“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18-19.
Christmas Greetings, Sonsofthesea family! Kendra, Stephanie, and I wish you and your family abundant blessings today—and the whole week through. Soon the New Year will be upon us with its offerings of renewed hope, growth, and the opportunity to walk more closely with our Lord. With that, we’re praying even now; you begin to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting as to what it is He desires from you in this new season. What is God asking you to release, making room then to receive the “new thing” He’s chosen to bring into your life? Will you allow the Good Gardner to prune away those areas in your life that drain your focus and strength, making your branches healthier, more fruitful? We here at Sonsofthesea are locking arms with you, believing for God’s very best to manifest in and through you in this new season. But for today, from our hearts and homes to yours, “O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”
“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” –2 Corinthians 6:1-2.
Paul is referencing the Prophet Isaiah here. More accurately, Isaiah is sharing with us what God has shared with Him directly concerning a future time and Ruler that will be born to His people, to Israel. Isaiah 49:8 is a love note from God, to us. It’s God pointing us towards the coming of His Son, Jesus, towards salvation and grace. Some say God is talking through Jesus, to Isaiah, pointing Him towards His acceptable time, His season of good-will, toward His virgin birth that will usher in God’s New Covenant. One that will be sealed by the Spotless Blood of this same One written about but yet to be born. “Thus said the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you: and I will preserve you, and give you for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;” –Isaiah 49:8.
This Ruler and time would first be announced to the lowly, to a virgin village girl who would soon be overshadowed by His Holy Spirit. Followed then, by those lowly shepherds guarding the Temple flock the very night that same girl gives birth to God’s Son, Jesus. Had there never been a cradle, there would never have been The Cross. Jesus was born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem to one day die in our place. But before that, before He dies, He will grow up and challenge the status quo. He will touch and change and revolutionize our understanding of what it means to love God absolutely—and our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus was born, in part, to be our errorless guide, our unswerving Teacher—flawlessly demonstrating what it means to be a genuine co-laborer with the Father. To be the only man born of a woman worthy of taking upon Himself the sins of the whole world. This Godman. That tiny Babe wrapped in swaddling milk rags man’s only way back into right relationship with the Father. An unorthodox telling of the Christmas story for sure, yet True, nonetheless.
Long before the angel appeared to Mary, God had conferred upon man the unfathomable privilege of co-laboring with Him—of being His emissary. “And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” –Genesis 2:19. Even before God’s Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary or that moment, a specific one of His stars pierced the clear night sky while certain shepherds tended their flocks or wise men in a distant land poured over their charts and maps in search of Him. God had chosen us, you and me, Paul, Isaiah, and Mary and Joseph, each to be His. The recipients of His magnificent gift of salvation, of His utterly amazing grace. Paul is admonishing the Church in Corinth never to forget this. We would be wise to take heed as well! To not receive God’s grace in vain. Be it our undeserved saving grace or the daily graces afforded us moment-by-moment that enable us to “live and move and have our being.” Instead, Paul is encouraging us all to follow his example of wringing out the very last drop of this grace afforded him, afforded us daily, in service to His God. He is also reminding us that we are, after all, God’s ambassadors here on earth. Our loyal service the King’s rightful due then. Those shepherds tending their prized Temple sheep, sheep having been set aside solely to be sacrificed for Israel, for its atonement, did precisely that. They lavishly spent every cent of the grace afforded them in service to their newly born Messiah.
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel’” –Matthew 2: 6.
Scripture tells us that no sooner than this preternatural star-emblazoned their otherwise ordinary night sky, an angel appears to them and, “the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them,” informing them that their long-awaited Messiah had just been born. Scripture goes on to tell us that they were terrified! Yet, despite their fear—their awe-struck-ness, they were off to find this Holy Babe. And, once they had seen Him, Scripture tells us they told everyone they came across about Him—about the extra-ordinary events of this very holy night. “And those who heard were astonished.” Grace had been afforded these shepherds. And they spent it all in service to the Babe they found lying in a manger. These were wise servants, indeed. We would do well to model our faith-walk after theirs. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” –Luke 2:10-12.
It is said that on the evening of December 21, 2020, centuries since the last time what is being hailed as the “Christmas Star,” in 1226, to be precise, the observable conjuncture of the planets Jupiter and Saturn will, some say, light up the night sky. Whether this same conjuncture of planets or a similar one is what the shepherds saw, I’m not qualified to comment on. Yet this I am confident in saying: whatever this celestial event may be, whatever it may end up being labeled as, one thing is sure, this celestial event is no mere coincidence. Those like myself, patiently waiting for our Redeemer to return, have our eyes locked on the horizon, always looking up. We are eagerly awaiting the return of the One born in that manger some 2000 plus years ago. And, yet, while we look and while we wait—we work. Just as Paul instructs us, more, like Jesus commanded us. And we share, too.
We tell of His coming and of the wonders of knowing Him—of serving Him. We speak of His great Love. He is Love personified, after all. We tell of His amazing grace and mercy, of His sweetness, His tenderness. We speak of His correction and reshaping. His great love for us will not allow us to remain wherever He may have found us. We share that He will soon return and how no one can see Him—go with Him unless they are His unless they have a relationship with Him. Like those shepherds before us, those first evangelists, as my dear friend Sam Cordeiro just referred to them in His most recent sermon, we speak as they did, of what we know—have tasted for ourselves. This Christmas season ought to be about more than presents and lights and spending. It ought to be about receiving His great love for you, into your heart, new or newly. Receiving this One, we see asleep in the manger, Christ the Lord. The Savior of mankind. God’s New Covenant.
If you know Him, brothers, and sisters, then please, don’t squander the grace He’s afforded you. And friend, if you have yet to meet Mary’s Son, our Jesus, I encourage you, no, I plead with you to ask Him to show Himself to you this day. I would so look forward to meeting you one day and hearing our Father tell you, “well done, good and faithful servant!“ “Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom” –Matthew 26:27-28.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” –Luke 2:9-11.
I’ve been going for a lot of long nature walks lately. Not even because I’m super reflective, not because I have an affinity for nature, no. It’s much simpler than that, it’s because I have a dog. Yes, you read that right; my dog is the reason I go for long nature walks. Bear with me here as I tell you a bit about my fur baby. I have a golden retriever named Daisy, and boy is she energetic! Simple neighborhood walks don’t do it for her any longer, not like they did when she was a pup. She requires the cool of the earth beneath her paws now, she wants the scent of crisp autumn leaves, actually, more like whatever’s lurking beneath them. She wants the sight of the forest with its beams of sunlight and the sound of squirrels rustling about, birds chirping, up in the trees somewhere, she wants to lick the dew off of the fallen foliage. To say she loves the woods is an understatement—she is elated when she’s in them! When I say the words, “wanna go for a walk?” she comes to life. She bolts towards the door, ready to run, head-on into a new adventure. Over the past couple of months, as Daisy and I have trekked various New England trails, my dog has taught me to love creation. It’s because of her that I’ve been reminded nature was created for me to enjoy as well. Daisy stops and smells the flowers. She investigates every twig that appears suspicious. She picks up on any trace of any other creature who may have gone before her. She is so present in every moment. Locked in discovery mode, she traces every sight and scent—familiarizing herself for next time. Her desire for discovery got me thinking: “what if we lived in wide-eyed wonder as Daisy does? Awestruck by all the beauty that surrounds us? What if the earth, formed by the hands of our Maker and designed for us to thrive in, elicited the same awe-struck response in us as it does in Daisy?
Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as an AWEsome God. I think that says something about the lens through which He wants us to view Him…
By definition, awe is an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc. It is produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like. Knowing the Creator of the universe invokes just such an awe inside of us. It awakens some deep knowing that fulfills our every need for belonging. I mean, it was the voice of God, after all, who spoke the stars into existence and gave the earth its form; He who, with just one Word, spoke light into existence. And it was this same God who allocated a place in the ecosystem for every living being. Everything that has breath sends that same breath right back to Him, in praise. His hands the very ones that formed humankind, the crown jewel of His creations. And it was His breath blown into the lungs of that first man that gave him life—us too. Yes. From the very beginning of time, God’s watchful eye has been on us. If I stopped right here, what I just said should be enough to ignite a great big spark of awe in you. But alas! There’s more…
The bond between God and man was broken by Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden—their sin separating them from Him. But God set out to—had a plan to, restore what they had broken! Considering the Christmas season that is upon us, I thought it appropriate to look at the response of mankind to the arrival of God in the flesh, in the person of His Son, Jesus. In Luke 2, we find the story of Jesus’ birth. But before I get there, I need to remind us- Jesus chose to come into this world in the most unlikely way, and to the most unlikely of people. Ordinary people like me and you. Jesus did not come with a heavenly army, nor to a kingdom as we know it. He came through Mary, a humble servant. And He chose to be born in a simple stable, in a very unlikely town. In Luke 2 we learn that the very first people to be told of His birth were lowly shepherds. What got me when I read Luke 2 was the shepherd’s response. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” –Luke 2:9-11; 16. They were terrified—a response to being awed. Yet despite this, after they were reassured by the angel, they were moved to action. That overwhelming awe didn’t paralyze them. It moved them. First, to go and see, then, secondly, to go and tell!
When you have a genuine encounter with the Living God, something magnificent happens within you. That encounter causes you to act because of what you’ve just experienced for yourself! Understand, this kind of supernatural reaction doesn’t just impact you, the one who has the initial experience, it has an eternal chain-link effect that connects you somehow to countless others. Luke 2 goes on to tell us that, “all who heard it were amazed by what the shepherds said to them” –Luke 2:18. All who heard. Those shepherds couldn’t keep quiet about their awesome experience with the angel of the Lord. They told anyone who would listen to them all about Jesus, His star, and His birth—about their divine encounter with Him. They shared all that the angel had spoken to them and everything they had witnessed with their own two eyes. They could have chosen to write the angel off as some dream-like apparition, yet they chose instead to unapologetically stand by what they knew to be true.
I can call to mind some experiences I’ve had where I may have dulled down the story to make it seem a bit more “normal”. But the truth is, the supernatural things of God are anything but normal. There’s a reason they’re called “super-natural”. They defy earthly definition. And when we share these supernatural things God has done in our life with others, it causes amazement to well up in them.
Let’s look, for a moment, at the wise men. Fun fact: The Bible doesn’t say how many wise men there actually were. We know from Scripture that there were three gifts, but there very well could have been a caravan of people traveling to behold the Savior of the world! Regardless, these wise men, or “Magi” as they’re referred to in Matthew 2, were highly esteemed and well-educated men. Yet these same men came and bowed humbly before a baby they believed to be the Messiah. They saw a star in the heavens, a sign, and they followed it. They did not worship this sign mind you, they simply allowed it to lead them to their Creator. With this in mind: I pray we are never too old or too prideful to recognize and respond to the move of God—no matter how undignified doing so may seem. Like the Magi who knelt before a baby, I pray we have the humility to adore Him in every situation we may find ourselves in. Secondly, I pray we don’t look at signs as gods, rather that we allow them to lead us to the One True God—the source of all wisdom and life.
From the moment He was born, Jesus evoked an unadulterated passion from His own—from all those who recognized Him as their Messiah. I have the feeling that all the emotion tucked into the Christmas story may have been placed there to help us to return to a childlike state of simple joy and admiration for the Babe in the manger.
As Jesus grew into His ministry, He healed many and spoke with such wisdom it shocked those who heard Him speak. The Samaritan woman, the lepers, the blind men, the lame, each received His gift of healing and love. Then, telling everyone they knew what they had experienced, most of them responded just as the shepherds did—in wonder and amazement. Part of the beauty of this story is that we get see Jesus amaze people all around the world, still. Whether it be restoring hope to the hopeless, bringing healing to the afflicted and broken, or bestowing a sense of belonging to someone who is lost. Jesus is still working today—right here, right now. He still displays signs and wonders around us every day. We just need to open our eyes, our hearts, to both see and to receive them.
If my dog can live in the moment, soaking in the awe and wonder of God’s endless goodness, His abundant provision, and splendor, I’m thinking we ought to be able to as well. Wouldn’t you agree? This Christmas season, my prayer for you is that you might find the “extra” in ordinary things. Most of all, I pray that you discover the hope found only in Jesus Christ. I pray His joy fills you beyond measure! I pray you begin to live in a state of wonder and awe, flat out amazed by all that God has done, is doing, and is yet to do!
And if you’ve never asked this God of awe and wonder into your heart—what better time than now! Give your life to Jesus today let it be your gift to Him in return for all that He has given you, starting with your very breath. He has allowed all this time to pass just so that you’d read this, and then ask Him into your heart as Lord. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” –2 Peter 3:8-9.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]—From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth” –Psalm 121:1-2.
This wasn’t the message I had intended to post today, yet it is God’s message for you; not that what I had written originally wasn’t intended for you, it was. My timing in sharing it was off, however. And timing matters greatly to God. Hence, this post in place of that one. I had planned to share a different message entirely. To point you in faith’s direction. Towards Father Abraham, and a gentile harlot named Rahab—but that will have to wait for some future date. This is God’s Word—humbly, I’ve been allowed to convey what it is He wants saying. So, for today, we’ll be talking about our Father. Let’s focus our attention then, on the head of the table—towards the seat of honor and authority—the host’s seat. The place where Dad sits. Where the first portion of every good thing brought to the table is served up.
