Exodus 33: 18-23 Please Show Me Your Glory

 Exodus 33:18-23 NASB  Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me Your glory!"  (19)  And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion."  (20)  But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"  (21)  Then the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock;  (22)  and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.  (23)  "Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen."

God.  Have you contemplated Him?  Thought deeply about how He looks, how being with Him in close proximity would affect you?  There are so many things about God that stretch our minds and exceed our ability to comprehend.  Though we're made in His likeness, we're so distant in our current state from our creator's glory.

Moses was called by God to lead.  Though reluctant, in  obediece he did lead.  He heard from  God and followed His instruction through the wilderness as they escaped Egypt and transitioned to the promised land.  In the wilderness God called Moses to the top of Mt Sinai to literally lay down the law.  God talked with Moses but hid Himself in a cloud.  As it turns out this was for Moses' own good.  Eventhought Moses was selected specially for the job he was not able to be too close.  After spending a long time (at least 40 days and nights) on the mountain hearing from God all the ways he should instruct the people, Moses made his bold request.  "Please show me your glory" Exo 33:18.

I think Moses expressed a desire many of us have.  Simply said, it is to "Know" God in a greater way than we do at a particular point in time.  Typically (for me anyway) this is in seasons of closeness.  That is, times when I'm intentionally focused on the Lord, His Word, my obedience to Him.  I'm easily distracted and I'm betting I'm not alone.  But in these times I do want to know God in a deeper way and on its face I think that's what Moses wanted to.  So he asked.

And God didn't reject his request but at the same time He didn't give Moses all he had requested for his own good.  "You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live".  What?  Our God who wants us to come to Him then says, but only so close because you'll die?  Yep!  Without going through the whole story, Moses like the rest of us decendents of Adam have within us the stain of sin.  That taints us and makes all of us unable to stand in the presence of the Glory of God.  We would die just as God says Moses would die.  More on that in a minute.

So, God does honor the request but with the appropriate limitations and safeguards necessary to keep Moses safe.  He puts Moses in the cleft of a rock shielded to a degree.  He passes by but puts His hand over Moses location to guard him from seeing too much.  Then as He passes He removes His had to allow Moses a glimpse of His back.  In so doing Moses was afforded a special but partial encounter with God.

As a result Moses literally glowed.  "Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him." Exo 34:29b  That guarded exposure to God made Moses skin glow.

So God gave Moses answer to his request not in full but in part according to what was best.  He does that for us too because He simply knows better.  We're instructed to pray according to His will, but we are limited in our ability and on our best day fall short.

The bigger issue is what can be done about this separation problem.  Why is it neither we nor Moses can stand it his full glory?  How can we connect with God when being fully in his presence would kill us?  Out of mercy, the largest fathomable expression of His grace He sent us His son Jesus.  Jesus cleared the path for us to come fully into God's presence.  He paid the price for us.  We who believe that to be true accepting this grace gift are seen not of Adam's lineage but that of Jesus.  And we will one day see God in his full glory in heaven.  AMEN!

Romans 5:6-10 Personally, for Me!

Romans 5:6-10 ESV  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  (7)  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— (8)  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (9)  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  (10)  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Having been a church goer all of my life the story of Easter and particularly the work of Christ on the cross paying the price for my sin (see Romans 6:23) has been engrained thoroughly.  Even as a young child the fact that Jesus died for my sin was centric to my belief.  It would be years later that my understanding deepened.

To say this another way, I was aware and understanding of what was actually accomplished.  Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, me included.  The conditions of accessing this benefit were derived completely on acceptance by faith that it was true.  I did, of course but found that I lumped myself in with the rest of "The whole world" and in that sense seemed to be just a small part of what Jesus did.

It was not until later in life and while studying the Word that a deeper and more significant understanding came my way.  It was more significant in a personal way that is.  I don't remember the exact date or time or whether this was in a group study, a Sunday School class or during my own study that this gem of my faith entered my consciousness.

It is articulated in Scripture in 1 John 2:2 which reads, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." 

Well, there it is - do you see it?

It ends with where my faith had been seated all those years.  Jesus was the propitiation of our sins; He atoned for our transgressions reconciling us to God which had been impossible while still in our sin.

But I had missed the first part.  

The sentence construction is this:  What was done for me, was done for the whole world.  Do you see it now?  Jesus did this thing for me and he also did it for the whole world.  For me!  It was done personally for me.  By inference he would have done the very same had I been the only one!  That's what finally hit me.  My salvation, my reconciliation to Holy God through the work of Jesus Christ, His suffering which he chose to take on my behalf was done personally for me.

