Purity. I can never exhaust discussion about it. What’s on my mind this time is actually thoughts about men approaching women in purity.
It may seem like somewhat of a misplaced topic. There’s only one other instance I can recall doing an entry about men. As in that case, I was inspired by discussions I had with others. Also as I mentioned there, I am of course not an authority on men – nor is it my role to be one. Rather, I’m simply sharing a few thoughts God brought to mind on this issue.
Some friends hosted an awesome co-ed dialogue this weekend about how men and women in the Body of Christ should relate to each other in both romantic relationships and friendships; as brothers and sisters in Christ. There were single and married people and a good, near-even mix of men and women (at least by the middle of the night, lol). One of exercises was for women and men to write down questions about dealing with the opposite sex. The men and women then split up and picked a couple questions the other sex wrote down to answer that we then discussed collectively.
One of the questions that a man posed, and the ladies decided to answer, was “what are the ‘signs’ that a woman is interested and wanting a man to ask her out?” I think this question raised some of the best conversation of the night. One of the issues both men and women contemplated as a result of that question is how men of God can truly approach women differently than men without Christ do. The dialogue brought out some thoughts I had long been contemplating, and also enlightened me on others. This entry is a culmination of them all.
The Misguided “Hunt” Principle
I think generally, in the Christian community, we have misled men on how –and when – to approach women.
How? I think we’ve encouraged men to be “hunters” but haven’t necessarily told them how to pursue women purposely. I know I’m not the first person to say that, but I do think proper pursuit has often been left out of instruction to Christian men on godly dating.
We’ve forgotten to tell men that they should seek God’s leading before they choose which women to date, not after they’ve started dating a woman. We tell women all the time to trust God for a husband, but often just tell men to go out looking. We are often reminded that “HE who finds a wife finds a good thing” (my paraphrase of the comment and the verse) or references to Bible stories such as “Rebekah did not find Isaac; Isaac found her.”
As I was reminded in the story of Isaac and Rebekah by a sermon I listened to, Isaac was not even the one who went out to “find” Rebekah: God used the servant of his father Abraham to bring her to him. In fact, just before they were introduced, Isaac was out in a field spending time with God, meditating. The Bible does not even indicate whether Isaac was at all aware that a servant was sent afar to find a wife for him. But we do know that God orchestrated the arrival of a godly woman for him.
I’m not saying that a man should just pray and not ask out any woman – but that he should do so at God’s leading. Romans 8:14 says: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (NKJV) What is supposed to distinguish believers in Christ is that we don’t just act on sight alone in any circumstance; instead, we are guided by The Spirit.
A man being “led by the Spirit” in pursuing a woman requires a vision. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” The KJV uses the word “vision” in place of revelation. I think the NLT breaks it down some more: “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” Godly direction is necessary to keep us from making detrimental choices – and we thrive with it!
I believe a man should have a list of essential, God-centered characteristics that a woman should posses before dating (as should a woman for a man). I’ve shared how God helped me develop a godly list, so I won’t talk about lists in any more detail here.
In the Woods…
Rather than being led by the Spirit, even Christian men often approach dating as hunters looking to land whatever they see that is somehow in sphere or range. Quite often, even godly men will pick a woman to date not based on a vision, but a couple tidbits about her, number one that she’s cute and, for example, sings in the choir, leads a small group, or has a father in ministry. Or maybe even that she has a “great personality” (I’ve shared my opinion on the potential for personality to be a “false positive” before). But none of those things say much about a woman’s spiritual condition and character – two of the most important ingredients for a godly relationship. Yet we pretty much tell men to just shoot metaphorical darts and eventually the right woman, “the one,” will be the target hit.
If attractiveness, and maybe a tidbit here or there, is the basis for a Christian man pursuing a woman romantically, how is that any different from the world? In Hollywood films, a love story usually starts with a man seeing a beautiful woman and then pursing her, until they reach happily ever after. While a godly man should of course be attracted to a woman he dates, despite what some might say–in a godly pursuit, I believe a man should have much more than that to go on before asking out a woman.