It’s Saturday. The turkey is little more than a carcass by now—if there’s any leftover at all. The bowls of delicious sides are probably gone too. The pies and guests vanished. The platters, dishes, and pots, long washed and put away. The good china tucked safely away in the sideboard until next time. The host’s chair at the head of the table pushed back under it now, along with the rest of the chairs. Thanksgiving is over. That red number day on our wall calendars a memory now, stored away until another layer of memories is added to it next year. Should the Lord tarry.
But for you, dear Christian, though the red numbered day on your wall calendar is over, and all your favorite goodies are gone now. I pray your heart of thanksgiving burns as brightly today, tomorrow, next month, with thanks and praise to our God, as it did this past Thursday? As I stated earlier, the Lord caused me to momentarily look away from Abraham and Rahab—redirecting us instead to the Book of Psalms. Towards those 150 songs packed full—well, most of them at least, with praise and thanksgiving to Him—extolling His attributes. In psalm after psalm, we are directed, or redirected somehow, towards God—towards giving Him thanks and praise. No doubt why He has directed us here today. Yet far too often, sadly, we need reminding of just how magnificent He is. And so, throughout the Book of Psalms then, we are reminded of just who our God is. How Wonder-full. Reminded of His goodness and mercy and kindness. His faithfulness and long-suffering. Of the unfathomable depths of God’s unplumbed love for us.
Our giving thanks then, should be as natural as breathing for us. His Holy Spirit in us bringing back to our frail, forgetful flesh, in those moments and hours when we do forget, somehow, that it is this very same God of the Psalms who stood over the blank canvas of a yet created world and, with the power of His Word, filled it with His creations—everything we know and experience today. Just listen to the proofs offered us in the opening verses of Psalm 19: “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands. Day after day pours forth speech, And night after night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars]. Their voice is not heard. Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth, Their words to the end of the world. In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun…”
And, because of this—this inescapable evidence of God’s existence, power, His majesty that so plainly surrounds every man, not one of us can use the excuse that we did not know God was real when we stand before Him. We can’t. It’s been removed by God from our endless list of excuses. It’s no longer usable when we’re faced with the proof of His very real realness—both day, and night! “O Lord, our Lord, How majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth! You have displayed Your splendor above the heavens”–Psalm 8:1.
But why look to the head of the table? And what do the psalms and seating arrangements have to do with each other?
Customarily, it is the host—the head of the household, who sits at the head of the table. They take on the responsibility of ensuring that everyone who has been invited to join in the festivities has everything they need. And, while we’re talking about those who’ve been invited, it’s also the host who does the inviting as well. The host has also tended to the preparations. Planning for and providing everything needed to make each guest feel welcomed and well cared for. It is also the host who usually serves those who have been invited to their table. Any of this sounding familiar to you yet? If not, allow me to give you some clues as to where this is going. In sticking with the Psalms, let’s look at the opening verse of the 23rd Psalm—a clear giveaway. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Need more still? Then let’s head over to Revelation 19: 6-9 then. “Then I heard again what sounded like the shouting of a huge crowd, or like the waves of a hundred oceans crashing on the shore, or like the mighty rolling of great thunder, “Praise the Lord. For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him; for the time has come for the wedding banquet of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She is permitted to wear the cleanest and whitest and finest of linens.” (Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.) And the angel dictated this sentence to me: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “God himself has stated this.”
Friends, it is the Lord who has been given this seat of honor at the table of our hearts—and rightly so. He alone gave and continues to freely give, to us. We come owing Him everything—unto our very lives if need be. Everything we have a gift from Him—He owes us not one thing, and yet He gave the world His absolute best—His Son, Jesus. And He continues to invite us, daily, to partner with Him. Sharing with the whole world then, the Good News of this Jesus that He gave, and that we know and love. Love because He first loved us. And we partner with Him solely because He chose us, creating us to do so long before He knit us together in our mother’s womb. This God, our Lord, The King of kings who, when dinner was over, long after the preparing and serving and giving was done, donned a towel and washed the feet of those He had invited to His table. Then, He got up, and, after being brutally tortured, picked up His Cross and went willingly to die in our place. And we should forget to thank Him after the turkey is gone? God forbid! I pray not my brothers and sisters. Let us instead enter His courts daily, hourly, minute by every precious minute we’re afforded, with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts, flowing freely from our lips! “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness and delight; Come before His presence with joyful singing. Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations” –Psalm 100
Friend, I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. But know this, God wants your thanksgiving, daily. You were created to praise God. But how can you praise someone you don’t yet know and love? Start by asking Jesus into your heart. He’ll gladly accept your invitation if you’ll sincerely extend it.“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened “ –Matthew 7:7-8.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and perseveres” –1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Loving anyone according to God’s pattern of love can be challenging. God’s command to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves” categorically challenges how many in this world understand love.
Assuredly, friends, 2020 has been a year of unprecedented changes. A season of ground-breaking exposures and truths revealed. Of a virus that forced us all behind masks—literally changing the face of everything. So, in a world that is so plainly and rapidly changing culturally, a world that claims inclusion while often unashamedly offering up selective pockets of exclusion, is it any wonder we hear this term “cancel-culture” used? Cancel culture by definition says: withdraw public support from public figures, companies, even from friends, colleagues, and family members who allegedly perpetuate or engage in what it deems as problematic behaviors. A hot topic for sure but please, hear me out. While at first glance this system of beliefs may sound reasonable, offering a measure of accountability to others even, it also sows seeds of deliberate division in our country. Claiming in part that anyone who holds a perspective or to ideals or beliefs contrary to those this voice of counter-cultural deems acceptable is often mocked, ridiculed—no longer welcomed at their table. Other factors dividing our nation today have been our idolizing political parties or their candidates, our collective pride, and overall unfriendliness –among believers and unbelievers alike.
It remains a challenge for many Christians today to not become distracted by the world’s constantly clanging cymbals of current events, and its 24-hour news cycles. Yet despite all the clamoring, as believers, we must hold tight to the very bedrock of what is fixed and unchanging – the inerrant Truth found in God’s Word. Even amid what feels like a never-ending cultural storm. The bedrock of God’s Word is where our firm foundation lays—so, if we have drifted from that place, we must repent and return. Returning our attention and devotion to God, to our bibles, rather than blankly fixing our gaze on our television set. Rededicating our attention and time back to sitting at the Lord’s feet, not mindlessly scrolling through social media. We must be willing to ask ourselves, and each other, the challenging questions:
“How is Jesus Christ being glorified in my every conversation?”
“How are we as Christians demonstrating our faith to a world that is both watching and listening to most everything we say and do?”
“What is God revealing to us in this season? What is our role as believers in what He is revealing? And how can we best be His hands and feet—partnering with Him to bring healing to another?”
“What areas of our lives, my life specifically, require sincere repentance, humility, and prayer?”
