(Ezra 1-4)
Discouragement comes in all shapes and sizes, it comes in various forms and from different directions. It makes us abandon those things that we have determined to accomplish and those things we have set our hearts toward completing. It eats away at our very souls, making us an empty vessel. It is ugly and sad to see the end result of discouragement. I have been there and don't want to go back!
When the Babylonians were defeated and Cyrus, king of Persia came into power, he determined to send the Israelites back home. What a day of celebration that must have been! Nearly seventy years as captives in a foreign land; home must have seemed to be a distant, far away dream. He told them to go home, resettle their towns and rebuild the temple of the LORD.
Over 42,000 decide to go. I imagine that after living in a place your whole life; even though it might not be your dream home, it would still be difficult to leave all you know to go to place you have never seen. But still, 42,000 make the trip home. Cyrus provides the resources needed for the trip and he orders his subjects to provide for the rebuilding of the temple. They give them "gold and silver, goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts."
They arrive back in Jerusalem and begin to rebuild. While that is good news for them, imagine how those that were not Jewish, yet lived nearby felt. I can imagine the conversations around the water coolers. "They are back, those that killed our forefathers and took our land have been returned to build that temple again." "Here we go again, just when we were getting used to having our land and our gods." "What can we do to stop this from happening?" "How can we discourage them from living here and bringing God back into our lives?"
They decided that the best way to stop the rebuilding was to "help" them. Smart! Sometimes an enemy will work from the inside to destroy the efforts. The leaders of the effort recognized the ploy and told them that they "have no part with us in building a temple to our God." So, they determined to put roadblocks in their way. They decided to "discourage" them and bring "fear" into their lives. "They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans." They conspired together to end the effort of the Jews to reestablish their homes and a home for God.
Discouragement and fear.... two feelings that get in the way of accomplishing anything of value. God calls us to lives of service to him and his creation. He calls us to tell people about his son, Jesus and teach them to obey his commandments. We start out excited and ready to go, but soon... discouragement and fear. Our enemy knows how to work on us. Soon we are concerned about what people think of us. Soon we are rejected by someone and we decide that it is easier to be silent. We worry about losing our jobs or not getting a promotion. We worry about losing our friends and being rejected by our families. Discouragement and fear.
Early Christians faced the same things that we encounter. They give us great examples of how to confront discouragement and fear and overcome the emotions that paralyze us. In Acts 4, Peter and John are taken into custody for teaching about Jesus and spent the night in jail. They brought them out the next day and ordered them to stop teaching about Jesus. I am sure they felt discouragement and fear. Who wouldn't? But they give us a great lesson in overcoming!
"Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18-20)
I like that... "we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard". Discouraged, sure. Fearful, sure. But they had something, they knew someone, they trusted in Him and that was stronger than a feeling. HE is able! And because HE is able, so are we. Our trust is in Him. We know Him. He gives us encouragement and courage. Through Him, we can overcome anything that comes our way.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor: 9:8)
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8)
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:3)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
We Have An Advocate
(Job 15-16)
Sometimes when we are hurting, silence is golden. It is wonderful to be surrounded by those we love, but sometimes we need quiet. Job is with his friends and for a while they just sit with him. Seven days and nights, they suffered in silence with their friend. But when they started talking, they didn't know when to stop. I am sure a few words were comforting, but then they needed to be quiet. They began to reason why trouble had befallen Job. And they went on and on and on.
Job tried to answer them, but three against one is no bargain. In chapter 16, Job reminds us that no matter how difficult the arguments are here, no matter if we lose every debate here; we have an advocate in heaven.
Earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend. (Job 16: 18-21)
Attorneys are often called advocates. They argue for their client and present facts that they hope will enable them to win the case. Job tells us that while he might be losing the argument here, he is winning it where it counts. He has a friend in heaven that is pleading his case for him. I like that! I often feel that I lose with people here, my reasoning is not adequate to persuade them to accept my argument; but knowing that I have an advocate representing me in heaven gives me peace.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:1-3)
Our advocate, our attorney in heaven is Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is perfectly suited to represent us. He experienced everything that we face in this life and he is able to tell our story. But the kicker is this.... if the attorney loses the case here, the client pays the price; in heaven, our attorney, Jesus has already paid the price for us. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins."