Admittedly, “hunting” with the eyes works for some Christian men. We hear these stories, which, in my experience, tend to be from pastors or other men in ministry, about how a godly man set his sight on a woman at church or Christian college that every guy thought was smokin’ hot– although he knew little else about her. The man subsequently asked her out, she said yes, and she also ended up being the most godly woman on the planet. Then they got married, have had a child every 1.5 years for the last ten years, and every day of their marriage is reportedly steamier than the last.
The success in these instances, I believe, probably has more to do with God’s plan for the couple’s life than the approach in pursuing that the man took, and with the underlying vision the man may have had beyond the woman’s appearance. I don’t know what the statistics are, but, from what I’ve observed, people called to full-time ministry tend to get married earlier, and marriage is often seen as a necessity for ministry, which might make these stories in such contexts ripe for the happening (I did do a little digging and found this interesting blog post about pastors and marriage at least that supports my assertion).
But there are a lot of godly men who take that same “hunting” approach, but end up getting burned, and repeatedly at that. For example, a man sees some woman that looks good to him –especially in a “controlled” setting such as church, but the woman rejects him outright, and painfully so, or he finds out things about her in dating that he could have ruled out in friendship.
At some point, the lack of direction in pursuit takes a toll on a godly man, whether by him just getting sick of the whole dating thing and choosing to take a “hiatus,” however long, or in becoming even more desensitized to restraint in approaching women.
The result? A problematic paradigm that contradicts God’s design for the man as the pursuer - and affects godly women. While I talk about the man not taking any old risk, it is still a man’s job to take the right ones.
“FOB” and the Godly Man’s “Loss” Responsibility
There’s actually a concept we come across in the law that I thought about during our discussion of the man’s God-given role as the pursuer that I’ll share (although I think churches tend to get this part right, but don’t take it far enough in discussing what vision a man should have as he pursues). It’s not a legal concept per se, but it is relevant to legal issues involving contracts and accounting. It’s the buyer-seller concept of FOB (sometimes meaning “Free” or “Freight” On Board, or something else, depending on the region of the world and the type of transaction).
Anyway (and I’m getting to the relevant part), in one context, FOB Destination means that when a seller - say, a manufacturer of laptop computers, ships the goods (i.e., the laptops) to a buyer, such as Best Buy, if anything happens to the shipment while it’s in transit, before it is delivered to the buyer– for example, it falls off a ship or truck; gets burned or stolen, the seller is responsible for the cost of any such accident. In contrast, the buyer has no responsibility to pay for any loss (absent a contrary agreement with the seller). Thus, in an “FOB Destination” situation, the seller, not the buyer, bears the “risk of loss” – i.e., the cost of a failed shipment.
Likewise, God has designed it so that the man’s role as a leader of the family gives him that same kind of “FOB Destination” risk as the seller in pursuing a woman before marriage. He should be fully aware that rejection is always his risk to bear as the initiator – and even be prepared that it is likely to happen at least once. Further, there’s only so much of a “signal” a godly woman can give to a man to allay his fears about whether she is interested other than an open attitude (and chances are that if a woman is giving a man some “certainty” that she wants to date him that eliminates all risk in asking, it may not be the right woman to date!). Men of God just have to accept that the risk is their responsibility – and their reward!
Calculated Risk
At the same time, this should make men more discerning about the kind of risks they take in dating. Proverbs 4:23 - which is often used only for women in the relationship context - provides direction for men. It think it’s so good it needs to be stated in several versions that I think all help understand it better:
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV © 1984)
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (NKJV)
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (ESV)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (NLT)
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV © 2011)
When a man opens his heart to just any woman, especially as he often has to do in “hunting,” he can cause himself the kind of heartbreak that makes asking out godly women under the right circumstances a problem that it shouldn’t be. I do believe that even in instances where men don’t move when they could have God can still work in situations – but it makes them stickier than they ever had to be. When a man guards his heart from just any woman, he positions himself in a healthy place to move toward the right kind of woman according to God’s paradigm.
I know some women would disagree, but I think a good principle for a godly man is to hold off dating a woman he is interested in until he can, with good intention and avoidance of confusion to the woman, get to know her true character in friendship. I say it that way because there can be a tendency for a man to keep things undefined until he thinks he can be “absolutely certain” that the woman will date him when asked. In turn, his actions can end up appearing to give the woman mixed signals about his intentions.
