notoriously evil woman, Jezebel.  Jezebel was a pagan woman who hated and opposed the God of Israel.  This evil couple openly promoted the worship of Baal and Asherah in Israel.  Ahab surrounded himself with 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 prophets of Asherah.  The 450 prophets of Baal were destroyed when they were challenged by the Prophet Elijah.  Elijah boldly faced the 450 prophets of Baal, but he fled from the evil Jezebel.  That is pretty sobering.  But this gives us an idea of just how cruel and twisted Ahab and Jezebel were.

When Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, he offered to buy it from him.  Naboth, however, refused Ahab’s offer.  Ahab responded by going home and sulking.  Jezebel responded by having Naboth falsely accused and stoned to death.  Ahab got his vineyard.  However, it came with a heavy price tag.  God sent Elijah to tell Ahab that his descendants would be cut off, and Jezebel would be eaten by dogs.  I sure hope it was a nice vineyard.

With these biography sketches, we will return back to today’s text.

For whatever reason, the godly Jehoshaphat gave his son Jehoram in marriage to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.  With a marriage alliance in place, Jehoshaphat decided to pay a visit to Ahab, going down to him in Samaria.  When he arrived, Ahab treated him to a great feast and then asked him if he would assist him in a battle against Ramoth-gilead.  Jehoshaphat agreed, provided they first enquired for the word of the LORD.  Conveniently, Ahab had 400 prophets available to consult with.  I am guessing these were the 400 prophets of Asherah mentioned earlier.  With one voice they told Ahab what he wanted to hear.  Attack Ramoth-gilead and the victory will be yours.  Jehoshaphat wasn’t impressed or convinced.  No offense Ahab, but don’t you have any prophets of the LORD?  This is where it gets humorous.  Or sad.

Ahab was not only an evil man, but he wasn’t in touch with reality.

He had surrounded himself with “yes” men.  Perhaps we might say he only watched fake news.  Jehoshaphat, however, saw right through it and requested someone who might be so bold as to speak the truth from God, and not just what he wanted to hear.  I am not sure where Elijah was, but Ahab suggests Micaiah.  Reluctantly.  Like the spoiled child who sulked over Naboth’s vineyard, Ahab blurted out that he hated Micaiah because he never prophesied good concerning him but only evil.  Go figure.

As I read this passage, I can’t help but think of what Paul wrote to Timothy.

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. – 1 Timothy 4:2-4

I am afraid we are living in the “age of Ahab”.

We live in a day of “itching ears”.  As Paul wrote to Timothy, suiting our passions has become more important than listening to the truth.  Like Ahab, we tolerate those who tell us what we want to hear but hate those who speak the truth.  The result is that being a Christian is quickly becoming criminal.  Again.  There is truly nothing new under the sun.  While it is easy to criticize and poke fun at Ahab, I really want to commend the Micaiah’s of the world.

Micaiah doesn’t dominate the pages of Scripture to the degree that Elijah and Elisha do, but in this picture we have of him you have to love the man.  Much like Melchizedek, he seems to come out of nowhere.  He is called before King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat who are elevated, seated on their thrones adorned in their royal robes.  He is surrounded by 400 false prophets.  He knows the “favorable” word they have unanimously given.  He knows the volatile nature of Ahab and his dislike for him.  He knows the consequence of speaking the truth.  But he is not deterred.

The pressure is on Micaiah.

The false prophets have set the stage.  The messenger who “retrieved” Micaiah warns him that his word better be consistent with that of the false prophets.   I love Micaiah’s response.

“As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” 2 Chronicles 18:13b

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that quote framed anywhere, but I believe that is what Paul had in mind when he encouraged Timothy.  It should be the motto of every Christian minister.  It should be the motto of every Christian.

Micaiah wasn’t intimidated by the 400 false prophets.

He wasn’t swayed by the messengers “subtle” threat.  He didn’t flinch before the thrones of the two kings.  How could he?  He had a clear vision of the King of kings sitting on His eternal throne, surrounded by the host of heaven.  What better motivation could a messenger of God have?

18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. – 2 Chronicles 18:18

Micaiah knew the consequences of speaking the Truth.  And he also knew the consequences of not speaking the Truth.  His job was to act as a prophet of the living God.  Ahab had plenty of ear ticklers, but Micaiah was cut of a different cloth.  Micaiah did not agree with the false prophets that the battle would be won.  On the contrary, he told Ahab he would not survive the battle.  For speaking the Truth, Micaiah was put in prison.  For ignoring the Truth, Ahab was killed.  Eventually, his wife Jezebel would be eaten by dogs as Elijah prophesied.

God’s word is Truth.  His prophecies will always be fulfilled.  Ignoring His Word is foolish.

