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Do we want a part in God’s ways?

When Job talks about the wicked wanting no part in God’s ways:

Job 21:14 NLT
And yet they say to God, ‘Go away. We want no part of you and your ways.

I’m reminded of Amos 5 where God says He wants no part of the people who are saying they long for the day of the Lord and who are outwardly religious with the hypocrisy and show:

Amos 5:18, 21-23 NLT
What sorrow awaits you who say, “If only the day of the Lord were here!” You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light.
“I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps.

And then reminded of Matthew 7:

Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

In Job 21, Job speaks truths about how God does allow the wicked to prosper in this life, then Eliohaz makes personal accusations of Job. Job doesn’t have to be a prophet to know that these “friends of his” aren’t there to comfort him but to mock him:

Job 21:2-3 NLT
“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me. Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me.

And that’s exactly what happens:

Job 22:4-7 NLT
Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you? No, it’s because of your wickedness! There’s no limit to your sins. “For example, you must have lent money to your friend and demanded clothing as security. Yes, you stripped him to the bone. You must have refused water for the thirsty and food for the hungry.

Accusations and casting stones at a suffering, grieving and devastated man because he isn’t putting on a show of public religion, offerings, and noisy praise but he’s being real about his situation.

What strikes me as fearful in this whole transaction isn’t anything truthful Job has said about God but how Eliahaz makes the mistake of presuming about God by essentially saying “If you do _____, God WILL  do ______.”

Job 22:29 NLT
If people are in trouble and you say, ‘Help them,’ God will save them.

This is such a wrong and frightening perspective and misunderstanding of God. We cannot use the Word of God to pin God into doing what we want — He is not our genie to command. It is not us who command things into existence from nothing. We are not witches, trying to figure out the right combination of words, potions, or actions we can take that will give us our intended results. God does as He pleases.

Psalms 115:3 NLT
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.

Job is clearly aware of this truth, even as he seeks an opportunity to wrestle with God who he loves so deadly and has walked with his whole life:

Job 23:12-14 NLT
I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind? Whatever he wants to do, he does. So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny.

You see,  Job knows that even walking close with God does not guarantee that we will not suffer, that we will not grieve,  that we will not face mocking and ridicule. In fact,  Jesus tells us that such things in the Kingdom of God are where the blessings are:

Matthew 5:3-12 NLT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. [8] God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Even a child can answer in their heart whether it would be a better to get that you and love their mother or lose the toy but have mother there to hold them and make it better. If we know this to be true about our earthly mother, we should definitely learn this lesson about our heavenly Father as well.

In all of this Job is not turning his back on God and dying (like his foolish wife suggested he do), but He is seeking God. In fact,  He knows that God’s testing in this life refines us:

Job 23:2-10 NLT
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would he use his great power to argue with me? No, he would give me a fair hearing. Honest people can reason with him, so I would be forever acquitted by my judge. I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

Isn’t it wild how loud our flesh can scream out at us to avoid the refining fires? Even how strongly Jesus’s flesh cried out to Him in  Gethsemane:

Luke 22:41-44 NLT
He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

When we are at these points of the story,  Job arguing with his friends. Jesus in Gethsemane, a mother burying her dead child, a husband and wife hearing the word “cancer” from a doctor, a person dealing with chronic illness, a person struggling deeply with mental illness — do we seek God to wrestle with Him, or do we curse Him and  die?

Do we wisely want a part in God’s ways, or do we foolishly expect He will play a part in ours?

The only way is surrender, is turning to Him.

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Polishing with Suffering and Lament

Readings:

Job 17

Job 18

Job 19

Job 20

In all of Job’s mourning, in his deep suffering — no one would actually listen to him and consider that his words could be true. Not one of them had even considered that God had removed the hedge of protection around Job, or that God might call Satan’s attention to Job to be purified by the refining fires of true, deep suffering.

Look at the examples of so many who walk with God who have faced levels of suffering that would leave those who do not know God saying, “He has sinned and God is punishing him” or similar. But have they not heard Jesus’s preaching from the mount that teaches about what real blessing looks like — do they not hear the call for us to share in the suffering of Christ — so they not know the example Christ and the Apostles and the martyrs have set before us?

Or are everyone’s eyes set upon chasing happiness and fulfillment and being honored in this life?

How often have I foolishly thought easy was best — rather than remembering that broad is the way that leads to real destruction.