Friday we will remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us on the cross; what he did personally for me.

It was done personally for you too!  AMEN

Genesis 3:14-19 Understand the Curse to Understand the Cross

Genesis 3:14-19 ESV  The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.  (15)  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."  (16)  To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."  (17)  And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  (18)  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  (19)  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

It is all over the news.  In fact, you can hardly find an escape.  It is indeed everywhere and now they’re telling us it was here before we knew it was here.  They have us quarantined at home aside from essential trips to find groceries and such.  Why?  The coronavirus outbreak referred to as COVID-19.  This pandemic has certainly got our attention as it wreaks havoc across the globe with hundreds of thousands expected to lose their lives.  This, while the best scientists in the most advanced institutions in the world wrestle to gain the upper hand.

On this Good Friday when we remember the day of Christ’s crucifixion it brings us to the obvious question of why?  Why did Christ have to die on the cross and why is this coronavirus doing its best to kill us?

The answer is found in the passage referenced today referred to as, “The Curse”.  This act of God cursing his own creation was the result of the fall of Man.  Please review the passages preceding where the perfection of the garden was infected by the temptation of the serpent (Satan) resulting in the sin (something less than holy) of Adam and Eve.  That willful disobedience of the first man stained his kind.  That’s you and me.  We now have the nature of sin within us because of what Adam did.  And with that comes our inheritance of the curse.

In fact, the world from that point forward is living under the curse.  The curse of creation has actually been at work attacking through the ages and having a greater and greater effect.  A review of the patriarchs reveal a steady decline in the age to which they live.  Methuselah lived 969 years the oldest recorded living man.  But all of these early men lived for hundreds of years many more than 500.  As the curse persisted so did the decline in the age to which a normal man would live.

Only with the introduction of modern science, our deeper understanding of the pathogens of the curse have we been able to push back.  But are we pushing back successfully?  I mean real success.  Not just incremental improvement.  I would say, no.  Median lifespan is now in the high seventies approaching eighty.  That’s a far cry from 969.  And by the way, that life span of nearly 1000 years was not God’s design.  Man was created to be an eternal being.  Death was introduced with the curse.  None of us were ever supposed to die – full stop!

But with the curse came death and all the means toward death including yes, the coronavirus and this present COVID-19.  It is the result of the curse and it will be defeated by the scientists and our own immune system which God too created.

So what is the tie to this day; Good Friday?

Well, why would it be called “Good” when such a terrible thing happened?  How is the crucifixion of Christ “Good”?

Frankly, it was the only way.  In fact, it was the very purpose of Christ’s coming to this earth in the form of Man living in this cursed creation but doing so perfectly.  Living a sin free life.  That set him up to be the perfect sacrifice.  Not for himself, a sinless man requires no sacrifice.  Just go ahead, live a perfect life and find out.  Ooops, no you cant.  It’s not possible since you come from Adam and were born into the lineage of sin. 

So on this day some 2000 years ago the perfect was sacrificed for the imperfect.  His act of giving himself up on the cross as a holy sacrifice enables the restoration of mankind.  A reconciliation of the cursed back into the presence of a holy God.  His act breaks the curse.

But, whoa, hold on, you said that happened 2000 years ago.  Why do we have a pandemic today?

Well, that is simple to answer but hard to understand.  The simple answer is that God is merciful and full of grace.  You see the impact of the act of Christ on the cross is dependent on our faith.  We must believe what Christ did and believe He did it for us.  In order to do that, some of the generations prior to Christ looked forward to the cross anticipating the Messiah.  There are numerous examples of faithful people believing the promise of a deliverer and that faith being reckoned as righteousness.  Since the cross we look back with the same faith.  God’s grace has provided the time for this message to reach us.  In fact, He is providing time for all to hear and respond to this good news.

So what?  All this blather about reconciliation and sin and etc. etc.  Why does this all matter?  People are sick and dying.

Yep!  They are and they will continue to.  The coronavirus COVID-19 is a blessing in one simple way.  It has our attention.  It has brought the stark reality of life and death literally to our front door.  There is no escape from the cursed world in which we live.  That is, no escape other than through Christ.  Even then, we will all still die.  Well, except those who are still here when Christ comes to bring us home.  But that’s a story for another day.