My prayer is that as God’s children we will place God’s Word above our passions.  And may God bless the Micaiah’s of the world.  I am grateful I am able to hear one every Sunday.  It is a blessing I do not take for granted.  He doesn’t tickle my ears but speaks what God says.  But unlike Ahab, I love him for it.

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The Eyes of the Lord

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9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

A Man’s View

The Bible tells us that God doesn’t see things the way men do.  When God rejected Saul as king, He sent Samuel to anoint Saul’s replacement.  We know that from all appearances, Saul had a lot going for him.  He was tall, dark & handsome.  In addition to his imposing stature and good looks, he was probably also an intelligent man.  But unfortunately, he grieved God with his disobedience, therefore, he was being replaced.  While Samuel was grieving Saul’s rejection, God decided to teach Samuel an important lesson.

The Lord Sees

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  – 1 Samuel 16:7

You are familiar with the story.  God tells Samuel to make a sacrifice and to invite Jesse and his sons.  Somehow, being invited to a sacrifice sounds intimidating to me!   However, at the sacrifice, Jesse’s sons are paraded before Samuel, but God doesn’t allow him to anoint any of them as Saul’s successor.  Samuel has seen seven of Jesse’s sons but God has not given him the green light.  So Samuel asks Jesse if there are any other sons to which Jesse replies in the affirmative.  His youngest son was out tending sheep.

Young David is called for and sure enough, he is God’s choice to replace Saul as king.  Although the Bible tells us that David is a handsome young man, he is not chosen because of his outward appearance, rather he is chosen because he is a man after God’s own heart.  David may have been out in the fields tending a flock of sheep, but he was never out of the sight of God.  The eyes of the Lord were running to and fro looking for a heart blameless toward Himself.  Now we have to turn our eyes back to Second Chronicles.

Asa’s Actions

With Asa, things started so well.  Second Chronicles chapter fourteen tells us that when he succeeded his father Abijah as king of Judah, the land had rest for ten years.  It is recorded that he did what is right and good in the eyes of his LORD his God.  He took away the foreign altars and removed the high places.  Not content only to remove idol worship, Asa also commanded Judah to seek God and keep His words and commandments.  Further, Asa fortified cities in Judah and prospered as he sought the Lord.  Judah experienced peace on every side.  Until…

After years of peace and prosperity, Asa was confronted with a test.  Under the leadership of Zera, an Ethiopian army of one million men came marching towards Judah.  How did Asa respond?  He called upon the LORD and went out to meet the army.  God rewarded Asa’s loyalty by routing the Ethiopian army until none remained.  An army of one million men was completely destroyed before the eyes of Asa and Judah.  Not only was the military threat removed, but Judah plundered the Ethiopian army and the cities surrounding the battle, carrying much wealth back to Jerusalem.

Timely Reminder

Success can be a dangerous trial.  After the defeat of the Ethiopian army, Azariah, inspired by God, gives this timely reminder.

“Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, 4 but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. 5 In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. 6 They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. 7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” – 2 Chronicles 15:1b-7

Asa was further inspired.  More idols were destroyed, a covenant was entered into, and oaths were made.  Those who did not seek the LORD were to be put to death.  Even Asa’s mother was demoted because of idolatry.  Asa was commended for a true heart.  The house of God was furnished with gifts, silver, gold, and vessels.  Peace reigned for a long time.  But not forever.

Bad Ending

In the thirty-sixth year of his reign, Asa was again threatened.  This time it was Baasha, King of Israel.  Instead of looking to God for protection as he did earlier, Asa sought outside help.  How quickly the tapestry that was years in the making began to unravel.  The silver and gold that was put into the house of God as an act of worship during the time of peace, was now taken out as a bribe to seek the help of Ben-hadad, king of Syria.  Ben-hadad accepted the bribe and war with Israel was prevented, but God wasn’t impressed.  Rather, Asa was “scolded” by the seer Hanani, who rebuked him for relying on a man instead of God.  He reminded him of the victory God gave him over the Ethiopian army, and that from this moment on his life would be filled with wars.  It was at this time that Hanani reminded Asa that the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards Him.

What began so well for Asa ended badly.  In anger, he put Hanani the seer in stocks for his rebuke and showed further cruelty to others.  Eventually, he became severely diseased in his feet, perhaps God was putting Asa in “stocks”.  Instead of seeking God for help, he only sought the help of physicians.  Ignoring God did not work.  Asa slept with his fathers.  He died according to his covenant.  Those who did not seek the LORD were to be put to death.

