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Pastoral thoughts, Uncategorized

When the Judge’s Son Goes to Court

In recent months I’ve been thinking and studying about judgment – wondering if God is in the process of carrying out judgment in our midst. While doing so, I recalled an incident in my life from many years ago.

As a teenager, not long after receiving my driver’s license, I drove through a red light. Since I was right by the police station there were 2 officers in police cruisers on hand to witness my action – one of which instantaneously pulled me over. He was very nice – even as he ticketed me. But here’s the rest of the story. My ticket required me to go to juvenile court to face the judge – who just happened to be my father!

Today I boast about it – not because he let me off the hook, but because he practiced what God required. **


My father acted in steadfast love. He didn’t beat me down, or throw me out of the house, or scold me. Rather, he loved me enough to treat me fairly, as he would anyone else. He knew the system he used and oversaw was redemptive – it was designed to help people like me get back on track and move ahead more responsibly and safely. In doing so, he acted justly – I had broken the law and there was a judgment to be rendered, a penalty to be enforced, a price to be paid. I received the same assignment most other first time teen offenders received. (I was told to write a 250 word essay on the responsibilities of a teenage driver. This standard ‘punishment’ showed steadfast love to all who walked through those court doors in similar situations.) And my father demonstrated righteousness. He did what was right, what the law demanded. He recused himself from handling my case and turned it over to a colleague. No one could say I received preferential treatment. Only now, so many years later, have I recognized the true source and motivation behind my father’s actions and attitude. He understood God.

For God JUDGES WITH STEADFAST LOVE, JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

• God judges with steadfast love. Steadfast love – kindness – is the driving force and underlying characteristic of all God’s actions. Psalm 136 is one long boast about God’s steadfast love. Twenty-six times God’s people utter this refrain: “His steadfast love endures forever.”

• God judges with justice – He is a God of justice. “I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears it tingle. For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods…” (Jeremiah 19:3-4) He condemns the wicked. He vindicates the righteous. He will bring every deed to judgment, whether open or secret. It is true, God is slow to anger. Yet he will not leave the guilty unpunished. He is known for his justice: “The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.” (Psalm 9:16) He loves justice. “For the Lord … loves justice; the upright will see his face.” (Psalm 11:7) He gives justice to all the oppressed: “The Lord judges in favor of the oppressed and gives them their rights.” (Psalm 103:6 GNT).

• God judges with righteousness. He does what is right, what the law demands. “In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord is our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:15-16)

So to boast about steadfast love, justice, and righteousness is to boast about the lavish gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. “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) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16).

No wonder the Psalmist concludes Psalm 2, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

“O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry;
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;’
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.” ***

*This blog is an excerpt from Pastor Curry’s book A Nation Under God. (Still under construction)
**Picture from https://ref.ly/logos4/MediaTool;FormatId=1920;MediaItemId=191357-4410652–;ViewMode=Edit                                                                         ***G. K. Chesterton

 

Pastoral thoughts

The Red Army Attack

It was such a beautiful spring day. Warm temperature and bright sunshine. I was doing some of the outdoor spring stuff – mowing and trimming, and pulling weeds that had powered their way up though the mulch around the trees. I was weeding by our little maple tree when it happened. I felt something on my arm.

So I raised my arm and immediately saw a multitude of red ants on my sleeves and jeans – and simultaneously discovered they were also under my sleeves and jeans. And they were biting. I was literally under attack from this red army for invading their territory.

Believe me, I did a lot off brushing off along with arm and leg flailing. (Quite a sight I’m sure!) Once I was confident I had repelled them all I got some spray and doused the mulch. The next day they were dead and gone. But a week later I still have bodily evidence of the bites – the effect lingers for a while.

While reflecting upon this red army attack I was reminded that a similar attack is pictured in the Bible. Jesus warned “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves… Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…” (Matthew 7:15 & 24:4-12)

The Apostle Paul experienced it and so warned his followers. As he was leaving Ephesus he said to the Elders “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31) He also wrote to warn Timothy. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron…For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2 & 2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Here’s my summary of these warnings: Those who dig into the soil of the Word, who spend time pulling up the weeds that have powered up into their lives, will be attacked. Like the army of red ants the army of those opposed to Jesus and His message attack and bite. I realized again that my task – the task of all Christians – is to consistently brush off the attackers and keep actively flailing the Word.
Perhaps Paul said it best in one of his letters to Timothy: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2) As the New Living Translation states it “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” Eugene Peterson in The Message hits puts it most forcefully: “Proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.”