Now that doesn't mean that I can do as I choose. There is an "if" in the next verse...."if we keep his commands". We are continually found "not guilty" as long as we continue to be faithful to Him. Will I mess up... sure. But the direction of my life must be heavenward; I must be following Him.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:6,7)
Jesus is our advocate in heaven and he has paid for our sin. That is a deal that any reasonable person will not pass up. I get to exchange my sinfulness for His righteousness. I get to trade my old rags for His robe and crown. And to top it all off.... He is my friend! "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." Just like Job, as Christians we have a friend standing before the Father making our case for us. I can hear Him now... "I know he messed up, I know she messed up, but look at him, look at her grow. They are doing so well."
May we all remember that we have a friend that stands before God on our behalf. He is Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God. Our friend is the son of God! What judge would ever rule against his son? We are in good hands; we have the perfect advocate.
Sometimes when we are hurting, silence is golden. It is wonderful to be surrounded by those we love, but sometimes we need quiet. Job is with his friends and for a while they just sit with him. Seven days and nights, they suffered in silence with their friend. But when they started talking, they didn't know when to stop. I am sure a few words were comforting, but then they needed to be quiet. They began to reason why trouble had befallen Job. And they went on and on and on.
Job tried to answer them, but three against one is no bargain. In chapter 16, Job reminds us that no matter how difficult the arguments are here, no matter if we lose every debate here; we have an advocate in heaven.
Earth, do not cover my blood;
may my cry never be laid to rest!
Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend. (Job 16: 18-21)
Attorneys are often called advocates. They argue for their client and present facts that they hope will enable them to win the case. Job tells us that while he might be losing the argument here, he is winning it where it counts. He has a friend in heaven that is pleading his case for him. I like that! I often feel that I lose with people here, my reasoning is not adequate to persuade them to accept my argument; but knowing that I have an advocate representing me in heaven gives me peace.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. (1 John 2:1-3)
Our advocate, our attorney in heaven is Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is perfectly suited to represent us. He experienced everything that we face in this life and he is able to tell our story. But the kicker is this.... if the attorney loses the case here, the client pays the price; in heaven, our attorney, Jesus has already paid the price for us. "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins."
Now that doesn't mean that I can do as I choose. There is an "if" in the next verse...."if we keep his commands". We are continually found "not guilty" as long as we continue to be faithful to Him. Will I mess up... sure. But the direction of my life must be heavenward; I must be following Him.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:6,7)
Jesus is our advocate in heaven and he has paid for our sin. That is a deal that any reasonable person will not pass up. I get to exchange my sinfulness for His righteousness. I get to trade my old rags for His robe and crown. And to top it all off.... He is my friend! "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." Just like Job, as Christians we have a friend standing before the Father making our case for us. I can hear Him now... "I know he messed up, I know she messed up, but look at him, look at her grow. They are doing so well."
May we all remember that we have a friend that stands before God on our behalf. He is Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God. Our friend is the son of God! What judge would ever rule against his son? We are in good hands; we have the perfect advocate.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Shall We Accept Good From God, And Not Trouble? (Tribute to Doc)
The book of Job is filled with difficult teachings that are hard to deal with. For example, why would God allow Satan the ability to harm His servant? Job was a faithful, yet wealthy man who honored God with all he had. Why would God allow Satan to take away the blessings that He had given to Job?
The story is hard to understand and even harder to accept. God allowing His servant to be harmed.... just to satisfy Satan's desire to prove God wrong. Of course God knew the outcome from the beginning, so the end of the story was never in doubt. But still......?