But, in many, if not most, instances, before entering an exclusive dating relationship, there will probably never be a clear signal from God for a man that indicates a woman is near absolutely his wife (and there can never be complete certainty until “I Do” – e.g., even if all wedding plans are in place, a tragedy such as death could occur beforehand). I believe the point of the friendship phase is to find out compatibility and character, and to see if there are any characteristics that “rule out” the woman based on a man’s godly vision. A man has to trust that, if he takes this approach, God will direct him.
If a man is seeking God’s direction and can’t rule out the possibility that a relationship with a woman could work out, but has solid reasons for why it could, I believe it becomes the man’s responsibility to take the chance by initiating a dating relationship.
Some relevant questions: A man doesn’t know if a woman will absolutely say yes to him? There’s not supposed to be a guarantee that she will. He’s not positive that he could see himself married to her? A “could marry,” based on a godly vision, may be the most that he can know without taking that step in faith. He doesn’t have all the answers about how much money he thinks he needs to earn to support a family in the event that the relationship does, in fact, lead to marriage? He can hand that fear over to God, and take any practical steps he can to prepare himself for the possibility of marriage. Colossians 1: 17 says, “He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” Proverbs 37: 4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” It’s amazing what God does when we recognize His sovereignty and seek him in our desires – including in dating!
Further, if a man approaches a godly woman in a godly way and it does not work out, he will most likely lose far less than in a more random hunt. He may still gain friendship with a sister in Christ – or at least godly insight for the next relationship! And with the right pursuit, the outcome of an unsuccessful relationship will certainly be much healthier than the “missed target” result that can come from just “hunting” based on looks and little else. And where a man is led by the Spirit, he has the ultimate security that God will not disappoint him. That’s yet another risk mitigator!
For The Ladies
How do women fit into the “search” puzzle? I think that in all friendships and dating relationships with men, we have to trust God’s sovereignty as well. As I’ve shared, I tend to believe that, based on scripture, absent some direction from God in a specific situation to the contrary, a woman should not be the one to declare the desire for a relationship (Lately, I heard the story of a missionary couple where the woman told the man I love you after an eight-year I-might-like-you-I might-not friendship and it worked out, but I tend to see those kinds of stories as the exception). I believe that a woman guarding her heart should mean that no matter how much she cares for a man, if he does not move the relationship in a romantic direction, she does not give her heart to him.
If a man never moves a relationship from friendship to romance, it most likely was not God’s will for it to happen. Part of trusting God’s sovereignty is knowing that we can only see what’s in front of us, while God sees all. We may think that some man is so right for us, but God may have someone -- or something – else in mind that we have yet to see.
At the same time, I don’t think it’s wrong for a woman to desire a particular relationship as long as her desire lines up with Scripture, and she gives it to God and follows His direction – including if He gives her a direction for the desire to change. I’ve listened to stories of couples who were in this situation, and God used the wait time to increase both people’s faith – and the man eventually recognized that God was leading him in the same direction that the woman desired. Sometimes we have a timetable for when things should happen, but God may have a certain work in man or woman before the relationship should happen (not that a man and woman become “more deserving” of a marriage by God working in them, but that God may have particular lessons to teach them in preparation for their union).
However, in these instances a woman also has to remain open to other potential husbands that God could bring her way – but she has to be responsive to men purposely as well – not in retaliation to man she may desire to date who has not spoken up, or because she thinks that she has to just “try other people” to see what will stick. As a man should be observing the character of any woman in friendship, so should a woman.
I think in the wait for marriage in any circumstance, it helps to remember that there are far worse fates than not being married by a certain time – i.e., marrying the wrong person (talk about prison)! I think that where a woman guards her heart, she can learn to navigate different situations with men and have the discernment of when to say yes to an opportunity to date a man, and when to say no (as a man should have trust in God’s sovereignty when a woman does, in fact, say no).
Also, ladies, our biggest concern for brothers (and sisters) in Christ should be encouraging them in their walks with God – not our personal desires. Often, male and female relationships get sticky because each is more concerned with his or her own relationship desires than God’s will for the other person. When we think about how we can encourage and spur each other on toward love and good deeds, God takes care of meeting any relationship desires that are in line with His will. Caring about a brother’s spiritual well-being first is how we keep our desires in check, and all relationships with the opposite sex on firm footing!