For today, take a moment to reflect on the cross.  The sacrifice made for you.  Make the decision that this gift of grace is indeed for you and accept it.  You can do that right there where you are.  Just talk to God – in your head or out loud.  He’ll hear you.

And with me and the other Christians around the world anticipate with great joy the celebration of Easter on Sunday when we celebrate the victory of Christ as he conquered death and rose from the tomb.  Like Christ, we who believe will rise and join Him to live forever as originally intended.

The Curse is Broken!  AMEN

Mark 15:12-15 Pilate's Really Bad Day

Mark 15:12-15 NASB “Answering again, Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"  (13)  They shouted back, "Crucify Him!"  (14)  But Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify Him!"  (15) Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”

Men, have you ever been in that “No Win” situation?  You know, when your wife says something like, “Do you like this dress”? Or “Does this outfit make me look fat”?  What are you supposed to say about that?  Any answer may be the wrong answer and – you’re in T R O U B L E.  No win here.

Just maybe that is the situation Pilate found himself in after Jesus came on the scene in Jerusalem so many years ago.  The trumped up charges the chief priests accused Jesus of which they had no authority to enforce were dumped on him, Pilate. 

Who was Pilate?

"The pagan historian Tacitus (Ann. 15:44) writes: "Christ, while Tiberius was emperor, was capitally executed by the procurator Pontius Pilate." The procurator was generally a Roman knight, acting under the governor of a province as collector of the revenue, and judge in cases arising under it. But Pontius Pilate had full military and judicial authority in Juda, as being a small province attached to the larger Syria; he was responsible to the governor of Syria. Archelaus having been deposed (A.D. 6), Subinus, Coponius, Ambivius, Rufus, Valerius Gratus, and Pontius Pilate successively were governors (Josephus, Ant. 18:2, section 2)."

So, all that to say – Pilate (Pontius Pilate) was large and in charge.  He was the ultimate decision maker appointed by the Roman Emperor – Tiberius.  It was this Pilate that the Jewish leaders turned Jesus over to for punishment.

Pilate had been witness to the throngs of people cheering Jesus just days before as he rode in to town.  This man’s reputation was large and the last thing Pilate needed was some insurrection stirred up because he upset the populace.  It didn’t help th
at these Jewish leaders were so adamant about the desired outcome for this man Jesus.

Pilate had to be very uncomfortable as he begins asking questions.  Mark 15:2 NASB  “Pilate questioned Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ And He *answered him, ‘It is as you say.’"

Pilate makes no judgment but, Mark 15:3 NASB “The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly.”

Mark 15:4-5 NASB “Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, "Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!"  (5) But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.”

Amazed – indeed

We are not given what additional accusations were presented here nor the specific questions Pilate asked but we know this – Jesus was done answering pointless questions.

Pointless?  Yes, there was no point in giving truth to a bunch who had no interest in hearing the answer but were simply using questions to make a point of their own.  To trump up charges before Pilate.

“Jesus made no further answer” and because of that, “Pilate was amazed.”

What to do – what to do thinks Pilate.  I don’t want a riot.  These Jewish leaders are ticked but I don’t see anything in this man Jesus that warrants punishment.

Then it hits him.  Once a year we release one of the condemned at the request of the people.  I can implement that loophole right here – right now for Jesus.

So he puts it to the people giving them the choice to release a known murderer or Jesus.  He had to be thinking – these people that welcomed Jesus with such enthusiasm will surely ask for his release NOT the murderer Barabbas.  WRONG – the crowd having been riled up by the chief priests asked for Barabbas’ freedom and when asked – said, “Crucify him” regarding Jesus.

CRUD!  Now what do I do?

Mark 15:14 NASB  “But Pilate said to them, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify Him!’”

Well that was unexpected but I have my way out – the people want this even though he is innocent so far as I can see.

I’ll disown the whole thing Pilate says to himself.

Matthew 27:24  “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.’"

With that – Pilate was done.

The question I have for you is whether Pilate’s no win situation and the solution he finally came to a valid one.  Did he effectively wash is hands of the whole thing?  Was he truly guiltless in the crucifixion of Jesus?

I think the washing of the hands is illustrative.  In fact, the washing of hands was a known and practiced ceremonial cleansing that the Jews would have recognized.

Pilate in so doing was claiming his own innocence in the forthcoming brutality and death of Jesus.  But could he do that?

Can we, hover over a basin of water, wash our hands ceremonially and proclaim our innocence?  NO!!!