Satan was given the ability to harm Job personally and he was stricken with sores from his head to his feet. He took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself to find relief from the suffering from the sores. I can only imagine the appearance of the once healthy, vibrant man, rewarded for his faithfulness, now sitting in ashes, scraping his open sores. He must have been feeling pretty low. Then his wife walks in and gives him the boost he needed. "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9)
I love his response. I wish for this kind of integrity in my life. "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (2:10) We are told that "in all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Trouble came, his children dead, his possessions gone and suffering in his body, yet Job remained faithful.
A dear friend of mine, T.R. Bryan (Doc) lost his fight with Leukemia last night. As I was reading our daily Bible assignment, I was struck by how much Doc reminds me of Job. He lived a blessed life and in return he blessed others. He loved his family and especially his Ruth with all his heart. He gave himself away to friends and loved ones alike. I heard it said of him that he was an old school doctor and I like that. He would get up in the middle of the night to care for a sick child. He lived his life with the candle burning at both ends. He squeezed every ounce out of each moment and gave back way more than he took.
I think he would have agreed with Job! "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" During my visits with him over the last four weeks, I was amazed at his wonderful attitude. He understood what he faced and faced it with integrity and honor. He was a doctor to the end, telling me about the disease and how it was affecting him and being very realistic about the outcome. He had tears in his eyes and so did I; he didn't want to leave and I didn't want to see him go. "In all this, he did not sin in his words."
He knew he had a home in a better place! He had spent his life preparing to go. "Doc" Bryan lived a life of faith and faced death the same way. Doc was a tremendous Bible student and knew exactly what the scriptures teach concerning death and eternal life.
"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
Doc has obtained the victory that each of longs for. Yes, surely we love life here with our loved ones, but as Christians our true home is with the Father in Heaven. Our hearts are torn between wanting those we love to be with us and understanding that they must go home. I am thankful for the many years of example, friendship, love, fun and teaching that Doc poured into my life. He changed all of us for the better and he will be missed. If you want to honor his life, live yours the same way he did.... love God, love your family, love your church and give yourselves away in His service. Peace.
The story is hard to understand and even harder to accept. God allowing His servant to be harmed.... just to satisfy Satan's desire to prove God wrong. Of course God knew the outcome from the beginning, so the end of the story was never in doubt. But still......?
Satan was given the ability to harm Job personally and he was stricken with sores from his head to his feet. He took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself to find relief from the suffering from the sores. I can only imagine the appearance of the once healthy, vibrant man, rewarded for his faithfulness, now sitting in ashes, scraping his open sores. He must have been feeling pretty low. Then his wife walks in and gives him the boost he needed. "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9)
I love his response. I wish for this kind of integrity in my life. "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (2:10) We are told that "in all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Trouble came, his children dead, his possessions gone and suffering in his body, yet Job remained faithful.
A dear friend of mine, T.R. Bryan (Doc) lost his fight with Leukemia last night. As I was reading our daily Bible assignment, I was struck by how much Doc reminds me of Job. He lived a blessed life and in return he blessed others. He loved his family and especially his Ruth with all his heart. He gave himself away to friends and loved ones alike. I heard it said of him that he was an old school doctor and I like that. He would get up in the middle of the night to care for a sick child. He lived his life with the candle burning at both ends. He squeezed every ounce out of each moment and gave back way more than he took.
I think he would have agreed with Job! "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" During my visits with him over the last four weeks, I was amazed at his wonderful attitude. He understood what he faced and faced it with integrity and honor. He was a doctor to the end, telling me about the disease and how it was affecting him and being very realistic about the outcome. He had tears in his eyes and so did I; he didn't want to leave and I didn't want to see him go. "In all this, he did not sin in his words."
He knew he had a home in a better place! He had spent his life preparing to go. "Doc" Bryan lived a life of faith and faced death the same way. Doc was a tremendous Bible student and knew exactly what the scriptures teach concerning death and eternal life.