So even as I still itch I’m grateful to the red army for their attack. The reminder of my purpose and mission has been helpful and encouraging. Lord, help me persevere in digging and pulling up in enemy territory and grant me strength and courage to keep challenging, warning, and urging. And fill me with the wisdom to keep it simple.

Pastoral thoughts

Let’s Take a Walk

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

I’m not sure how well I ‘do justice’ or ‘love kindness’ but I do know that for the better part of a week I walked humbly with God. My wife and I just returned from our second visit to the Holy Land where we did a lot of walking. We visited some of the basic tourist places and some places not on everyone’s tour. It was a fabulous, awesome, humbling experience.

We were once again made aware that some sites are ‘traditional’ – meaning they more than likely are not original locations but have come to represent the unknown precise locations. Some sites are ‘true’ – meaning they are locations where what they represent actually happened. That’s important to know but it’s not what makes or breaks the experience. We were there not to venerate but commemorate. We were constantly reminded that it’s not the where but the what – not where something happened but what happened. Once we grasp the what we are pointed to the who. The who – God. God and His history with His people. The who – Jesus and His history with us. To be in that environment is a spiritual experience. It brings the Bible to life as it increases our understanding and awareness of the Biblical scenes and events. But it also instills within us a sense of walking where God has worked in special ways and where Jesus walked, died and rose.I felt a closeness with Jesus that is hard to duplicate in my everyday environment.

That’s why I so appreciate the old song, I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked: (1)

I walked today where Jesus walked,
In days of long ago.
I wandered down each path He knew,
With reverent step and slow.

Those little lanes, they have not changed,
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt His presence there.

My pathway led through Bethlehem,
Ah mem’ries ever sweet.
The little hills of Galilee,
That knew His childish feet.

The Mount of Olives, hallowed scenes,
That Jesus knew before
I saw the mighty Jordan roll,
As in the days of yore.

I knelt today where Jesus knelt,
Where all alone he prayed.
The Garden of Gethsemane,
My heart felt unafraid.

I picked my heavy burden up,
And with Him at my side,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
I climbed the Hill of Calvary,
Where on the Cross He died!

I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt Him close to me.

It’s an apt description of the experience.

Yet both times I’ve returned I’ve pondered, “Do I need to be in Israel to feel so close to Jesus?” While the experience of being in Israel cannot be duplicated the closeness can be, to some degree, replicated. As someone has said of the song just quoted, “This song seems at first glance only to talk about the beauty of the Holy Land and relate it to events in the life of Jesus Christ. However, it is so much more. The singer is talking about their own Christian journey, as they “walk where Jesus walked,” as they follow Him from “childish feet” all the way to dying on Calvary – dying to self, and truly becoming a follower of Christ in their heart. This song is about Jesus’ journey, but also about each person’s journey to follow in His footsteps.” (2)

I believe that’s true. Yet I’ve also come to realize that I can also walk today where Jesus walks today. Where does He walk? “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40)

What do you say we take a walk? Lord God, give us discernment and courage to walk today where you are walking and be your presence there. Amen!

(1) http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/r/religious_music/i_walked_today_where_jesus_walked.html

(2) Ibid

Pastoral thoughts

Number 1

As a young student at Central College in Pella, Iowa, I worked for the campus radio station. Iowa’s governor, the honorable Harold Hughes, had announced that he was not seeking re-election so that he could run for the United States Senate. When word came that he was making a campaign stop at a restaurant in downtown Pella I was asked to go and get an interview. I was both excited and nervous – a big assignment for a rookie radio guy. On the big day at the appointed hour I entered the restaurant and surveyed the crowd. There was no problem spotting the governor – not only did I recognize him but he was an imposing figure; I couldn’t miss him. I eventually identified myself and asked if I could do an interview. He said he’d be with me shortly. So I sat off to the side and waited.