Conclusion
After writing way more than I anticipated, I am not even interested in ending with a cute conclusion to match my title as I often try to do – my head hurts! I guess the most I’ll say is that I think men and women of God need to have more conversations about how to associate with each other in a godly way. Hebrews 10: 24 tells us to consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. The following verse says that believers should continue to meet together for encouragement. With the state of male and female relationships in our society – and in The Body – men and women need this kind of productive, God-centered counsel from each other. I give my buddies an “A+!”
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Photo Opp
I don’t usually put up photos, but I’m really exited about the one here, which is of me and my little brother. There’s a bit of background that I’ll share…
For months my mom had been wanting to take a family photo (which also includes my dad and two siblings). Well, about February of this year, I got one of those Living Social "Daily Deals" for like 75% off the price of a photo shoot and several prints. Thinking this was a great opportunity to get the desired family portrait, I purchased the deal. The expiration date was a few months after, on June 24.
Naturally, these types of things that take schedule coordination can easily end up unused. We already knew we’d have to wait until at least May, when one of my siblings would be back in town for the summer. Then, some weeks each of us were in and out of town, which further pushed the date back. Before we knew it, June 23 - the only day we were all available to take the photo before the deadline - had arrived.
To meet the 24th deadline, I had spent approximately one week beforehand booking, and rebooking, to meet various schedule conflicts and requests, which took shuffling on all of our parts.
But, alas, only one other family member made it to take the photo, which would be, of course, my self-proclaimed protégé, my little brother (as many folks know, I am always talking about him. It’s in part because he is the only person in my family younger than me, whom I watched grow up and hand in “raising,” if you will, although we are just shy of three years apart. The other, related reasons are the fact that he listens and responds to what I say, values my opinion, and in many ways has a similar sense of humor. He also has just generally grown into a good, God-honoring human being with his own personality – i.e., not just like mine. You can’t help but sing the praises of someone with those characteristics!)
Anyway, others in the fam did make efforts to attend. And, I suppose, a 40% attendance is better than just me, for that matter. And the photos really did come out well (which is why I am sharing one of them)!
Perhaps I should take my little brother’s advice and just wait for my parents to plan a shoot next time. The "silver lining," I suppose, it that the whole family actually liked the picture and has put at least one in “his, or her, respective wallet,” lol. My dad also came to the studio in time to help select the photos, and my mom requested copies for both of her most-used purses. And it will be added to our walls! The contributions, or lack thereof, of any others “shall not be enumerated herein”:).
Relating this post to my blog theme, I’m thankful for God giving me such a great family. There’s a lot of love and forgiveness (As in, the forgiveness I have extended for such a transgression as missing a family photo). As James 1 says, every good and perfect gift comes from above. My fam is no exception!
Until the next opportunity, we will settle for this one...
For months my mom had been wanting to take a family photo (which also includes my dad and two siblings). Well, about February of this year, I got one of those Living Social "Daily Deals" for like 75% off the price of a photo shoot and several prints. Thinking this was a great opportunity to get the desired family portrait, I purchased the deal. The expiration date was a few months after, on June 24.
Naturally, these types of things that take schedule coordination can easily end up unused. We already knew we’d have to wait until at least May, when one of my siblings would be back in town for the summer. Then, some weeks each of us were in and out of town, which further pushed the date back. Before we knew it, June 23 - the only day we were all available to take the photo before the deadline - had arrived.
To meet the 24th deadline, I had spent approximately one week beforehand booking, and rebooking, to meet various schedule conflicts and requests, which took shuffling on all of our parts.
But, alas, only one other family member made it to take the photo, which would be, of course, my self-proclaimed protégé, my little brother (as many folks know, I am always talking about him. It’s in part because he is the only person in my family younger than me, whom I watched grow up and hand in “raising,” if you will, although we are just shy of three years apart. The other, related reasons are the fact that he listens and responds to what I say, values my opinion, and in many ways has a similar sense of humor. He also has just generally grown into a good, God-honoring human being with his own personality – i.e., not just like mine. You can’t help but sing the praises of someone with those characteristics!)