"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)
Doc has obtained the victory that each of longs for. Yes, surely we love life here with our loved ones, but as Christians our true home is with the Father in Heaven. Our hearts are torn between wanting those we love to be with us and understanding that they must go home. I am thankful for the many years of example, friendship, love, fun and teaching that Doc poured into my life. He changed all of us for the better and he will be missed. If you want to honor his life, live yours the same way he did.... love God, love your family, love your church and give yourselves away in His service. Peace.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Human Pride
Daniel 4 provides us with interesting insight into God's view of human pride. Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and once again calls for Daniel to give the interpretation. In his dream was an enormous tree that was "large and strong and it's top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. It's leaves were beautiful, it;s fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in it's branches; from it every creature was fed." God declares from heaven that the tree is to be cut down, but the stump will remain.
Daniel tells the king that the tree represents him. That he has become "great and strong and that his greatness reaches the sky and his dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. Daniel tells him that he will be removed from power for a time and that for "seven times" he will be "eating grass" with cattle.He pleads with the king to renounce his sins and acknowledge that God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.
The king is given a year to repent and turn to God, but instead his pride prevents him from submitting to the God of the universe. He is walking on the roof of his palace, admiring his accomplishments, his mighty power and his majesty when God drops the ax. He is removed from power, is sent to the pasture and munches grass for "seven times".
The idea of "seven times" get lots of conversation. My personal belief is that the phrase is all about completeness. God is going to have him eating grass until the time is complete, until he is broken, until the king recognizes that God is God and he is not. However long that takes, God will have him on all fours. Nebuchadnezzar will come to his senses when he has had enough, when the right amount of time is complete.
We are no different! Sometimes we have to deal with our pride until we are broken. We might not be on all fours, munching grass; but we are on our knees before God. We realize that we are not in control and that He is. It might be financial loss. It might be a personal tragedy. It might be divorce. It might be the doctor saying the dreaded word.... cancer. Whatever it is, whenever it is; pride disappears and we humbly go before the God of creation and ask for His help.
When the time was complete, Nebuchadnezzer raised his eyes toward heaven and praised the Most High. He honored and glorified Him who lives forever. For him, it took a steady diet of pasture grasses to realize that it is God who is in control. Pride is ugly. I have seen it in me and I have seen it in others and it is ugly. When we elevate ourselves above others or even above our Father in heaven, our view of ourselves is distorted and we become arrogant. May we determine to stay humble.
We all know the verses....
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)
"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." (Proverbs 29:23)
"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." (Psalm 18:27)
Daniel tells the king that the tree represents him. That he has become "great and strong and that his greatness reaches the sky and his dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. Daniel tells him that he will be removed from power for a time and that for "seven times" he will be "eating grass" with cattle.He pleads with the king to renounce his sins and acknowledge that God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.
The king is given a year to repent and turn to God, but instead his pride prevents him from submitting to the God of the universe. He is walking on the roof of his palace, admiring his accomplishments, his mighty power and his majesty when God drops the ax. He is removed from power, is sent to the pasture and munches grass for "seven times".
The idea of "seven times" get lots of conversation. My personal belief is that the phrase is all about completeness. God is going to have him eating grass until the time is complete, until he is broken, until the king recognizes that God is God and he is not. However long that takes, God will have him on all fours. Nebuchadnezzar will come to his senses when he has had enough, when the right amount of time is complete.
We are no different! Sometimes we have to deal with our pride until we are broken. We might not be on all fours, munching grass; but we are on our knees before God. We realize that we are not in control and that He is. It might be financial loss. It might be a personal tragedy. It might be divorce. It might be the doctor saying the dreaded word.... cancer. Whatever it is, whenever it is; pride disappears and we humbly go before the God of creation and ask for His help.
When the time was complete, Nebuchadnezzer raised his eyes toward heaven and praised the Most High. He honored and glorified Him who lives forever. For him, it took a steady diet of pasture grasses to realize that it is God who is in control. Pride is ugly. I have seen it in me and I have seen it in others and it is ugly. When we elevate ourselves above others or even above our Father in heaven, our view of ourselves is distorted and we become arrogant. May we determine to stay humble.