I’m grateful for the book of Job and the Psalms of lament like Psalm 6, Psalm 38, Psalm 10, Psalm 42, Psalm 43, and Psalm 130 — and even in Jesus’s words of Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 where He recites the words from Psalm 22: “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?”

We should not be surprised that suffering and lament are tools the potter uses like sand and grit to polish a fine finish on his vessels.

Thank you Jesus.

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What a Friend we have in Jesus

Readings:

Genesis 17

Genesis 18

Matthew 6

Matthew 7

Proverbs 1

I’m reminded that the Lord is active and at work, that His blessings can come as a child, as healing, as correction, and even as destruction.

I am reminded that all of the Law and the prophets hang on what the world might call “being a good friend and offering friendship to all” — treating others as we would have them test us, loving others and loving God. So how have we been doing as we travel through this foreign land on our way home, my friends? How living have we been in our homes, and in the workplace, and amongst the believers, and amongst the unbelievers?

Like the blind man whose sight was restored and he saw the Lord face to face and celebrated, may we see you clearly with our hearts and minds when we study your Word, our God and our friend. Teach us and overcome us with your spirit, your nature, your wisdom, and your compassion. You are a good good fatherand a wonderful friend, oh Lord our Rock, our shelter, our Redeemer, and the one who sees us. Amen.

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Recognizing a Fools Errors while Ignoring Their Pain

Readings:

Job 14

Job 15

Job 16

When someone who is hurting lashes out about God or about us, I wonder how often like Job’s friends we are quicker to correct them than to encourage them?

Truly and deeply hurt people are in no position to be argued against — is like the fable of the Tiger arguing with the donkey over something clearly wrong the foolish donkey said. And the Tiger brings his dispute before the Lion king. And the Lion kings punishes the Tiger because he should know better than to argue with a foolish donkey when he is a tiger — not the donkey for being wrong.

I’m reminded of the intense need and deep grief that Job was in. I can not fault him for being genuine and transparent about his pain and his very real suffering.

Isn’t it better to be the man who screams out and curses God in the midst of great pain, than to pour salt in the wounds of hurting man?

Wouldn’t it be better to carry the hurt man however you must, even if it is too cut through a roof to get him to Jesus — rather than argue to prove yourself more right and less wrong than him?

Being able to see and point out the errors of another fool doesn’t make us wise.

Proverbs 9:7-8 ESV

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Proverbs 29:9 ESV

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

In contrast,  the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18), He comforts those who mourn (Matthew 54), He gives rest for our weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30). He will wipe every tear from their eyes (Revelation 21:4). We are called to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).

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Be Perfect as God is Perfect: Love Your Enemies

Readings:

Genesis 14

Genesis 15

Genesis 16

Matthew 5

Matthew 6

Psalms 6

Love your enemies — not just your friends and those who treat you well. This is the emphasis of Jesus’s sermon on the mount when He says,

Matthew 5:48 NLT
But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

It’s easy for us to be offensive and petty when we are offended. In fact,  that is probably our default — “you hurt me, so I’ll hurt you” seems to be how our pride and our flesh screams out for what it thinks is “justice”.

But God has a different way. And it isn’t to be a spineless coward either. Mercy and loving our enemy is strength under control. We may have the strength, the ability, the opportunity,  and even the self justified motive for why we might destroy our enemies, but we are told to love them — and to leave Vengeance to the Lord.

Romans 12:19 NLT
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

This advice in the New Testament builds upon what we see in the Old Testament:

Psalms 94:1 NLT
O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!

Leviticus 19:18 NLT
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

The New Testament goes beyond loving your fellow kinsman and neighbor even to living your enemy. And isn’t this how Good loves us?

Romans 5:6-11 NLT
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

And such a call is beyond the weakness of our flesh and pride. So Lord God our Redeemer and our strength,  you must do this in us and through us. Since this is who you would have us be. Help us to not resist your Holy Spirit and to willingly die to ourselves and be raised to life in you today.  Amen.

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How different holiness “looks” than we might expect

Readings:

Genesis 11

Genesis 12

Genesis 13

Matthew 5

Psalms 5

Man, how many things we take for granted these days. Imagine a world so corrupt that a faithful and righteous man who walks with God chooses to offer up his wife to a ruler as if she is his sister so that he would not be killed — and God, knowing Abram’s heart and the whole situation brings curses onto the rulers house and blessings through this wickedness onto Abram and his wife. In a world where laws and attempts at justice for all are at least the appearance that most people and nations want to project — this story can seem confusing and uncomfortable, right?