Anyway, others in the fam did make efforts to attend. And, I suppose, a 40% attendance is better than just me, for that matter. And the photos really did come out well (which is why I am sharing one of them)!
Perhaps I should take my little brother’s advice and just wait for my parents to plan a shoot next time. The "silver lining," I suppose, it that the whole family actually liked the picture and has put at least one in “his, or her, respective wallet,” lol. My dad also came to the studio in time to help select the photos, and my mom requested copies for both of her most-used purses. And it will be added to our walls! The contributions, or lack thereof, of any others “shall not be enumerated herein”:).
Relating this post to my blog theme, I’m thankful for God giving me such a great family. There’s a lot of love and forgiveness (As in, the forgiveness I have extended for such a transgression as missing a family photo). As James 1 says, every good and perfect gift comes from above. My fam is no exception!
Until the next opportunity, we will settle for this one...
Desert Song
I do intend to go back to reflecting on my read, but recently I’ve had a few other thoughts on my mind. One of them is about another worship tune called Desert Song. It has such rich meaning, but, like a lot of Contemporary worship songs, it can be hard to miss the meaning if you don’t listen closely. Desert Song has had more impact on me recently as I’ve contemplated the meaning more.
It’s about praising God in trials, “deserts.” It begins, “this is my prayer in the desert, when all that’s within me feels dry.” In the last few months, I've had a lot of discussion within The Body about some of the common trials we face. Unemployment; rejection from college or grad school; waiting to find a husband or wife; waiting to adopt children; having a physical disease; trying to lose weight; dealing with family issues; fights with friends – these are just a sampling of the many challenges that can cause our lives to feel like a vast, dry wasteland.
Yet none of the trials we face should cause us to lose confidence in God. The chorus of Desert Song reminds us: “All of my life, in every season, you are still God, I have a reason to sing; I have a reason to worship.” A verse of the song also says, “This is my prayer in the battle, when triumph is still on its way. I am conqueror and co-heir with Christ, so firm on His promise I’ll stand.”
Those words are so powerful! We often get depressed in trials because we forget who God is. When we recognize that He is still the Creator, still sovereign – and who we are in Him – it should cause us to exalt Him in all circumstances - and see ourselves lifted far beyond them.
Colossians 1: 15-17 (verse 17, which I often quote), says this about Jesus' dominion over all:
“ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Romans 8, which talks about us being co-heirs with Christ and is referenced in Desert Song, says that those who have accepted Him do not suffer in vain: 17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
And what is that ultimate glory that we’ll experience as heirs? 1 Corinthians 4: 17-18: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Ultimately, all suffering ends with an eternal place in Heaven.
On earth, we fight trials with God’s promises. Praising through challenges – rather than focusing on pain – is why some of us thrive in struggle, and others crumble.
In addition to the ultimate glory that we have in Christ, we can also be thankful for a God who still loves to deliver us from our trials here on earth. In Desert Song, God lifting us out of the storm by removing the trial is referred to as the harvest. Yet the song reminds us that the desert should positvely affect our harvest: “This is my prayer in the harvest, when favor and providence flow. I know I’m filled to be emptied again, the seed I’ve received I will sow.”
It’s very easy in trials for us to think that “If God just removes my struggle, then my life will be wonderful or complete." But we forget that Jesus promises that we’ll face trials throughout life. One part of John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble.” (NIV) But Jesus doesn’t end there. In that verse, he adds, “but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (KJV). We have to recognize that even if our suffering is removed, our lives will not be perfect. In fact, some other struggle will probably rise to take its place. Or sometimes, the "deliverance" is not in God removing the struggle, but giving us the Grace to accept it.
In spring or winter, desert or green pasture, we give God glory for who He is – recognizing that He knows best. Also, as He delivers us from our trials, we take His faithfulness to “the Bank” by using what He's taught us in that struggle to help us the next time we face another one. By praising we also grow in our faith and our witness to the world. Ultimately, our life as Christians is not just about ourselves, but also representing Him with boldness in our world. A trial is nothing more – nothing better – than a chance for God’s glory to be revealed publicly. That’s pretty awesome!