Saying all of this then, how do we as Christians respond to the many contentious voices of counterculture? To being shut down, or shut out when our voice or beliefs, our morals, those things we hold dear can’t possibly subscribe to this “new norm” this culture’s agenda?
Our response as Christians must be love—always love. The driving force behind Jesus’s every action was love, not loathing—never just canceling another out. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is part of what sets us apart as followers of Jesus. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”–Matthew 22: 37-40. Scripture assures me that it is only God’s incredible love that can heal hearts of stone, turning them then into hearts of flesh! Scripture also reminds me that, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” –1 John 4:18. And, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” –1 Peter 4:8.
One of my loudest and most challenging prayer points this season has been, Jesus, teach me, show me how to love like you, even if I don’t feel like it. That’s my raw and honest prayer. I realized my need to pray this way after a few disagreements with loved ones over the issue of counterculture. If I’m being transparent here, I realized I was not modeling the love of Christ with my words nor my actions. Amid intense arguments, I would say hurtful things to the other person out of spite, for fear of losing the argument. I engaged in conversations crossly, not with the intent of being understood, rather, to be right. I remember times when I held on to a grudge to the point where forgiveness felt impossible—times I did not want to persevere in a difficult relationship. Then I was “drop to my knees” humbled. When I expected God’s anger—instead, I received mercy and grace. I received forgiveness, the very forgiveness I needed to extend to others. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” – Matthew 6:14. God’s love is kind, it does not dishonor others, it is not easily angered, and it isn’t proud. It is not self-seeking; it perseveres and rejoices with the truth.
So, what does the pure love of God look like within a culture that is often hostile towards God—His commands? That often lends its nod of approval towards the spirit of division or fear or exclusion?
As Christians, we must always be Light in the world. We must be imitators of Jesus. Period. Offering respect—even when we differ. This is the culture we need to foster, encouraging and welcoming “whosoever will” to join in. Remember friends, Jesus welcomed Judas to the table being fully aware of his impending betrayal—who are we to not be willing to extend this same love to those who simply disagree with us? Our conversations then must be laced with understanding, yet we must never compromise biblical accuracy for the sake of cultural relevancy. We as Christians ought not to participate, nor endorse, anything that cancels out another—God alone is every man’s just Judge. He alone determines another’s fate, not us. Remember, it is by God’s Sovereign grace and His election of you alone that you have a relationship with Jesus—and I for one praise God for that! “If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” -John 15:19.
So, in these unprecedented and trying times, as believers, let’s work to bring about unity by sharing God’s love—knowing fully His love heals, redeems, and casts out all fear. Fear and anxiety of the future are at an all-time high, yet as followers of Jesus Christ, we have the blessed assurance, the peace that comes from knowing that the Lord is living in us. What a perfect reason to encourage peace and hope through our sharing and modeling the gospel of Jesus Christ for, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” –Galatians 3:28.
Brothers and sisters, we hold good news for the world— a world that so desperately needs God’s love. My prayer is that you fix your heart, mind, and soul on Jesus—not on those clanging cymbals of ever-changing cultural norms. Leave them to God. That you, Christian, if you have strayed, return to the feet of Jesus with repentance, a pure heart, and a desire to obtain Christ’s perspective on all that is happening around us. And, most importantly, if you don’t yet know Jesus Christ – I pray that you seek Him today. Asking Him to come into your heart—into your life. He loves you unconditionally, and He is the only remedy needed to heal your hurting heart.
Here we are in November 2020, suspended in thin air hoping for release, at any moment. The joy of freely gathering with our beloved friends and family, the privilege of returning to work, the gift of peace of mind. It appears time has decided to just stop without a care in the world about its effects on our human experience. Yet as I sit here asking God how I can share a spark of hope, I am reminded of all the times that God has met me with supernatural strength to fight my way through the muddy seasons of life. I’m not talking about physically, but more so mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It feels reminiscent of the story of Gideon. It’s one of great courage and redemption which seems like a timely message for this moment.
God tends to catch us off guard by finding us right in the place of obscurity where we thought we were invisible. Let me give you a tiny snippet of Gideon’s situation before we dive into the good stuff.
When we find Gideon in Judges 6, Israel (God’s chosen people) had been under the oppression of Midian for 7 years after they had “done evil in the sight of God”. At this point, much of Israel had adopted the pagan gods of their oppressors. In this case that god was Baal. Now, let’s meet the man of the hour. While Gideon is thought to be one of the greatest judges of the Old Testament, his valor did not come naturally. At our introduction to Gideon, we find that he was timid (although I’d say timid is an understatement). He was NOT the kind of guy I’d pick to lead me into battle. We meet him while he was threshing wheat in secret. Threshing is the process by which the edible portion of wheat (the kernel) is separated from the stalk, a laborious task that I can’t imagine was very subtle. But in this case, he was literally preparing his food in secret out of fear of his oppressors. He feared they would steal the bounty of his demanding work. Yet it is in this secret place that the Bible tells us, “When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” —Judges 6:12.
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior?
Those words echo so loudly in the caverns of my soul. Perhaps that’s because I’ve found myself in a fearful place where hearing the words “mighty warrior” would have been too overwhelming to bear. I don’t know that I would have believed anyone who would call me a “mighty warrior”. Honestly, I’m not 100% convinced that Gideon bought it either. But I don’t think the angel of the Lord cared whether Gideon believed it, because the angel was speaking to who he knew Gideon was created to be, not to who Gideon thought he was. See, our perceptions of ourselves don’t always reflect God’s intentions for our purpose. He sees the warrior in you long before you can ever even think you’re capable of being strong.
The first thing we learn in this story is that although he was insecure and filled with doubt, God STILL chose Gideon. Instead of being confident in this identity, he came back with skepticism, listing reasons the angel was wrong according to what Gideon could see, God wasn’t doing signs and wonders anymore; God had abandoned them—and his clan was the weakest of all the clans, and, he’s the weakest in his family. These are all declarations devoid of hope. Yet, when hope is all but gone, God can restore your purpose in a moment! The response was remarkable. The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6: 14;16. God’s responses are always brilliant. He speaks to the root of the problem and not just the symptoms. Gideon is giving all these excuses as to 1) why God is absent and 2) why he’s not qualified, but it’s almost as if the Lord said, “yeah, and?” In a lot of ways, He does the same with us. Just stick with Him and He will lead you out of the hands of your oppressor! Whether that oppressor is someone, something, or even anxiety, depression, or insecurity. He is faithful to lead you into victory.