Pilate could no more cleanse himself from this sin than can we.  Ironically, the death Jesus was about to endure at the hands of Pilate was the only way that Pilate could possibly have been made clean.  It is the only way this terrible sin could have been wiped away.

It is the only way ANY sin can be removed.  The death of Jesus, His sacrifice is the only washing that could have removed his guilt.  That death, some two thousand years ago is the only way any of us can be cleaned.

We don’t know the fate of Pilate.  We know some Romans even some Roman leaders came to know Jesus and his work of salvation accepting it for themselves.  Maybe he did.  Most likely he didn’t.

What is your choice?  Belief in what Jesus did as a cleansing of the blood on your hands or not?  AMEN!

John 3:3-8 My Birthday Remix

John 3:3-8 NASB  “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus *said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  ‘Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  ‘The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

So yesterday was my birthday.  Many of my Face Book friends made me feel very happy and loved by expressing their well wishes on this date which rolls around annually.  For the record I reached the speed limit.  We’ll not discuss which one.  It is nice that the social media tool reminds our friends to reach out and give a thoughtful sentiment to those of us celebrating these milestones of life.

Ah, but I have two birthdays so don't put away the cake too soon. 

In Jesus' day there was a Pharisee, one of the Jewish leaders who came to see Jesus to talk about spiritual things.  Nicodemus was his name and we know he was listening favorably to what Jesus was sharing because he proclaimed, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." John 3:2.  But – He was also confused.  And I’m afraid what Jesus had to share with him during their conversation would perhaps confuse him a bit more.

You see, Jesus flat out said Nicodemus needed to be “Born again” John 3:5 in order to see the kingdom of God.  Thinking in the terms of this world that is way out there and Nicodemus responded accordingly.  "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" John 3:4.  From his perspective, he just couldn’t make sense of this wacky idea.

But what about us?  Do we get what is being said here?  What is this additional birth and why is it necessary?  Gee – loads of questions there Dale

As foundation we should understand that birth is the point of entering into life and it is from this perspective that Jesus' remarks take shape.  When we are physically born from our mother’s womb we enter into life in this world.  That’s the birth I celebrated yesterday, my birthday.  Woo Hoo!

It is entering into life spiritually that happens for those who become Christians.  They are literally born into their spiritual life so according to Jesus they are “Born again” and yes, it makes sense in those terms.  This is where the term Born Again believer comes from which is of course redundant.  Why?  Because in order to be counted a believer you must what?  ... Be born again.  So, all believers are born again. 

So what about that second birthday?

On the day when you are born again you might say you have a second birthday.  It is clear from many personal testimonies that lots of people can point to their exact date of second birth.  They remember it clearly and can provide through their personal testimonies the dramatic witness of an evangelist for example that drew them to a new life in Christ.

We’re all not that way.

Just as I don’t remember my birth into this physical life, I don’t remember my birth into spiritual life.  Just as I am alive and therefore must have been born, I am alive spiritually and therefore must have been born again.  I know of my physical birth and birthday because I was told that it occurred a speed limit ago.  I do not have anyone that specifically witnessed my spiritual birth and is able to give me that precise date.  I know however that I have that second birthday because of faith that I know to be real.

So what about you?  Do you have a second birthday?  Whether you know the date or simply know that it is true – that second birthday is truly the one to celebrate.  AMEN

Mark 10:7-9 Keeping the Promise

Mark 10:7-9 “FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (NASB)

 It was our anniversary two weeks ago.  We celebrated 31 years of marriage together by first going to CBCC for my daily treatment and then to a very nice dinner.  When the girls in the radiation treatment area saw that my wife was with me this particular visit (she had been before) they asked for the first time if she would like to see what the machine looks like.  I said I thought she would.  They also asked if there was some special reason she was with me this visit and I said it was our anniversary.  And so, as I got on the table and prepared for my treatment someone went out to get Sharon.  She came in and got the nickel tour of the treatment room while they got me in the correct orientation for my session.

 Treatment only takes about two minutes once everything is ready to go.  So, in no time I was done and getting my shoes back on when one of the girls came back in and asked, "How many years?"  I said, "31".  She said, " What is the secret?"

 Well …

 I contemplated my answer and then said, “A Christian marriage.”

 Silence …

 After the awkward moment I supplemented my answer with, “Making a promise and keeping it.”

 Well that met with a little more overt support and discussion about how few could and did actually make and keep commitments or promises these days.