A few minutes passed as people of much greater stature than me kept going up to him and asking for his time. But all of a sudden I heard him say to those gathered around him, “I promised this young man an interview so I need to give him some time now.” Wow – impressive; a politician and a man of his word. (I guess it’s not always an oxymoron!) At that moment I felt I was #1 and on top of the world – and even more nervous! Then he sat down next to me and immediately made me feel at ease. I turned on my little recorder and began the interview. One of the questions I posed to him had to do with whether nor not he had mixed feelings since he was leaving office after a doing good job and could easily be re-elected. He had made many friends and earned deep respect. Yet he was also venturing into new territory and was already being mentioned as a future Democratic candidate for President. I must confess I can’t remember what he said but I do recall that I was impressed with his thoughtful response. I finished my relatively short interview still #1 and on top of the world.

Immediately after completing the interview he began his public remarks so I turned the recorder back on again. I’ll never forget the gist of his opening remarks – he said something to the effect of “I was just being interviewed by this young man here from Central College, and he asked me a very good and thought-provoking question.” He then opened his brief speech by sharing his reflections on my question! Wow! Now I knew I liked this man! And that’s saying a lot for one who born and bred a Republican! If it was possible to feel higher than #1 and on top of the world, I was feeling it. All I could think of was that when we played highlights of his remarks over the air people would hear his opening references to me (true- since he hadn’t mentioned my name very few would know to whom he was referring; but I would know! And, yes, I confess to a little – make that a lot – of pride!) Needless to say I followed his career with great interest. In many ways, he was #1 in my book.

And while I could share much more about the faith and humility of Harold Hughes, my point right now is he became #1 in my eyes because he made me feel like I was #1. He understood that “If you want to be #1, make someone else #1.” I don’t mean to say that we ought to strive to be #1 so we can lord it over others; that is pride and self-centeredness. It has more to do with earning respect and love from others. We gain respect and love when we show respect and love. We gain the right to be heard when we give the right to be heard. We gain the opportunity to speak about Jesus when we live like Jesus. In the context of what I’m saying, Jesus becomes #1 to people because He makes them feel like they’re #1. Just think about the man by the pool, the woman at the well, Zaccheus, the lepers, the lame, the blind…the list of those Jesus made to feel #1 endless.

So this week, wherever you are and whoever you are with: “If you want to be #1, make someone else #1.” I have a hunch that if you do, Jesus will be the real #1.

Pastoral thoughts

It’s Morning

It’s so wonderful to celebrate Easter in our beautiful church facilities with dear friends and precious family. Often Easter Sunday worship is one of the highlight services of the year. But such surroundings also make it easy to forget the context of the first Easter morning. As the women approached the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, life was filled with despair and chaos. Jesus’ followers feared reprisal from the rulers. They had lost their purpose and power. They were confused about their future, uncertain about how to make sense of Jesus. Rome was still in power; their Messiah hadn’t delivered. Their greatest hope, their faith in Jesus, had led to embarrassing, humiliating defeat. The world and their lives seemed out of control. What hope did they have? All seemed lost. They wondered if following Jesus would make a difference.

We are familiar with the chaos and despair of life. Death and defeat are more evident every day. Financial ruin and hardship increase in frequency, broken relationships are in the rise, acts of terror and murder fill the headlines. There are more unexplained illnesses and uncontrolled diseases than ever before. There’s more bullying, more hatred, more broken relationships. Morality and behavioral standards are on a fast, seemingly unstoppable decline. There are more raging wars, famines, natural disasters, nuclear threats, unjust rulers, and horrific persecutions. We look at our current political landscape and wonder if there is anyone worthy of office. It’s easy to throw up our hands in despair – feeling powerless to do anything. We consign ourselves to thinking the end is near, there’s nothing we can do. It all directs our attention to a world seemingly out of control. Is following Jesus possible? If so will it make a difference? We understand the despair of the disciples.

But for the disciples then came the morning. Jesus was alive. Evil had not triumphed. The darkness of night did not last forever. Rome had not won. Hope was not lost. Jesus had won – He would soon ascend to Heaven to take up His power and reign forever. Ephesians 4:7 reminds us “When he ascended on high, he took many captives… (Col. 2:15 GNT) “And on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession.”