The next thing we see about Gideon is how fearful he was. This angel had just given him a divine revelation of who he was, but Gideon was skeptical; he needed proof. So, the angel gave him a sign that he was from the Lord, and then Gideon was *kind of* comfortable following his lead. The first thing the Lord commands Gideon to do is to tear down the altar to Baal. Now, instead of making a scene in broad daylight, Gideon is terrified. He agreed, but he did it at night when no one could see. Let’s stop here and observe something. How often do we get caught up trying to make ourselves good enough to live for God or even do something as simple as going to church? Right here, in this humble story, we learn something about God the Father, He’s not afraid of your fear. Gideon was afraid, but he obeyed while afraid. God knows our fear, but he’s looking for our obedience. He alone will give us the courage to obey His Word in the face of our greatest fears!
Are you getting the gist of Gideon’s personality yet? I hope so!
Let’s fast forward a bit. Now, Gideon is getting used to fearful obedience (which ultimately turns him into that mighty warrior God knew he was). God leads Gideon to fight a battle with Midian (remember, these were the oppressors). Now, the Midianites were a large army; the Israelites were not. But that’s JUST how God wanted it. In fact, as small as the Israelite army was, God wanted it smaller still. God’s power shines brightest in the face of the impossible. So, Gideon chose 300 of the most unlikely men to be in his army, and off they went to war.
Now, if you’ve made it this far, here’s where I REALLY want you to pay attention!
Gideon and his three hundred men exhausted, yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. –Judges 8:4. The text makes it clear these warriors were exhausted. But they KEPT. ON. FIGHTING. How many times have you been so exhausted and wanted to throw in the towel? I for one have oft found myself too tired to keep moving forward, maintaining joy amid crisis, keeping faith when I felt incredibly let down, finding hope when it felt like I was drowning. I’m sure you can relate in some way? But be of good courage, because if you walk with God, He promises to be with you! He will give you strength. He’ll give you what it takes to keep up the pursuit! Victory is often just around the bend, yet how often we miss it because we quit too soon. Keep fighting. Keep moving. God is on your side!
You may find yourself in the same place Gideon was—just living your life when bam! your all of a sudden moment comes, and you get that sense that there must be more to life than this. We can be doing the most normal thing when God moves us to action, and it’s up to us whether to respond with obedience or complacency. As we think about this time we are living in, may I remind you that God has created you and me for such a time as this, to surrender to Him, be His righteous ones, live with the kind of obedience that “does it afraid”, and fight until the battle your in is won. I know these are trying times, but remember, God’s power shines brightest in the face of the impossible. “His power is made perfect in your weakness” 2 Cor 12:9.
Are you afraid, tired, hopeless, doubtful, lonely, anxious? God sees you. He knows your short-comings, yet He still calls you by name- the name HE gave you. It’s up to you to respond. With God by your side, victory is yours! I invite you to turn to Jesus, repent of anything in your life that may not be pleasing to Him, and ask Him to walk with you, giving you courage and strength to live to your fullest potential.
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” –John 16:7.
It is beyond most of us to understand fully why God would ask us to give something up. Especially when we don’t understand the reason why. When we don’t see the benefit or purpose in letting it go—of taking our hands off that—relationship, beloved friend, that job or home, city, or state we love. Deeper still, in being asked to give up some part of ourselves—a child or spouse, a beloved mentor, some long-standing belief, things we’ve come to love, rely upon, trust in, or appreciate about ourselves or others. Now, if you have any knowledge of who God is, His character, you may have already picked up on what is amiss with some of what I’ve just said? Go ahead, go back and reread it. Did you catch it? The “things we have come to love, rely upon, trust in, appreciate about ourselves or others” part?
Allow me to clarify.
In no way am I saying that we should not love people—that would be a deliberate contradiction to the great commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” –Matthew 22:37-40.
Neither am I saying that we should not enjoy our professions or homes, those relationships we have been blessed with, invested our love, time, and care into. Rather, what I am saying is this: Nothing, no thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Not our spouses, not our children or parents, job, or ministry, not where we live nor any-thing we have been allowed to have or use. Truth be told, most of us are still learning how to apply this Truth to our lives—I know I am. I’m much better at holding on than I am at letting go. And because of this, I am so very thankful that God is patient and merciful with me. He knows the weakness of my frame yet loves me still. I am thankful that He lends me His strength for the heavy lifting!
As I read and studied in preparation for this teaching, it became even more clear to me that we must be willing to continually position our hearts before God. Making room for, readying ourselves, for the ongoing refinement that takes place within them. Allowing all, any of those things that sully us still, to be removed, put away—that we might reflect more purely the One that has called us to Himself. After all, isn’t that a great part of the “why” God allows things to be taken? To refine us. I believe we are being asked to say yes to God, now, more than ever—before we even know or understand just what it is we are saying yes to. Out of love for Him—our deep-seated, abiding need for Him—in trust, we must say yes. Out of a profound desire to rid ourselves, our lives, of anything and anyone that we know God is putting His finger on, saying: Trust me on this, this person, this ministry, this home, job, relationship, this thought process, heart posture, this way your living, this expression, belief or ideal has outgrown its season—you must let go of it now. Left unattended, it will become a distraction that will blind you to where God is leading you next—and, possibly, to who. More, it is rebellion against God. It is saying you know better than He what’s best for you. “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’” –Isaiah 45:9.
On our journey with the Lord, we must come to understand those things given to us by God must remain fluid in our hands. Seldom, outside of Christ Himself and the sure promises found in Him are His greatest gifts ever unchanging. This lesson, in part, is what Jesus was imparting to His disciples—to us, in today’s scripture.
They had eaten with Him, walked, talked, laughed, and cried with Him—slept by the fire beside Him. They were fed by His every Word, refreshed in His abiding love and compassion, His mercy. They were emboldened by His justice! They had witnessed miracles in His presence. The dead brought back to life, the blind given their sight, thousands were fed with 5 loaves and 2 small fish. Treacherous storms had been stilled, and the deepest of Truths were revealed with Words spoken so plainly, so frankly, that even the least of them within earshot were able to understand—and marvel. This band of brothers, these disciples, each heard Jesus calling them with such clarity and certainty, that, at His slightest behest, they left everyone and everything behind—and followed Him. Yet now, these few years later, after having done that, after having experienced all that they had by His side, after having become enmeshed with this Jesus in this most indescribable bond of oneness, this deepest mystery of love and loyalty this true “until death we do part” commitment—Jesus says He’s leaving them.
Stop and feel that for a minute before you read on.
Wait, what! Why? Why would you do this to us!! What have we done to deserve this betrayal? No way… No, you simply can’t leave us, not now! NO! NO! You simply can’t go. Not now! Things are just getting started! How will you restore the Kingdom if you leave us now? Why Jesus!