 Since then I’ve had a chance to think more about this encounter and the truth of the situation.  Statistically my first answer may be untrue as we see virtually the same divorce rate occurs among Christians and non-Christians.  So, perhaps that’s just not it.  So, what about my second or follow-up answer around making a promise and keeping it?  Perhaps that is getting closer to the truth.

 I can say that in my marriage we are together today because we have both made a commitment and are very determined to keep the commitment.  Maybe we're both just that stubborn.  We would also very readily confess we are not the easiest people to live with and there are plenty of witnesses to that over the years but we have lived by our promise.

 I believe however it is the promise itself that must be examined in order to fully appreciate its power and perhaps render strength to my original answer.  In the marriage ceremony several questions are asked of the couple with regard to the commitment they are making.  Those questions of commitment or covenant are where the power of a lasting marriage are derived.  Perhaps the power of the promise is not even fully understood at the time but is appreciated after the fact and strengthened with understanding.

 The fact is that the promises made in the marriage ceremony are not simply between the husband and wife but between husband, wife and the Lord.  Sharon and I agree that our promise was not just to one another but to God Himself as well.  In some way making that promise to love honor and cherish all the days of my life was strengthened with the knowledge that it was made not just to my wife but to God.  I know Sharon feels the same way too.

 So the scripture says, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." I’ll not be the one to argue, disagree, object or rebel.  AMEN!

Philippians 4:6-7: Be Anxious for Nothing

Philippians 4:6-7 NASB “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So the coolest thing about cancer that I can think of is getting to wear that purple shirt at the annual Relay for Life event.  Well, that sounds pretty shallow.  I guess it is really.  And that’s kind of how I’ve felt about this diagnosis that has come my way over the past weeks and months.  Kind of shallow, like it is about as important as that purple shirt.

Why?

Well, for one thing I’ve just witnessed two other fellows die.  One was a believer, his place was secure in heaven and the other had his heels dug in deep.  He had folks knocking down his door aching to present the Gospel to him hoping along with his wife that he would respond to the good news and he did not.  I call him the nicest guy in hell.  He was, the nicest guy you would want to know but he died without the saving blood of Jesus.

So, you see my own situation is – well, shallow.

I had the early indicators and my doctor has followed up with me and we finally got the call that indeed I have cancer.  My cancer unlike the nice guy is very early and very treatable, it isn’t the type that is a death sentence the moment you hear the word.  Very early, not just treatable but curable.

So is that the reason for my peace?

I’m not so sure.  You see the treatment I’m faced with is eight weeks of radiation five days each week.  It will take its toll on my energy and there could be some other secondary treatment fallout.  But I have zero anxiety, I’m completely at peace.  Everyone keeps asking me about it like I should be upset and worried.  Maybe I’m missing something but I’m not bothered.

All I can point to my friends is the scripture that tells me what is really happening, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Have I given “Thanks” to God for my cancer?  Not so much.  That would still be on my to do list but I have been thinking a lot about things.

As my saved friend went to be with Jesus this week and my nice friend went to hell a few weeks back it does get you thinking about eternal things.  It gets you thinking about the things that matter.  In my case it helped me to stay focused on something besides my cancer – that really is a shallow issue and so I’ll get through this.

I certainly appreciate your prayers.  I suspect that eight weeks of this will bring some unknowns and perhaps some unpleasantness.  None the less, I have peace – unexplainable peace.  AMEN!

Psalm 46 - Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There

Psalm 46 To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. [Selah]
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah]
Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah] (NRSV)

 Guys – we’re the worst offenders in this category.  How often have we had our wife come to us with a story from work or a project she’s working on in a volunteer setting or maybe even with the kids a bit rattled and anxious.  She rambles on excitedly about all the troubles.  What is it that we are doing?  Solving the problem in our mind, perhaps even interrupting her to give her the answer to her “Simple” problem. 

Wrong answer!  She simply needs to download AND you simply need to listen. 
 

You need to really listen, not to solve but to empathize with her.  You need to really understand what she is saying to you.  You also need to understand what she wants.  I know – if we knew what women wanted … Regardless, beyond the immediate topic you need to listen to her to understand whether she is asking for your help or simply expecting your ear.  The solving will come soon enough.

David in his psalm gives us some perspective.  The perspective will help in this situation with our wives and it will also help in our own deep water times of trouble.  The bulk of Psalm 46 reminds us of God’s strength against the assaults that come our way. 

The imagery is fortress like.  “God is our refuge and strength” and “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge”.  Clearly, this God is strong and protective in nature.  The psalm also gives imagery of God’s unique strength with phrases like, “He utters his voice, the earth melts” and “God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved”.