Here are the lyrics to desert song. Even if it may not be your style, you might also want to listen to it – there’s so much power in the words.
"DESERT SONG" LYRICS
Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empited again
The seed I've recieved I will sow
It’s about praising God in trials, “deserts.” It begins, “this is my prayer in the desert, when all that’s within me feels dry.” In the last few months, I've had a lot of discussion within The Body about some of the common trials we face. Unemployment; rejection from college or grad school; waiting to find a husband or wife; waiting to adopt children; having a physical disease; trying to lose weight; dealing with family issues; fights with friends – these are just a sampling of the many challenges that can cause our lives to feel like a vast, dry wasteland.
Yet none of the trials we face should cause us to lose confidence in God. The chorus of Desert Song reminds us: “All of my life, in every season, you are still God, I have a reason to sing; I have a reason to worship.” A verse of the song also says, “This is my prayer in the battle, when triumph is still on its way. I am conqueror and co-heir with Christ, so firm on His promise I’ll stand.”
Those words are so powerful! We often get depressed in trials because we forget who God is. When we recognize that He is still the Creator, still sovereign – and who we are in Him – it should cause us to exalt Him in all circumstances - and see ourselves lifted far beyond them.
Colossians 1: 15-17 (verse 17, which I often quote), says this about Jesus' dominion over all:
“ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Romans 8, which talks about us being co-heirs with Christ and is referenced in Desert Song, says that those who have accepted Him do not suffer in vain: 17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
And what is that ultimate glory that we’ll experience as heirs? 1 Corinthians 4: 17-18: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Ultimately, all suffering ends with an eternal place in Heaven.
On earth, we fight trials with God’s promises. Praising through challenges – rather than focusing on pain – is why some of us thrive in struggle, and others crumble.
In addition to the ultimate glory that we have in Christ, we can also be thankful for a God who still loves to deliver us from our trials here on earth. In Desert Song, God lifting us out of the storm by removing the trial is referred to as the harvest. Yet the song reminds us that the desert should positvely affect our harvest: “This is my prayer in the harvest, when favor and providence flow. I know I’m filled to be emptied again, the seed I’ve received I will sow.”
It’s very easy in trials for us to think that “If God just removes my struggle, then my life will be wonderful or complete." But we forget that Jesus promises that we’ll face trials throughout life. One part of John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble.” (NIV) But Jesus doesn’t end there. In that verse, he adds, “but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (KJV). We have to recognize that even if our suffering is removed, our lives will not be perfect. In fact, some other struggle will probably rise to take its place. Or sometimes, the "deliverance" is not in God removing the struggle, but giving us the Grace to accept it.
In spring or winter, desert or green pasture, we give God glory for who He is – recognizing that He knows best. Also, as He delivers us from our trials, we take His faithfulness to “the Bank” by using what He's taught us in that struggle to help us the next time we face another one. By praising we also grow in our faith and our witness to the world. Ultimately, our life as Christians is not just about ourselves, but also representing Him with boldness in our world. A trial is nothing more – nothing better – than a chance for God’s glory to be revealed publicly. That’s pretty awesome!
Here are the lyrics to desert song. Even if it may not be your style, you might also want to listen to it – there’s so much power in the words.
"DESERT SONG" LYRICS
Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empited again
The seed I've recieved I will sow
Monday, June 13, 2011
LOVELY
I love modern worship music, as I’ve shared before. Over the last few years, it’s really come to resonate with me. We have timeless worship songs in the form of traditional hymns and spirituals, which are wonderful ways to glorify God in song, but I love how contemporary worship is praising God in our own language. I appreciate how these artists translate Scripture into tunes that give God glory just the way we talk to Him today. It’s such a reminder that no era, no tradition, has a monopoly on methods of exalting the Creator with music. All nations, tribes and tongues can sing praises to the King of Kings in their own speak. And one day, believers from all over the world will be in heaven worshipping together as well. How awesome!
There’s one song in particular, Lovely, that I’ve been meditating on – in praise to God, and in thankfulness for the fact that He accepts worship from my heart in my own language. Lovely captures what I feel for God – He’s so amazing, I try to find the words to say about Him, but I can’t do Him justice with even my best ones. He’s just so…marvelous. Here are the lyrics to Lovely (and the music here).