Running Eyes & Blameless Hearts

We can learn a lot from Saul, David, and Asa.  The things that impress other men, don’t necessarily impress God.  God is not so interested in our physical attributes.  He is not most interested in our talents.  Our possessions and wealth don’t impress Him.  We can give Him our time, but even that isn’t what He is most interested in.  No.  Gods’ eyes are running to and fro throughout the whole earth looking for blameless hearts. He wants hearts that are loyal to Him.  He wants hearts that trust Him.  He is scanning the masses of humanity looking for hearts that love Him and want to please Him.  He is looking for true worshippers.  Why?  He wants to give them strong support.  The God who annihilated Zera’s million man army is more than sufficient to conquer whatever enemies are threatening your peace.

The eyes of the Lord are running to and fro.  What will they see when they look into your heart?

The Hope of Glory

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27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. – Colossians 1:27

Chosen

As we read through the Bible beginning in Genesis, we see the special relationship between God and His chosen people Israel.  They are the apple of His eye.  God’s choice, however, wasn’t based on any merit.  He tells us in Deuteronomy chapter seven He did not choose Israel because they were the largest nation (most numerous), on the contrary, they were the least.  They did not catch God’s eye because of their good looks.  They did not garner his attention because of their superior wisdom.  Not at all.  They are unique because God chose them.  Plain and simple.

After the fall, God promised a redeemer.  The Messiah had to come from some people.  God chose Israel for that special lineage.  God entered into a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Despite their weaknesses, God never waivered from His Word.  He gave them the sign of circumcision.  He delivered Israel from Egypt.  He gave them the Ten Commandments.  He raised up prophets among them.  He gave them Priests.  When they asked for it, He gave them a King.  He gave them the special privilege of being His representatives on earth.  They were to be His “missionaries”, pointing the other nations to Himself and His promised Messiah.  If you were a Gentile, you would have felt like you were on the outside looking in.  But with God, there is always more than meets the eye.

Sent

Christ, the promised Messiah, would come, and meet with a Samaritan woman at a well, revealing Himself as the Messiah and turn her into a missionary.  Philip would proclaim the Gospel in Samaria and then be used to convert an Ethiopian Eunuch.  Saul, an enemy of the Church, would be saved and made a missionary to the Gentiles.  Peter would receive a vision and then be sent to the home of Cornelius and as he presented the gospel to a house full of Gentiles, the Holy Spirit descended on them.  Confusion would ensue and a Council would be held, and the Church would “welcome” the Gentiles into the “family”.  God’s mystery was revealed.  While the Jews may be unique in their relationship with God, they were not exclusive.  God’s salvation is offered to both Jews and Gentiles.  A truth that thrilled the heart of Paul.

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:12-14

Spirit

Paul encourages the Gentile believers that they have been transferred to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son.  At salvation, we are transferred to the kingdom of Christ, and Christ the King takes up residence in us.  Paul expounds on the fact that Christ is no less than God Himself.  He is our Creator and Sustainer.  He is our Prophet, Priest, and King.  He is our hope.  He has made a covenant with us that He can not break.  It is impossible for Him to go back on His word.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. – John 14:16-17

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. – Ephesians 1:13-14

Hope

Christ in us, the hope of glory.  Our hope is not wishful thinking.  This isn’t like hoping it is going to rain tomorrow or that the Lions might win a Super Bowl someday.  Look at what John, Paul, and Peter wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Christ will ask the Father and He will give us another Helper to be with us forever.  The Father will not deny the request of the Son.  Further, Paul writes that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.  Peter goes on to tell us that we are being guarded by God’s power.  To this, Paul adds that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance.  God doesn’t go back on His word.  He is a covenant-keeping God.  Our Hope of glory isn’t fantasy, it is a certainty.  It could be no more certain if we were already in heaven.  God has guaranteed it.

Hard to imagine, isn’t it?  We who were apparently on the outside looking in were always a part of God’s plan.  Like the Jews, we are not a part of God’s family because of any merit.  Our hope is not in our talents, wisdom, or good works.  Rather, our only hope is in the mercy of God.  In His infinite wisdom, He chose to stoop down and save us and secure our salvation by indwelling us with His Spirit; Christ in us!!  Our hope isn’t future, it is present.  Heaven is ours today because Christ is living in us.  No wonder Paul can write about the riches of the glory of this mystery.  Think of it, we have been delivered from the domain of darkness and now share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  All because of the love of the Father and the blood of the Son.  With the Spirit of Christ in us, we know with certainty that we will be resurrected and see Christ face to face.  Until we see our heavenly inheritance, we will continue to be conformed to the image of Christ who lives in us.

On the outside looking in?  Not at all.  Christ is on the inside looking out for our glory.  What greater hope could we possibly have?

Christ in us, the hope of Glory.

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. – John 14:20

Captives

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5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5

Oncoming Trains

Just because you think everyone is out to get you doesn’t mean they’re not.

The light at the end of the tunnel; it’s an oncoming freight train.