But imagine how much closer our sin is to what Abram did here — in fact, how much closer our best acts are to what Abram did here — than they are to the holiness of God. In fact, our best works are filthy rags. We can easily be distracted if we’re looking for Abram, ourselves, or anyone else to be the hero figure in these stories. No, we are all fallen, we have all fallen short, we are all in great need of Christ.

And, I love the “don’t go to the altar of you have unsettled problems with someone”. Some of the most valuable missed Sunday church services or “walk outs” in the middle of a church service have been when I’ve remembered this very verse — and choose to fear God more than fearing man.

Those moments when you know that any attempts at actual prayer time in the presence of God are going to be hindered, and instead of “looking like a good church goer” you’d rather “look like a heathen but walk as the church we are called to actually be”.

It’s funny how many times doing the things that God actually calls us to do won’t earn us any honor or respect in the eyes of people around us — and it shouldn’t anyways, if it’s really Him doing work through us.

And what about those times when we are hurting and grieving so deeply that the one that we have a problem with is God — and we’re faced with the Rock that we need to fall down upon, but it feels in some way that the rock might crush us.

This path is narrow, but it’s still so much better than when I stray or when I was blind and lost. Thank you Jesus!

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God has a plan and a promise, will we follow or oppose?

Readings:

Genesis 7

Genesis 8

Genesis 9

Matthew 4

Proverbs 1

What a contrast we see between what is good and what is evil, between what is foolish and what is wise!

God made a wise plan and Noah followed it, and God made a Noahic covenant. And after having meat today, I’m especially appreciative of this covenant!

This made me consider the various covenants tonight.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Edenic-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Adamic-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Noahic-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Abrahamic-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Palestinian-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Mosaic-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Davidic-covenant.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/new-covenant.html

Note: Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism camps arguments on “Israel” as:

  • the genetic descendants of Abraham
  • the political nation
  • the physical Holy land
  • the Church as “true Israel”

confuse me.

If anyone can clear up the distinctions, I’m interested.

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Drawing Close

Readings:

Genesis 4

Genesis 5

Genesis 6

Genesis 8

Genesis 9

Genesis 10

Genesis 11

Matthew 2

Matthew 3

Psalm 3

Matthew 3:10 NLT
Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Good fruit is quite different than a religious/pious life or a life focused on less sin. Paul encourages us in Romans 7:24-25 that starts out “O wretched man that I am…” and in 1 Tomothy 1:15 where he proclaims “I am chief among sinners”.

The Way is not just about turning away from sin that hands is and others, it is about living close with God. We see this distinction about both Enosh and Noah who walked with God. We too are called to walk with God, to personally seek and know Him. He is not just our Lord, not just our Savior, not just Father God, but He is also our Friend.

It is this walk with Him that produces fruit that others around us get to enjoy — not works of our own hands, but supernatural nourishment provide to others by the Holy Spirit working through us.

Like Peter’s shadow healing the sick in Acts 5:14-16 and “miracles following those who believe” mentioned in Mark 16:17-20 — God uses those He loves and that love Him to be a blessing to those around us — just as He models in Israel to be a blessing to the nations (Gen 12, Gen 18:18, Gen 22:18, Jer 4:2, Zech 8:12).

Isn’t it so much more amazing that God does work through us to bear fruit than just some demand that we be good enough to earn or prove our worth and value to Him? Being in His presence changes us, and He is responsible for the good works He prepared for us in advance, and even for our salvation, so that none of us should boast our get puffed up in religious pride.

What a wonderful, awesome, amazing God we serve, and know, and love. Amen.

And what about when it “feels” like a curse more than a blessing? What if we are hungry for nourishment ourselves, hurting, grieving, suffering?

He is the God that both builds up and tears down — and in all of it there is purpose. Jeremiah 1:10, Jeremiah 31:28, and Jeremiah 45:4

I love the song “Though you Slay Me” by Shane and Shane, and especially love the Son excerpt from John Piper where he voices the spirit of Job 13:15 that even in our suffering and pain, God is renewing us day by day (as 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 teaches).