I watch Your wonders fill the sky
Over the mountains reaching high
The same majesty floods my life
I stand in awe
Lovely, there is none more lovely
In all the universe, there is no one lovelier
Worthy, there is none more worthy
I try to find the words, there's so much more Your worthy of
Up on the cross with open arms
The love of God reaches far
The same majesty floods my heart
I stand in awe
As long as I live, I'll praise You
Name above all, be lifted high
All of my days, I worship You
I worship You
Lovely, You are lovely
There is no one, there is no one more worthy
You are worthy
I try to find the words, there is no one lovelier
There’s one song in particular, Lovely, that I’ve been meditating on – in praise to God, and in thankfulness for the fact that He accepts worship from my heart in my own language. Lovely captures what I feel for God – He’s so amazing, I try to find the words to say about Him, but I can’t do Him justice with even my best ones. He’s just so…marvelous. Here are the lyrics to Lovely (and the music here).
I watch Your wonders fill the sky
Over the mountains reaching high
The same majesty floods my life
I stand in awe
Lovely, there is none more lovely
In all the universe, there is no one lovelier
Worthy, there is none more worthy
I try to find the words, there's so much more Your worthy of
Up on the cross with open arms
The love of God reaches far
The same majesty floods my heart
I stand in awe
As long as I live, I'll praise You
Name above all, be lifted high
All of my days, I worship You
I worship You
Lovely, You are lovely
There is no one, there is no one more worthy
You are worthy
I try to find the words, there is no one lovelier
Lies, Sex, Texts and Tweets (Formerly Known as Sex, Lies & Videotape)
Jack Johnson. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Anthony Weiner. Although these are some of the latest politicians at the local, state and national levels whose dastardly deeds have seized news coverage, there will certainly be others. Listening to reports, I was reminded of a few of God’s principles about leaders and the need for us to guard our minds in a sex-saturated planet.
Leaders
Hearing about scandals involving politicians during the last few weeks, my first reaction, like many, was disgust. More stories about politicians doing stereotypically dishonest “politician” things such as taking kickbacks, sleeping with women not their wives – or cheating in some other way – and then trying to cover it up with lies before admitting to the truth, I thought. How many times do we have to keep hearing about scandals?
Yet as these thoughts came to mind, God also brought Romans 13 to me. Part of the oft-quoted passage on leaders, verses 1-2 & 6-7, reads,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves….This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
The lesson I was reminded of from this passage is to generally respect leadership. Leaders, even the unjust and corrupt ones, have been established by God. While it’s not wrong for us to acknowledge their reprehensible behavior, or even to speak out against it, biblically there is still a level of deference that we are called to give all leaders. In several of the recent cases the politicians embroiled in scandal have been– or will be – stripped of their authority and suffer consequences for their actions – as we all do – and God has a hand in their removal as well. But often, we can get caught up in feeling disillusion and disrespect for politicians to the point that we do not hold our leaders with regard as we should. We end up denigrating them rather than showing them honor.
One way that we can show our leaders deference is to pray for them – all of them. As I expressed my disgust, God also brought feelings of empathy – or at least sympathy – for political leaders. Many are in high-powered positions that often expose them to heightened temptations. When they give in, they not only face personal cost – but also affect their constituents. If they can be distracted, the focus can be taken away from the jobs they were placed in office to do. Scripture is clear that those who know Christ and walk in His ways can resist any temptation– even the ones that come with political leadership. But not all leaders have Christ, and many who do choose not to walk in His ways. And even the ones who do follow Him still need encouragement and accountability to stay the course – as we all do. When we pray for our leaders, we ask God to give them wisdom in the positions He’s placed them, regardless of their spiritual conditions. The Romans 13 mandate is not just about the most upright, God-honoring leaders – but all leaders!