We all know the verses....
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)
"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." (Proverbs 29:23)
"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." (Psalm 18:27)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
They Hear Your Words
(Ezekiel 33-36)
Today's reading jumped off the pages as Ezekiel begins to give prophecy about the restoration of Israel. I am sure that this was a sweet message to a captive people in foreign lands. In the midst of this message of hope for Israel is found a message for each of us as well. Surely we can hold onto the idea that on our worst days, God is there. When we have been taken captive by our desires in this world, God is there. We are never too far for His hand to reach us, to pull us from the stormy seas of personal failures. That is a message that we all need and can all relate to.
However, it is not all joy and celebration. God tells it like it is. He calls out the leaders for not caring for the people in Ezk. 34:1-10. He tells them that He will hold them accountable for His flock. Leaders have great responsibility and will be judged for their faithfulness to the body of Christ. He tells the individuals that they will be judged for their own conduct in Ezk. 34:17-19. Regardless of how the leaders acted, each person is still responsible for their own actions.
Then there are a few verses that really hit home with me....
"My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice."
(Ezk 33:31,32)
Sound familiar? The same things we struggle with, God's people thousands of years ago struggled with also. They came to hear a great message and great singing. They said the right things in the right way, but in the end it was all just a show. They weren't changed by the experience. The words did not affect their lives. They left no different than they arrived.
Did the preacher make me laugh? Did he keep my attention? Did we sing my favorite songs? Was the Powerpoint presentation entertaining? Did we go over our time limit? If we are not careful, we leave without taking anything with us. We hear God's word, but we do not make application. Two days later, we don't remember the subject. We don't put His words into practice and they don't become part of who we are.
Our time together is about God. We will enjoy it if our focus is on Him. We will complain if our focus is on us. That is human nature. May we make every effort to listen to His word and make changes needed in our lives. May we determine to assemble to offer worship to the One that is worthy of our praise. With the right attitude, every lesson will be awesome, every song a joy and every prayer will be uplifting. Just remember.... it is about Him!
Today's reading jumped off the pages as Ezekiel begins to give prophecy about the restoration of Israel. I am sure that this was a sweet message to a captive people in foreign lands. In the midst of this message of hope for Israel is found a message for each of us as well. Surely we can hold onto the idea that on our worst days, God is there. When we have been taken captive by our desires in this world, God is there. We are never too far for His hand to reach us, to pull us from the stormy seas of personal failures. That is a message that we all need and can all relate to.
However, it is not all joy and celebration. God tells it like it is. He calls out the leaders for not caring for the people in Ezk. 34:1-10. He tells them that He will hold them accountable for His flock. Leaders have great responsibility and will be judged for their faithfulness to the body of Christ. He tells the individuals that they will be judged for their own conduct in Ezk. 34:17-19. Regardless of how the leaders acted, each person is still responsible for their own actions.
Then there are a few verses that really hit home with me....
"My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice."
(Ezk 33:31,32)
Sound familiar? The same things we struggle with, God's people thousands of years ago struggled with also. They came to hear a great message and great singing. They said the right things in the right way, but in the end it was all just a show. They weren't changed by the experience. The words did not affect their lives. They left no different than they arrived.
Did the preacher make me laugh? Did he keep my attention? Did we sing my favorite songs? Was the Powerpoint presentation entertaining? Did we go over our time limit? If we are not careful, we leave without taking anything with us. We hear God's word, but we do not make application. Two days later, we don't remember the subject. We don't put His words into practice and they don't become part of who we are.
Our time together is about God. We will enjoy it if our focus is on Him. We will complain if our focus is on us. That is human nature. May we make every effort to listen to His word and make changes needed in our lives. May we determine to assemble to offer worship to the One that is worthy of our praise. With the right attitude, every lesson will be awesome, every song a joy and every prayer will be uplifting. Just remember.... it is about Him!