John Piper says, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

So if we are in this current moment of grief, of suffering, of trial. of discipline, or “whatever does not feel good in the moment”, we can seek to understand in the perspective of eternity, not just feelings in a moment.

In fact, in these times, we are drawn to find our comfort in Him and not the things of this world.

Thank you Jesus!

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Is there a “Hypocrite Tongue”?

Why do I never hear people talking in “Olde English” in real life situations, yet some insist on switching over to it when it’s time to show off how religious we can be?

Is it some kind of hypocrite flag/warning so others can tell that it’s time for the “religiously justified hatred/judgement/condemnation” poison to be released?

Is it disingenuous to be our authentic selves 90% of the time,  but shift into religious dogma, language, and ritual for the 10% we think we need to act religious?

Looking back at my own past posts, etc. I can see this type of “virtue signaling” that I’ve participated in myself. But I don’t need to white wash my language so that all of the “good Christians” know that I’m probably referencing scripture.

No, I need my heart washed white as snow — so that my words and actions are overflowing with, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness,  gentleness and self-control — so that they might encounter the Holy Spirit through me, and so they might have their own encounter with the Jesus that I love and worship.

I’m sorry,  my friends, if at times I seem more religious than loving, more of a hypocrite than a good neighbor, more of a zealot than a loving friend. Lord, help my heart yearn for showing mercy, not for demanding sacrifice. Amen and Amen.

Matthew 12:7 NLT
[7] But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.12.7.NLT

Matthew 9:11-13 NLT
[11] But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” [12] When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” [13] Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.9.11-13.NLT

Hosea 6:6 NLT
[6] I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

https://bible.com/bible/116/hos.6.6.NLT

Matthew 23:2-13, 15 NLT
[2] “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. [3] So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. [4] They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. [5] “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. [6] And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. [7] They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ [8] “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. [9] And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. [10] And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. [11] The greatest among you must be a servant. [12] But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. [13] “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
[15] “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.23.2-15.NLT

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Why do I pray?

I have to say that it’s very challenging knowing the hurt and pain and struggle that some are going through and have gone through. It’s hard wanting to make sense of the “why” behind a lovely and kind person ending up with alzheimers and dementia, or a parent losing a child, or a young child with a painful chronic disease, or a brutal and senseless murder, or ongoing child/domestic abuse, a beloved spouse getting a scary diagnosis, etc.

This world can be so ugly and painful in ways where I have no ability to fix it or make sense of it personally. But He encourages me to pray constantly (1 Thess 5:17), and in every situation (Phil 4:6). Jesus modeled intentional prayer for us (Mark 1:35), and promises that the Father gives good gifts to those who ask (Matt 7:11). The best gifts are not shallow or selfish, like money or fulfilled desires — but are things like unexplainable peace that washes over someone in deep turmoil and grief, patience to endure burdens heavier than we could bear on our own, kindness to see others in pain and seek how we might lighten their load or encourage them, faithfulness to hold out hope even when we can’t yet see the victory, self-discipline to stick to it even when it feels like it’s useless and meaningless.

I used to not think much about anybody other than myself (in fact, I’m still like that when I let myself run on “default settings”). But I have made this miraculous claim (that I fully believe, and that I believe my life over time begins to reveal more and more) — that Christ lives in me, and that I am being conformed more and more into His image.

It is such a miraculous claim that seems so egotistical and absurd (that the God of all time and creation would even know of me, care about me, and choose to save and use me) that you would think that I would have to be the biggest narcissist and judgemental religious bigot to make such a wild claim — yet, it instead humbles me horribly.

When I see someone living cleaner than me that makes no such claim of being powered by the Holy Spirit of the Living God — it leads me to deep repentance where I must rely on God as my strength to wash me and to heal yet another part of my heart (that has been working against myself and against yall and against His beautiful will). When I see someone making the same foolish mistakes I have made myself, it inspires me to not just see an enemy who had hurt me or others, but to remember that through the cross and risen Savior I am seeing the same victory that they too need — that we are not at different levels of need or of worthiness or of glory — that we have all fallen short of the glory of God.

Thank you so much when you encourage me, my friends. I just have to say 100% that you seeing any good in me doesn’t make me feel better about me, it just puts me in more awe of how the Father will turn ashes into beauty, mourning into gladness, despair into praise (Isaiah 61:3).

We all need to be prayed for, and we all need the act of prayer to do its work within us — to draw us closer to the Father and to His will. Amen.