Even when we cannot see the evidence around us, JESUS REIGNS – FOREVER AND EVER. He is on the throne and He will have His way. He rules the world with ultimate power and a just, loving heart. Everything is on a path to bring about one final morning when every knee shall bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. On that morning there will be a new heaven and a new earth and a new day. (Is. 2:4 & 11:6-8) “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plow shares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore…The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together  and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear,   their young will lie down together,   and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea… (Rev. 21:3-4) “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The morning makes all the difference. Because of Easter morning, we live with “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1 RSV)

Carol was a church organist. One Easter morning her alarm didn’t go off and she didn’t show up for the Easter sunrise service. The next year, at 4:00 A.M. on Easter Sunday, the pastor called Carol. As she sleepily picked up the phone, he said, “Carol, it’s Easter Sunday morning. The Lord has risen, and I suggest you do the same.” Easter morning is our wake-up call!

As Paul firmly challenges us (1 Cor. 15:58 MSG): “With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” No matter who you are or where you’ve come from or what you’ve done or not done, right now you can begin a new life; your future is glorious. It’s morning. I challenge you to wake up and live!

News Commentary, Pastoral thoughts

The Truth From Calvin Revisited

Okay all you good Calvinists! Now that I have your attention…This is not about John Calvin – nor Calvin College. It’s about Calvin, as in “Calvin and Hobbes”. I enjoy and appreciate this great comic strip – not only for its humor but also for its wisdom and observations of life. One of my favorites is truly profound. Calvin’s mother says, ‘C’mon, Calvin. We’re going to the store.’ Calvin asks, ‘Can Hobbes come?’ ‘No, just leave him here’, mother replies. Shouts Calvin, ‘BUT I WANT HIM TO COME WITH US!’ As Calvin and Hobbes walk out the door together Hobbes observes, ‘If you can’t win by reason, go for volume.’

“Go for volume.”

Is this not a slogan and philosophy for many today? I wrote the original version of this blog 10 years ago – I suggested it was an appropriate theme for that time in history. Little did I know or could I comprehend how much more fitting it would be 10 years later.

There are so many loud voices today. It appears to me that many of the loudest voices (culturally, politically, religiously) are those of persons who are less concerned with the logic, reasonableness or truth of what they say than with the volume with which they say it. So they say it loud. The skill of and desire for true debate is rare. People seldom truly debate with each other anymore – they shout at each other instead. This past summer we witnessed this degradation in the so called political debates. I say ‘so called’ because they bore little resemblance to formal debates. I can only imagine what high school and college debate coaches must have thought. Certainly what they heard played out in these shouting matches bore little resemblance to what they taught and coached. Logic, reasonableness and truth gave way to volume, personal attack, and quotable tag lines. It should not surprise us that society at large has followed the lead. Perhaps Calvin was right – ‘If you can’t win by reason, go for volume.’

What a contrast to Jesus who was “oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

Since He had, and indeed was truth, Jesus didn’t need to shout. (Read the Gospel of John where ‘truth’ is mentioned at least 50 times!) And without shouting He proved to be the truth that has set us free! If we know this truth, there’s no need to worry about volume! Just speak and live the truth – and that truth will speak for itself.

(Jesus carrying cross from: &copy; Gracel21 | Dreamstime.com – <a href=”https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photos-jesus-carries-cross-christ-carrying-up-calvary-image39086448#res13162905″>Jesus carries cross</a>)

Pastoral thoughts

A Lesson from the Sun

There is a reason I love sunsets – more than just the fact that my wife and I love to see them in all their splendor. There’s just something about standing on the pier jutting out into the great lake and watching breathlessly as the sun paints its splendor on the horizon. It’s not unusual that, as the last chip of the great red ball fades below the horizon, the gathered crowd bursts into applause; on occasion someone even manages a “Yea, God!” But there’s yet a greater reason. One Sunday morning years ago as I drove to church, the eastern sky was aglow with the first burst of the rising sun. That’s when it hit me. God has messages attached to his sun.