If you’re listening with your heart, you can hear their dazed, gutted cries. I can only imagine the thoughts whipping around in their heads—perhaps even spilling out of their mouths? For anyone who has ever suffered such a soul-crushing loss, who has ever stood in frozen disbelief, in utter powerlessness as you watched the center of your world go away, surely you have some small idea, some slight glimpse into what these men felt after hearing this news fall flat from the very lips of God Himself? These same lips that had smiled at them and called them His friends—His beloved. At that moment they had no idea of the profound love and purpose behind His leaving, His removing Himself from their physical presence—all they knew was this thick, deep grief. They didn’t know Golgotha’s Cross lay just around the bend—the birth of His Church either, they couldn’t get past the fact that He was leaving them. He was taking something they loved away from them.
And it’s no different from us, is it? When we’re told we must let go—give up something or someone—some-place or station in life, our health or husband, wife, or child—our parents or home.
Even after all the time they’d spent with Him, they still had no idea of who it was they had been doing life with these past three-plus years—not really. Truth is, neither do we. The enormity of God is unfathomable. He is so much more, so much bigger, and finer and far more Holy, Righteous, and far-seeing than a mere man can ever take in. Psalm 145:3 says it this way: “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” His friends weren’t thinking about the fact that He stood over the dark void—seeing their beginning from their end. Seeing His plan unfolding from its end to its beginning. Knowing what is needed—and what isn’t, each step of the way. In each season and individual life—all at once. For as much as we believe we have come to know Him, there are whole worlds, universes chuck full of these deep mysteries pointing us towards just how much we don’t yet know, can’t know—at least not now, about this God we love. How can a spirit encased in this limited flesh fully take in the unplumed, boundless love of God? One who willingly offered Himself in our place that we might be afforded a way back to Him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” –John 3:16.
We were not created to hang onto anything given us by God, save Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. God takes away what we perceive to be good that we may grow in our dependence in Him, and in the realization that He alone is good. —Barnes. Beloved, nothing. No—thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Won’t you posture your heart today—your very life, that He might refine you? Purify you as precious gold. Won’t you trust in Him when He asks you to return—let go of your understanding of what you think is best, in exchange for more of Him and His will for your life? “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” –Luke 6: 46-49.
Friend, if you do not know this Jesus who died to ensure that you might be restored into a right relationship with God, then know this. This same God has led you here today that you might know His great love for you and accept the absolute best He has to offer me and you–His Only Son, Jesus. Won’t you accept His best by asking Him into your heart right now as your Lord and Savior? You’re not here by chance…
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth”
Some may find it odd that God would speak of new beginnings amid His farewell address to His disciples. Why speak to them of some future hello in the middle of His saying goodbye? In part, Scripture points us toward the “new thing” on its way. A return to the upper room and all that would soon be birthed from it was awaiting them—they simply couldn’t see it yet. Be that as it may, Jesus assured them that He would not abandon them, leaving them like some poor orphans. Instead, He’d leave a blessing behind—He’d send the unfathomable gift of His Holy Spirit to them, to encourage, empower, and, to lead them into all Truth. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” –John 14:18. God knows the weakness of our frames, knows just how easily we lose hope—even as we’re standing in His very presence at times, hope may ebbing out of us. Peter understood this better than most the very second, he felt himself sinking. He had taken his eyes off Jesus, looking instead at the swirling, raging sea around him—but I digress. God is always re-directing us towards a new thing. I say re-directing because being the dumb, stubborn sheep we are at times, we stray off course far more often than we ought and must be put right. Pointed, yet again, towards what lay just ahead—just over that next horizon, around that next corner, just beyond our seeing—not behind us or backward mind, lest it’s part of God’s plan for our edification. God is forever speaking to us of new beginnings, new hope for our future—at the Cross, in birthing rooms, gardens and graveyards, or anywhere in-between. Today was no different in that respect. Jesus was about to re-direct His confused and heartbroken friends that they might soon be fully prepared to partner with Him in the birthing of His Church. They’re pain and confusion used as a springboard then, to propel them into this new Way. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” –John 14:16.
Save God, nothing and no one on earth remain with us forever. Life is a million little lessons of letting go —of holding loosely to what God has allowed our hands to touch at all.
Just about everyone loves Spring. We look forward to the promises it holds. Its new-ness. Green buds, life, color, and the scent of the not-so-distant summer teasing the air. Spring is like a fresh coat of paint over last year’s lackluster walls—everything seemingly made new again. We all love the sound of hello, its promise, and the hope that simple little word offers us —goodbyes, not so much. Yet they are necessary at times to make room for what’s about to come. That’s the crux of what Jesus was sharing with His friends concerning their need to experience this necessary ending. We must always remain obedient and open, no matter how painful, to receiving God’s best for our lives, marriages, ministry, careers, friendships, etc.—even when His best is born from some painful ending we wanted no part of. To do otherwise is saying we know what’s best for us—not God—making ourselves gods. And Scripture is clear about what becomes of the one who thinks too highly of himself. “Pride ends in humiliation” –Proverbs 29:23. From Genesis to Revelation, we witness necessary endings—fresh spaces being made for some new plan of Gods to take root in. Every-thing alive is cyclical—bringing with it new life, hope, provision, protection—springing forth from what appears to be dead and gone. Parents die and children are born. A leaf buds and falls to the ground only to return in the next season fresh and new. Joseph’s brothers fully understood this the day they stood before Him. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute…” –Genesis 45:8-11.
And Ruth may never have fully taken in the plan behind all the necessary endings she had endured while in Moab, the loss of her husband and friends, her childlessness, and Orpah’s choosing to stay behind—nevertheless, God redeemed every drop of her pain and loss. Though Ruth would have no idea that both King David and King Jesus were future descendants born from her God-ordained union with her kinsman-redeemer Boaz, still, God was faithful to give Ruth beauty for ashes, nevertheless. Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people,“Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown. Today you are witnesses!” –Ruth 4:9-10.
It is not for us to always understand the why of God, rather, we’re simply to obey whatever it is He asks of us.
But back to Jesus and His broken-hearted disciples. Jesus had just washed their feet in this same upper room He’d soon send their Comforter to. The same room we witness them partaking in their very first Communion—and their very last Supper—here on earth that is. Flesh and Blood would soon be offered up that night that they may possess Spirit and Truth and wisdom, discernment and revelation, eternal life too—power from on High as well. How else could His Church withstand the barrage of attacks it was and will endure at satans hand? No mere man or group of men, no matter how loyal, could ever defend His Church alone—only the One who has been charged to stand guard over it is able to fully protect it. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way” –2 Thessalonians 2:7.