Monday, August 29, 2011
"Let Us Examine Our Ways"
Jerusalem lies in ruins, the Temple is destroyed, the nations treasures have been taken and it's people live in captivity. Words like destruction and desolation are used to describe the outcome of God's wrath against His people. They cast Him out of their lives and so He brought about their downfall to bring them back to their senses. (no need for commentary here, we understand the application)
The book of Lamentations is a difficult little book to read as it is filled with sorrow and desperation. It is difficult to imagine the total sense of abandonment that the Jews felt as Nebuchadnezzar sends his forces to destroy Jerusalem and remove it's treasures (people and possessions). They had lived under His protection for hundreds of years and took for granted that His protection would not be withdrawn. And so, when they are completely defeated, they find themselves "serving the slaves".
The verses that call out to me are found in Lamentations 3:40 -42.
"Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven, and say:
We have sinned and rebelled
and you have not forgiven."
In the day of our own destruction, when we choose to live our lives unto ourselves (and we will), how will we respond? When we find that we are captive to something or someone, what will we do? When our treasure is gone (people or possessions), how will we react? Until that day, it is probably not known how each of us will respond. I like to think that I will turn to God and ask for His forgiveness and restoration; that I will be on my knees confessing my brokenness and sorrow. I believe my faith is strong enough that I know where my strength comes from; but I have lived a very blessed and protected life.
I like the verses, I like the attitude. When we find ourselves off the path, we need to examine our ways, test them. Are we following Jesus or are we on some other trail? Have we lost sight of the One that leads? If so, we must return to His guidance, His path. When we find that we have gone our own way, the only way back is to turn to God in heaven and confess that we don't know the way. Tell Him that we have sinned and rebelled and lost our way. Pride says, "just keep going, you are smart, you know the way". Humility says, "I am lost on my own, I need Jesus to lead in my life".
May we determine to "examine our ways", to constantly check who or what is leading our lives! If we have strayed from The Path, may we decide to return to Jesus, confess our sins and abandon our pride. God is always there! Our rebellion does not move Him away from us, it moves us away from Him. Let us return to the path that is straight and narrow and follow the only One that knows the way home. God bless.
The book of Lamentations is a difficult little book to read as it is filled with sorrow and desperation. It is difficult to imagine the total sense of abandonment that the Jews felt as Nebuchadnezzar sends his forces to destroy Jerusalem and remove it's treasures (people and possessions). They had lived under His protection for hundreds of years and took for granted that His protection would not be withdrawn. And so, when they are completely defeated, they find themselves "serving the slaves".
The verses that call out to me are found in Lamentations 3:40 -42.
"Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.
Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven, and say:
We have sinned and rebelled
and you have not forgiven."
In the day of our own destruction, when we choose to live our lives unto ourselves (and we will), how will we respond? When we find that we are captive to something or someone, what will we do? When our treasure is gone (people or possessions), how will we react? Until that day, it is probably not known how each of us will respond. I like to think that I will turn to God and ask for His forgiveness and restoration; that I will be on my knees confessing my brokenness and sorrow. I believe my faith is strong enough that I know where my strength comes from; but I have lived a very blessed and protected life.
I like the verses, I like the attitude. When we find ourselves off the path, we need to examine our ways, test them. Are we following Jesus or are we on some other trail? Have we lost sight of the One that leads? If so, we must return to His guidance, His path. When we find that we have gone our own way, the only way back is to turn to God in heaven and confess that we don't know the way. Tell Him that we have sinned and rebelled and lost our way. Pride says, "just keep going, you are smart, you know the way". Humility says, "I am lost on my own, I need Jesus to lead in my life".