Consider the rising sun – in the Bible it’s the symbol of a new day – everything and everyone awakens with a totally fresh start. Even the lamenting prophet understood it: “…my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lamentations 3:20-24). Similarly, the setting sun signifies the end of day – the opportunity to make things right before resting for the night: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27). And there is yet a third symbol, from Revelation 22:5 – “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” This represents the time when our hope is fulfilled. As the hymn-writer penned it:

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning, when with our Savior heaven is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning – beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset no clouds will gather, no storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending – beyond the sunset, eternal joy!

Beyond the sunset a hand will guide me to God the Father, whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome, will be my portion on that fair
shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion with our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting – beyond the sunset forevermore!

So every sunrise and sunset reminds me of new opportunities to experience the peace and rest of God, which only prepares me for the eternal rest and peace to come. And what should I do each day until THAT day? Let one more biblical sun image provide the answer: “Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised” (Ps. 113:2-3). There’s the reason I love sunsets – God wants to remind me, and you, of the agenda for the day: Praise the Lord!

 

Pastoral thoughts

Ever Failed a Test?

We all have memories of certain tests we have taken. I still remember the only test I failed outright. It was in 7th grade English. We were diagramming sentences (I’m not sure this is even done anymore – although it should be!). On a straight horizontal line we would put, first, the subject of the sentence, then a perpendicular line, then the verb, and then either a slanted line followed by a predicate nominative or a perpendicular line followed by a direct object. Well – I got the straight and slanted and lines at the end reversed. So every sentence was wrong – even thought I really knew the answers! So I got a big, red “F”.

There have been many tests since then, tests that have been far more important. That’s why I frequently turn to Abraham who once had a faith test – and it wasn’t for a grade, it was simply pass or fail. His test began when “Some time later (after these things) God tested Abraham…Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Gen. 22:1-3)

God tests us. This whole scene is a test. But notice when the test occurred – “after these things.” After Abraham had, at the command of God, left his native home and headed towards an unknown land; after God had promised him a son, an heir, so he could be the father of many nations; after Abraham had rescued Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah; after Abraham had waited many, many years and in his old age had a child by his servant; after God rejected that child as his heir; after God had finally blessed Abraham with a son by his aged wife, a son named Isaac. After all these things God tightened the screws even tighter on Abraham. He tested him. All his previous trials and tests had merely been preparation for this mother of all tests.

A good teacher never tests us on things she has not taught us but only on those for which she has prepared us. So it is with God; whatever the test, remember that God never tests us without first preparing us for the test. How is God currently testing you? Where in your life is He tightening the screws? Don’t panic – you are ready for it. God has prepared you.

Notice that Abraham passed the test because he was obedient. Obedience is always the primary issue for God. And we cannot obey partially – with obedience, it’s all or nothing. Obedience is total, not partial. The key is to understand why was Abraham so obedient. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together”. (Genesis 22:7-8) Abraham was obedient because he trusted God. He had high expectations of God because of God’s past performances in his life. (What, by the way, are your expectations of God? How long has it been since you considered his past performances in your life?) Abraham knew that God had never failed to deliver on a promise; he was willing to trust in God’s continued faithfulness. Abraham knew in his heart of hearts that God would not lie. Abraham did not need to understand, but only to obey and leave the details to God.

Remember that God’s goal, the purpose of his tests, is to lead us to trust Him fully and therefore be willing to walk forward even in the darkness when we cannot see our way. As the author of Hebrews put it, “Faith is… being certain of what we do not see.” (12:1) Jack Hayford wrote: “People who have to see the sunrise to be sure another day is coming are people who will live in the fear of the dark forever. But people who know that God has ordered the course of this world – and that the sun is going to come up – don’t worry about the darkness of the night. They are secure in the confidence that another day will dawn.”

And sure enough, God was faithful – He provided a lamb. Abraham did not have to sacrifice Isaac. A lamb in a thicket was God’s designated replacement. It’s not so much that Abraham was faithful as that God was faithful. God had tested Abraham, but Abraham had tested God – and both passed! Yet it gets more interesting. Many scholars claim that Moriah, where this all took place, was eventually a place called Calvary – where God also provided a Lamb.