We each are temporary stalwarts chosen to stand our post for the few brief minutes that is our life. We are chosen makers, gatekeepers who do not leave their post until their relief shows up—and it always shows up, remember, every-thing in life is cyclical. Forty days, the time Jesus spent being tempted and prepared in the desert for His ministry. Forty days after He defied death by walking out of His grave, Jesus said goodbye to His disciples—yet His goodbye was pregnant with hello’s promise. And, soon and very soon, we will reap the joyful reward of this necessary endings “new beginning”—when Jesus returns! It had been ordained for Him to leave the world that He might return to it in such a way that all men will see Him coming on the clouds—and we’ll be with Him, those once broken-hearted disciples of His too! So, friends, don’t hang on to what God is asking you to let go of. Remember, all life is cyclical, and God has a beautiful plan for the necessary ending He’s allowed to touch your life—even those you wanted no part of.
Friend, if you have yet to meet this Jesus, now is the time—today is the day. We never know when a moment may pass us by, never to return. Please, don’t let this be that moment. Scripture assures you that if you’ll simply and sincerely ask Jesus to come into your life, He will. Won’t you ask Him now? “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” –Romans 10:8-10.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” –Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Because it is limited in its own essence. No tree has unbounded potentialities; though it live for centuries it will grow itself out, exhaust all its latent force. Not so with the soul. It has unending powers of growth. Because it is limited in its supplies the river at its roots may dry up; the nutriment in its soil it may exhaust. Not so with the soul; its roots strike into the inexhaustible fountain of life. Its leaf shall be green, — ever green. –Joseph S. Excell
To fully take in the rich imagery and deep spiritual inferences Jeremiah places before his readers in verses seven and eight, that ‘ever-fruitful tree planted by the stream’ mentioned above, we must go back and read verses five and six so that we might bear witness to another, this tree’s “ever-green” opposite—the barren, stunted, prickly heath. A dusty, fruitless thing fit only for wastelands and arid places. Side by side now, we can rightly assess them. And, as it with these two exemplars, so too is it with every man; thus a choice lay before us all. One, wholly reliant on God, desperate for want of Him. The other, stiff-necked, and self-reliant, stubborn, and resistant, it turns to anyone but God for sustenance, making gods then, of created things. This is what the Lord says:“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives” –Jeremiah 17:5-6.
The Bible tells us that God “so loved the world He gave us His only Son”—yes, even to these rebellious ones determined to go their own way, no one is excluded. God provides for all His creation. Yet some are willfully barren, while others are joyfully well watered. Some choosing to live in their stiff-necked, empty self-reliance, just as Judah did, the spigot of their hearts rusted over now to God’s will, to His love and tenderest of mercies. They were unwilling, their choice made, they will not receive the Living water needed to thrive and flourish. These simply refuse to join the man who will not live anywhere other than beside this Life-giving stream. Instead, they drink in the fierce, fiery judgment they have brought down upon their own heads, shaking their fist at God all the while, as if they had no part to play in their own calamity. As well might bees try to get honey from a vase of wax flowers as we to draw what we need from creatures, from ourselves, from visible and material things? Where else will you get love that will never fail nor change nor die? Where else will you find an object for the intellect that will yield inexhaustible material of contemplation and delight? Where else infallible direction for the will? Where else shall weakness find unfailing strength, or sorrow adequate consolation, or hope certain fulfillment, or fear a safe hiding place if not in Christ alone, that Living water for our souls. –Alexander Maclaren, D. D.
“They will not see prosperity when it comes.” This ‘heath’ cannot receive, his will, like his heart, sealed shut to those things—those countless blessings that come from the merciful, bountiful, hand of the Lord. His eyes fixed instead on his own abilities and accomplishments, on self, on another’s—any others, input, or assessments of his self-worth. He does not need to acknowledge God for his everyday blessings, he is far too busy chasing after the gods of this world to waste his valuable time. Money, lust, more and stiller, and stiller. Judah was his teacher and he’s become an exemplary student. Hence, determined in his sin and hard-heartedness, he loses out on those blessings God had intended him. “The LORD says, “People of Judah, your sin is written with an iron pen; it is engraved on your hearts with a diamond point and carved on the corners of your altars” –Jeremiah 17:1. He seeks ‘things’ only, never their Creator. He has chosen to go his own way. He is root-less. Disconnected. Parched. Withered and brittle. A tumbleweed of a person tossed first here, then there, never at rest, never satisfied with his lot. This an example of one devoid of connection to the Source of Life-giving Water—the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus describes such a one as being able to do nothing of lasting or eternal value. “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.…” –John 15:4-6.
By comparison, the other “does not fear when heat comes…” Why? Because he has been blessed to have fostered an everlasting connection to his Living Source. Conversely, the doors of his heart flung open, his entrance swept clean, wide, and welcoming. The teeniest of his root-hairs pining after more and more of this Living water—unquenchable. His very song one of wanting. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” –Psalm 42:1. This one’s everything, each blessing: from his very breath to his undeserved forgiveness he acknowledges having come solely from his Creators loving hand. He is filled with a wave of peace not his own, content to take his rest on this dewy bank he’s been planted on. He seeks no riches for himself, nothing silver or gold might buy; his worth found in God alone, this ever-fecund tree. And so, he sings: “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day, their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever” –Psalm 146:1-6.
You, I, the poorest and humblest of men, will never be right, never feel in native soil, with appropriate surroundings, until we have laid our hearts and our hands on the breast of God, and rested ourselves on Him. Not more surely do gills and fins proclaim that the creature that has them is meant to roam through the boundless ocean, nor the anatomy and wings of the bird witness more surely to its destination to soar in the open heavens, than the make of your spirits testify that God, none less or lower, is your portion. –Alexander Maclaren
Friends, Jeremiah’s words assure us of two things: The promises God has made to those that are His: that we need not fear amid the fiercest of circumstances, the most trying, leanest, most arid of times—the depth of our Source cannot be plumbed. We are firmly planted in Him—by Him, our roots running deep and straight into our inexhaustible Source. Therefore, we shall not fear the drought, our leaves will never wither nor grow dry. Our strength found in worshipping our God. We possess this Life-giving Water the world knows nothing of—more, we are wholly possessed by It—by Jesus. Conversely then, you can trust in mere flesh, but you cannot have it both ways. To turn toward something other than the Lord is to turn away from the Lord. We can’t face both directions at the same time. And don’t be fooled dear friend, God will not be mocked! The man who chooses his own wayhas chosen to be planted in poisonous soil—nothing fecund or prosperous can ever be found in him. His the salty place where the heath grows—those whose shallow roots have difficulty reaching deep enough to drink from the Life-giving water just beyond their reach.
We each must choose. You’ve been made aware now, there’s a difference—God, in His infinite love for you, would not leave you unawares, uninformed, without a witness. Whom will you serve then? God or man? There is no middle ground, friend—no ‘other’ choice. I’m praying you chose wisely. I’m praying you chose the Lord and all that He’s had planned for your life since before the foundation of the world. I’m praying this Word to take deep root in your soul, and that it shoots forth tendrils that will affix you to Him, always.