Humourous statements to most of us, and yet so indicative of the mindset of many people.  What difference does it make if the glass is half empty or half full if it is poisoned?  And how easily Satan can poison our minds if we don’t take every thought captive.  In the context, Paul is talking about the thoughts of his opponents, but the same principle applies to our thought life.  We often talk about the dangers of the world’s isms; humanism, secularism, existentialism, postmodernism, etc.  Certainly, these are dangerous weapons used by the enemy of our souls.  But have you ever stopped to think that the real danger begins with us and not from without?  We can never become experts in every ism.  We can never become experts in every false religion.  In order to detect counterfeits, we have to be experts in reality.  We have to be students of the Truth.  We have to saturate our minds with Truth.  The more familiar we are with real currency the more quickly we will discern a counterfeit.  In order to destroy arguments and lofty opinions which originate in the pit of hell, we need the knowledge of God.  If we don’t take every thought captive, we will be the captives.

Poisonous Fruit

Remember when God was leading his children to the promise land?  God told Moses to send spies into the land of Canaan to check out the land.  Moses selected one man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel and sent them with simple instructions.  Check out the land.  Check out the people.  Be of good courage.  And finally, bring back some fruit of the land.  After forty days they brought back their report along with some fruit.  Unfortunately, ten of them left their courage behind.  All twelve of the spies agreed that the land was fertile, “flowing with milk and honey”, and they produced the fruit to verify it.  Unfortunately, ten of them also brought back some poison as well as the fruit.  To them, although the land was fertile, the people were formidable.  They were so large and strong that in comparison, they were as grasshoppers.  Unfortunately, they made the wrong comparison.  The people may have been large and strong, but compared to God they were less than grasshoppers.  The ten fearful spies did not take their thoughts captive, instead, they were captives to their thoughts.  Instead of confidence in God, they poisoned the people with their fears.  We may have been miraculously delivered from Egypt, but that light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming freight train.

Promises & Power

What does God think of our fears?  Despite the numerous promises He has given us and the power He has manifested we still harbor doubts.  Instead of destroying dangerous arguments we allow them to take seed.  Instead of obliterating lofty opinions we entertain them.  Instead of taking destructive thoughts captive, we allow them to mutiny the ship.  We live in fear that everyone is out to get us because we believe the lies of the world instead of the Word of God; which is a form of rebellion.  Listen to the words of Joshua and Caleb, the two brave spies who had a healthy knowledge of God.

“The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” – Numbers 14:7b-9

Proper Perspective

Joshua and Caleb saw the same land that the other ten spies saw.  They saw the same people and carried home the same fruit.  For forty days they shared the same experiences with these men in Canaan.  But while the other ten spies allowed their imaginations to run rampant Joshua and Caleb took every thought captive and ran them through the filter of Truth.  As impressive as the people of Canaan were, they were no match for their Creator.  Unfortunately, the poison had already taken effect on the people.  Instead of being convinced by the argument of Joshua and Caleb, the people wanted to stone them.  But they were stopped from doing so by the glory of the LORD.  The Great I AM had heard and seen enough.  It was time to put things in a proper perspective.  For those that doubted and despaired, death outside of the promised land would be the result of the poison.

For forty years the nation would wander.  The ten rebellious spies, along with those they influenced, would all die before their descendants would be allowed to enter the land flowing with milk and honey.  A whole generation would perish because they chose to believe the word of men more than the word of God.  If ten out of twelve are in agreement they couldn’t possibly be wrong, could they?  And you thought public opinion polls were something new.  Just another one of Satan’s weapons.

Pure Thoughts

As I write this we are about to turn our calendars over to another year.  Many people will be making and breaking resolutions.  Some things never change.  The isms will be just as busy in 2018 as they were in 2017.  The counterfeits will be in full circulation.  The arguments and lofty opinions will be bombarding us.  Now is as good a time as any to look to the Captain of our souls and stop the mutiny.  Before we can destroy the arguments of our “opponents”, we need to do some house cleaning.  We need to take the negative thoughts that have taken us captive and throw them overboard.  Time to let go of the forgiven sins.  Time to bury the debilitating regrets.  Our sins have been forgiven and buried in the depth of the sea (Micah 7:18-19).  We have been washed by the blood of Christ and made a new Creation.  We have been given the mind of Christ and some simple commands.  Take every thought captive and think about what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, etc. (Philippians 4:8).

God wants His children to have minds that are pure, not poisoned.  It starts by having a healthy knowledge of God and then taking every thought captive.  We need to allow the Holy Spirit to remove the errors in our thinking.  God is bigger than our enemies, whether they are within or without.  Nothing is too difficult for Him.  May we enter 2018 with the confidence of Caleb.

30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” – Numbers 13:30