God had another, more permanent designated replacement. And whether or not Moriah is Calvary, the other Lamb, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed. We do not have to sacrifice anything to receive God’s provision. The Bible proclaims, “Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT)

So Abraham did not have to sacrifice Isaac; but he needed to release him. We do not have to sacrifice anything to receive God’s provision, but we need do release everything to Him. But notice that Abraham was in Moriah when God provided the lamb. GOD PROVIDED THE LAMB IN THE PLACE OF OBEDIENCE! When God commands us to slay our Isaac, He is really asking a question: “Are you willing to let go of what I’ve given you before, to receive what I have for you now?” We experience the provision of God when we stand in the place of obedience. Are you willing to be obedient to God? Are you ready to release your dearest treasures, your most passionate love, your greatest accomplishments to God? Can you surrender your control of what you were never meant to control? Can you commit what is not yours to gain what you cannot lose? I invite you to release that which you are withholding from God. Whatever it is – your greatest love, your wealth, your job, your time, your accomplishments; your sexual desires, a special relationship with someone, your marriage; your sin, your guilt, your grief; your pride, your selfishness, your ‘rights;’ your anger, your bitterness; your unwillingness to serve Him, your hesitation to obey Him, your fear of trusting Him; your attempts to control your something in your life – lay it on the altar and release it to Him. Unless you climb Moriah, you will never see the heights nor experience the riches. God has already provided the Lamb – now He’s waiting to provide for you. “We never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows and the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey.” (1)

(1) Trust and Obey, John H. Sammis

News Commentary, Pastoral thoughts, Sports Talk

It’s All About the Numbers

I admit it at the outset – I am a big fan of the Michigan Wolverines. But I write today not so much but as a fan as an observer of life. You have probably heard the moving, emotional, inspirational story of the plane crash that preceded their current run through the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. The news has been filled with accounts of how the coaches, players and their families have been deeply impacted by the crash.

It’s not surprising that for all of them, life now has a different, or at least sharper focus. As I listened to and read these accounts my mind recalled Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

It would be nice to know the number of our days – or would it? Would it make a difference if you knew the number of your days? How would it change your life? If you knew for certain that you had 30,000 days, what impact would it have on how you live this day? If you knew for certain that you had 30 days, what impact would it have on how you live this day? My guess is knowing the number of days we have impacts how we spend our time today. It really is all about the numbers. The more days we know we have the less likely we are to focus on the really essential things of life today.

The late Zig Ziglar liked to talk about how much we accomplish on the days immediately preceding vacation. We know time is short and certain things have to be done – so we exercise great discipline and accomplish a tremendous amount of essential work in those days – much more than normal. His point was that we should treat every day as the day before vacation and accomplish much more than we currently do.

Isn’t that really the point of the Psalmist? Did he really want to know the number of his days? Or was he pointing out the benefit of not knowing? If we do not know how many days we have we are much more prone to make today count – to focus more clearly on the really essential things of life. That’s why I like the Contemporary English Version of Psalm 90:12 – “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.” It’s really not about the numbers, is it? It’s really about how serious we are about making each day count.

Here’s what we know for sure. We do not know the number of our days and we do not determine the number of our days. Therefore each day is a gift of grace. As the Amplified Version states it, “Lord, let me know my [life’s] end And [to appreciate] the extent of my days…” It really doesn’t matter if we don’t know how many days we have – we have today. Value it as a blessing; live it with gratitude; fill it with purpose. As the Gaithers sang years ago:

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living,
Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;
Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows,
Making mem’ries of what was today.

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling,
For Daddy to hear just what she has to say;
And my little son running there by the hillside,
May never be quite like today.

Tender words, gentle touch and a good cup of coffee,
And someone that loves me and wants me to stay;
Hold them near while they’re here and don’t wait for tomorrow,
To look back and wish for today.

Take the blue of the sky and the green of the forest,
And the gold and the brown of the freshly mown hay;
Add the pale shades of spring and the circus of autumn,
And weave you a lovely today.

Chorus: We have this moment to hold in our hands
and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand;
Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment today.

Plane Crash Photo from:  http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/03/details_and_descriptions_of_mi.html