Friend, if you don’t know this Jesus, I pray you to call out to Him today. Ask Him to come into your heart as Lord and Savior. Here is His promise to you if you will: “The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail” –Isaiah 58:11.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” –1 Peter 2:9.
The header to this passage is titled: “The Living Stone and a Chosen People” and something to single out, purely from fascination, is that the author of this epistle, Peter (Greek) or Cephas (Aramaic), was renamed by Jesus Christ—his name both meaning “stone” or “rock” (John 1:42). Right out the gate, Peter points to his intended audience, to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout (1 Peter 1). For background and setting, under the governance of Emperor Nero, a great fire broke out in Rome destroying much of the city. The fire’s rage lasted approximately three days destroying homes, many of Rome’s religious elements, and ultimately devastating the Roman culture. Many died and those that survived the fire were left homeless, resentful, and hopeless. Emperor Nero’s scapegoat to blame for the fire were the Christians, who were already hated for their association with Jews, their growing influence, and their hostility towards the Roman culture. As Nero spread the word of this, with the pretext that Christians were the cause of the fire, vicious Christian persecution escalated, causing many to spread throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1). The apostle Peter penned this epistle to his intended audience, suffering Christians, to provide them with spiritual strengthening. Throughout Peter’s letter, he outlines several things.
To scattered, persecuted Christians, Peter exhorts steadfastness in the face of persecution and holy, virtuous conduct before unbelievers. He gives special importance to the body of believers in that they’ve been purified through acceptance of God’s truth and that they are God’s chosen or elect people, a comforting reminder to persecuted Christians. In this letter, Peter is reminding Christians that there is purpose in suffering for righteousness with the knowledge of their future victory and heavenly inheritance. Moreover, perseverance and unremoved joy, amid trials, is what God expects from His people and is the revealer of the genuineness of a believer’s faith. Christians have Jesus Christ as the model for how to respond when the world rejects and persecutes them. Peter’s counsel to the body of Christ then, remains applicable for Christians today and we ought to be refreshed by the revelation of what it means to be “God’s elect” as Peter penned in this opening letter.
It is a wonderful, astonishing revelation to be called God’s special possession, royal, chosen and consecrated for God’s unique purpose(s) – in that we “may declare the praises of our God who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light” –1 Peter 2:10. Peter calls out the distinguishing marks of God’s people that separate us from the world (1 Peter 2:9-12).
Believers are a Chosen People:
Peter calls believers a chosen people. In the King James Version, the term peculiar is used instead—a “peculiar people” and, in 1 Peter 2:9, the original Greek meaning for peculiar describes someone or something as being private property. It can also mean exclusivity, belonging solely to a particular person. Today, one can interpret Peter’s verse to mean that believers are odd, peculiar people, however, we should consider this verse as referring to believers as those belonging to God; we are His special possessions. In the Old Testament, Israel was mentioned and described as a nation chosen by God (see Exodus 19:5-6, Isaiah 43:20-21, Deuteronomy 4:20; 7:6; 14:2). I love that Peter uses Old Testament terminology to describe the people of Israel and then applies that same connection to all believers. Just as Israel is God’s chosen people, the church stands as God’s chosen people too, a new branch grafted in. We must consider that we are chosen not because we are elevated higher in comparison to others, rather we are considered chosen solely because of God’s unmerited favor: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” –Ephesians 1:4-6. God does not choose people based on their giftedness, talents, or intelligence even. That said, regardless of our giftings, what unites all those chosen by God is that awesome responsibility of adhering to His instructions, being a light in this world, holding steadfast to God’s promises, and modeling to this world the fruitfulness that comes from following God (Exodus 19:5-6). To be chosen by God is not only a privilege given us via His incredible grace, but it’s also a blessing to be used when partnered with His Holy Spirit to help convey His glory. It remains astonishing to me that God chooses to partner with us!
As believers, we are connected to the cornerstone, Christ—chosen by God to receive his salvation. When Peter wrote this, Christians were being persecuted. Peter reminds them that they are a chosen people. In today’s climate, persecution (hostility, ill-treatment, violence) towards Christians exists in various forms too, and so what Peter reminded the persecuted Christians in AD 60-67 should serve as both a refresher and reminder to all Christians today as well. Just as Jesus Christ was “rejected by humans but chosen by God” (1 Peter 2:4), you also have to bear in mind that when man rejects you, it’s God who’s chosen you! We are in this world, but not of this world. History has proven that suffering is not new to the Christian who chooses God’s kingdom over culture – but take heart! God has already overcome the world and your citizenship is in heaven! And another marker that distinguishes the people of God is that they are a royal priesthood—a holy nation.
Believers are a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation…
Peter calls believers a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Once again, Peter uses Old Testament terminology to describe Israel’s priests, applying it now to all believers. In the Old Testament, the priesthood had the sole privilege of offering the sacrifice and approaching God in the temple. The priests were the only ones that could enter the Holy of Holies (a special room where God’s sacred presence dwelled) but thanks be to God, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we no longer have that blockade—that veil that separated us from God, removed now in Jesus’s obedience to the Father. Instead, we can go boldly now before the Father. We have accessibility to His presence, and, as royal priests, we are united with Christ! Romans 8:17 states that “we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” – we are therefore set apart for Christ in this world. As a royal priesthood, we have been entrusted with the same authority as Christ gave his disciples (Matthew 28:18). As priests, we can intercede in prayer on behalf of others and we fight spiritually, armored, to trample against the strongholds of the enemy (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 6). Also, Peter refers to us Christians as a holy nation, “holy” meaning set apart – as God’s special possessions! “…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” –1 Peter 2:9.
Friends, whatever difficulties you may face in carrying out your faith in Jesus Christ, hold fast to Peter’s encouragement that we are a chosen people, we are God’s special possession and are called royalty. And while the world may reject us, God has elected us to play a vital role on earth for His kingdom and to declare His praises! You may ask yourself, “why was I chosen?” God chose you because of His great love for you because He desires to have a relationship with you, and, He chooses to reveal to you God’s unique purpose(s) designed specifically for you. While we co-exist with others that may not have a relationship with the Lord, we must remind ourselves that we are called to be set apart in that we’ve died to ourselves and have chosen Kingdom over culture, even if persecution, mockery, political outlaw or humiliation awaits us. God’s love is profound in part, in that it allows us, His creation, to either obey His commandments or to follow our fleshly desires and human reasoning. I love that God gives us this choice more, I hope and pray that you’ll use it to choose Him—your affirmative response then, your yes to Jesus, ensuring you too will be a part of His royal priesthood, the chosen that will share in the first resurrection and reign with Christ in God’s holy kingdom (Revelation 17:14, 20:4-6).
We are a team of Christian Authors and Teachers dedicated to sharing the Innerant Word of God with those hungry to receive Biblical Truth. Follow us as we follow Christ at Sonsofthesea.org
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