May we determine to "examine our ways", to constantly check who or what is leading our lives! If we have strayed from The Path, may we decide to return to Jesus, confess our sins and abandon our pride. God is always there! Our rebellion does not move Him away from us, it moves us away from Him. Let us return to the path that is straight and narrow and follow the only One that knows the way home. God bless.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Promise of Restoration
(Ezekiel 8-11)
Ezekiel is in Tel Abib and he is God's man to deliver His message to His people in exile. He has been told to "eat" the scrolls of God's words and tell the people exactly what is contained in them. He is promised protection as he is sure that the people will harm him for his prophecies.
This section of scripture contains a vision given to Ezekiel in which the city of Jerusalem is basically laid waste. It's inhabitants are killed for their unfaithfulness and worship of idols. He is taken to the temple and witnesses the worship of idols in God's home. God is angry and deals with his people harshly. "Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them." (Ezk 8:18) Death will come. Difficulty will come. Leaders will be punished. God tells them that they "have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you." Judgement comes in response to their unfaithfulness.
If that was the end of the story, it would be a sad ending. But God has a plan for restoration, He always has and still has to this day. The exiles will return with changed hearts to live in Israel once again. They will have an "undivided heart" and a "new spirit in them". God will remove from them "hearts of stone" and replace it with "hearts of flesh". They will "keep His laws" and "follow His decrees". He will be "their God" and they will be "His people".
Good news? Good news! Same story, different time. Separated from God, we are "without hope and without God in the world". (Eph 2:22, please read entire verse) Just like those unfaithful Jews, we are destined for destruction and just like them, God has a plan for our restoration. That plan is found only in His son, Jesus. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Eph 2:23) If our story ended with our being excluded from God's people, that would be a sad ending.
Thankfully, there is a promise of restoration for each of us, but we must repent of our sins, accept the atoning sacrifice of the Christ on our behalf, confess His name publicly and be immersed in water to receive the cleansing found in His blood. When we do that, God takes out our heart of stone and replaces it with one of flesh. When we do that, God puts a new spirit within us. And then we follow His decrees and His laws. Then He is our God and we are His people. (read all of Acts 2 and 22, Romans 6 and Col 2)
Great news? Great news!! If you would like to study this further, I am always available, just send my a comment on my blog and let's talk.
Ezekiel is in Tel Abib and he is God's man to deliver His message to His people in exile. He has been told to "eat" the scrolls of God's words and tell the people exactly what is contained in them. He is promised protection as he is sure that the people will harm him for his prophecies.
This section of scripture contains a vision given to Ezekiel in which the city of Jerusalem is basically laid waste. It's inhabitants are killed for their unfaithfulness and worship of idols. He is taken to the temple and witnesses the worship of idols in God's home. God is angry and deals with his people harshly. "Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them." (Ezk 8:18) Death will come. Difficulty will come. Leaders will be punished. God tells them that they "have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you." Judgement comes in response to their unfaithfulness.
If that was the end of the story, it would be a sad ending. But God has a plan for restoration, He always has and still has to this day. The exiles will return with changed hearts to live in Israel once again. They will have an "undivided heart" and a "new spirit in them". God will remove from them "hearts of stone" and replace it with "hearts of flesh". They will "keep His laws" and "follow His decrees". He will be "their God" and they will be "His people".
Good news? Good news! Same story, different time. Separated from God, we are "without hope and without God in the world". (Eph 2:22, please read entire verse) Just like those unfaithful Jews, we are destined for destruction and just like them, God has a plan for our restoration. That plan is found only in His son, Jesus. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (Eph 2:23) If our story ended with our being excluded from God's people, that would be a sad ending.
Thankfully, there is a promise of restoration for each of us, but we must repent of our sins, accept the atoning sacrifice of the Christ on our behalf, confess His name publicly and be immersed in water to receive the cleansing found in His blood. When we do that, God takes out our heart of stone and replaces it with one of flesh. When we do that, God puts a new spirit within us. And then we follow His decrees and His laws. Then He is our God and we are His people. (read all of Acts 2 and 22, Romans 6 and Col 2)
Great news? Great news!! If you would like to study this further, I am always available, just send my a comment on my blog and let's talk.
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