Overall the intent is a reflection on the truth of who God is in His power, protection and strength.  He is in sovereign control over His creation and those upon whom he casts His love within it. 

Here’s a test for you.  Do you love God?  It is a yes or no question.

If the answer is yes there is a verse for you to consider.  (1John 4:19)  “We love because he first loved us”. (NASB)  Scripture tells us that if we love God – it is only because He loved us first.

So, this God who protects those He loves – if you love Him must have loved you first.  Otherwise you would be incapable of loving Him.  Get it?  If you love Him, He loved you first and He protects the ones He loves.

And now – we can come to where David lands in Psalm 46 and perhaps a phrase you have heard before.  “Be still and know that I am God”

When you stop the problem solving.  When you stop the worrying.  When you stop, stop, stop.  You give the Lord a chance to get through all the chatter and grant you the assurance that Psalm 46 gives us in black and white.  AMEN!

Exodus 20:1-6 Ego or Theo? Where is Your Center?

Exodus 20:1-6  Then God spoke all these words, saying,  "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.  "You shall have no other gods before Me.  "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,  but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (NASB)

Does anything in the passage above sound familiar?  It should!  What you have in this passage from Exodus is commandment one in a list of ten otherwise known as the ten commandments.  I would argue that the first is listed first for a reason.  Simply, it is the most important; the anchor.  It puts God in His place of supremacy and by inference everything else in its place.

In recent weeks I have encountered several situations in which the place of God has not been as black and white as it seems in these simple verses.  Do you believe what is written here?  Any arguments with commandment number one?  Do you have a problem with God’s claim here?

Frankly, those to whom I refer betrayed by their actions if not their words a really big problem with God’s own self declaration.  God says, “I am the LORD your God” and “You shall have no other gods before Me” and yet the behavior I have observed have indicated otherwise.

Now before you get ahead of me – the individuals in question had made claims of Christianity at least in some form.  Hmmmm!  How can that be?  You see, if God is in fact God and the behavior observed blatantly or otherwise indicated something different there must be a problem.  There was in fact a problem.

Sin was the problem.

Surely sin is a problem from which we all suffer.  As brothers of Adam we are all stained by the remnant of this sin whether saved by grace or still dead in our sin (unsaved) – our flesh still carries this blemish.  So in the case of my observation whether a professing Christian misbehaving or a faker, a wolf in sheep's clothing so to speak – the result was the same; sinful behavior.

The core issue is who is God?  Specifically, who is God in relation to you?  Who is the center of your universe?  Have you really surrendered to this commandment?  Do you indeed have, “No other god” before Him?  As believers when we fight the Spirit and yield to the flesh we put another god on the alter.  We become a god unto our-self as it were putting self ahead of God.  Have you ever considered it that way?  That’s the bottom line – each time we fail to submit yielding to self rather than the Lord we are putting ourselves in His place.  We become our god!

WOW!

If we don't actually put ourselves in that place - there are lot's of other small gods out there in today's culture to bow down to.  That’s exactly what Israel did in their continual struggle with idolatry throughout their wandering through the wilderness after their passage from Egypt.  What’s changed?  Sure, we don’t erect golden calves but boy there are hundreds of replacements in our lives that may become the object of our worship if we slip.  What is your center today?

Is God, the one God; your God?  Have you surrendered self?  Have you surrendered the other little gods of this world?

“Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 NASB 

Why is that?  Jesus paid the price for those pesky sins that prevent us from having a relationship with a holy God for one.  Beyond that, Jesus mediates as our faithful High Priest in heaven having walked on this earth suffering as we do every temptation yet living a sinless life.  Jesus also sent us a helper – the Holy Spirit, so as believers the Spirit testifies to our spirit about the truth of our salvation and the way in which we should behave in this life.  He is quite a guy that Jesus, eternal God and second person of the trinity. 

If you haven't asked Jesus to do this for you it doesn't cost anything and you can't do anything to earn His favor.  All you have to do is ask.  Pray to Him!  On your knees in your heart or out loud just ask Jesus to save you from your sins.  Tell Him you accept His free gift that He offers to you having paid the price for your sins by dying on that cross in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.  Accept that gift by faith today and you will be saved.

Because of Jesus we can have victory over sin.  Yes, we’ll stumble but we do not have to claim the place of God for ourselves – that’s ridiculous!  Who wants that kind of responsibility?  AMEN!