Further, prayer for our leaders should not take a partisan bend. As I thought about all of the temptations that leaders face, I thought specifically about our current president. I was reminded of the need to pray for him continually. I also thought of the fact that many Christians I know are happy to pray for him because they voted for him, but there are many other Christians who seem to be incapable of even saying a single positive thing about him. In that moment I didn't think to judge either camp, but was reminded that our Romans 13 calling should not be based on whether the president you voted for is in office. Whether it’s George W. Bush or President Obama – if our next president is a Republican or Democrat – the calling doesn’t change. Despite the fact that it’s in vogue to speak only ill about those whom we disagree with politically, followers of Christ must hold a higher, biblical standard.
Sexting, Etc…
The other side of my rumination on politics was the sex part. The recent indecent sexual acts spotlighted in the media reminded me of the need for Christians to take a stand against the things that God hates, but in love.
A segment on Good Morning America discussing Congressman Weiner’s actions was the latest public issue to get me thinking about standing for sexual integrity. A psychologist was surmising on the “psychological” problems Weiner may be facing that led him to sext and tweet lewd messages. Attempting to characterize his problem, she commented, to the effect of, “If Anthony Weiner had just been looking at porn and then using those images to enhance his monogamous relationship, it would have been okay. The problem is that these messages are out of the context of monogamy…” That wasn’t the first time I’d heard the idea that pornography is okay – even “beneficial” to a “monogamous” relationship – but I will not stop being disgusted by it.
After flipping the channel, I continued to think about the many ways – beyond politics, that God’s paradigm for sex and relationships is distorted in media. It’s hard to turn on the television today without seeing some dramatization, report or interview, like the Good Morning America one, that embodies a model of sex and relationships that clearly contradicts Scripture. We can expect that from our world, but, unfortunately, Christians have bought into it also. I think we’ve come to suffer from “Super Hero” syndrome – we think we can ingest literature, entertainment, conversation, etc. - that contradicts God’s design for sex and expect that it won’t affect our ability to think and live Christ-like –especially in how we approach sex and romantic relationships (i.e., that the only thing that can make us stumble is something like kryptonite). Yet there’s plenty of evidence that it does!
I believe one important way to ensure we are following God’s paradigm of sex rather than the world’s, in the context of the attention surrounding the recent scandal, is by watching the media we fill our minds with. Colossians 3:2 says that we should set our minds on things above. Romans 12:2 says that we avoid being conformed to the pattern of this world by renewing our minds. We renew them by filling them with, as the apostle Paul says in Philippians, excellent, praiseworthy things. While I’m a serious proponent of the belief that The Gospel demands that we be relevant – knowing the signs of the times and engaging our culture – including awareness of what’s in the news, holiness requires that we be set apart- particularly in how we view sex and relationships.
Recently, I’ve really been convicted to pay even closer attention to what I watch on television. With the many ways that our world is trying to normalize sex and relationship paradigms that distort God’s principles, I really believe it’s important for us to avoid adopting – or even condoning -- those same ideas, even subtlety. Often, when we don’t watch what we read or listen to, over time those negative ideas take root in our minds and result in us thinking and acting contrary to God’s commands, especially in the area of relationships. We start to look at issues not from Scripture, but based on what sounds okay to us. Even as we love and engage our world, as we’re called to do, we constantly have to renew our minds in the process.
Our world often tells us that because God is Love, He accepts everything we do, as long as we’re not lying, cheating, stealing or killing. But if we as humans, as simple as we are compared to the Creator – can have standards, the God of the Universe must have them, too! And He’s established the standard for sexual integrity all up and through His Word! Followers of Christ have to uphold it!
I’ve had to part ways with some shows - dramas in particular - on television that I found entertaining - and caught when I could - because of the poor paradigms of sex and relationships they presented. As I tuned into these shows periodically, I kept finding the storylines had become increasingly contradictory to the principles I’m trying to live by through Christ. God reminded me that I gain absolutely nothing from entertainment that rejects His ways – in fact, I lose! These days my TV amusement, aside from news, is pretty much the Food Network – but, borrowing from a popular 90s Christian campaign, and my parents, I’m happy I can say that it would be totally cool for Jesus to come sit on the couch and watch any of my favs with me (especially Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, lol)!
Doing the Word
God calls us to love people, but our first command is to love Him. As we show others God’s goodness, we also have to take a stand for His righteousness. We pray for our leaders, even when they don’t care for their behavior. We also share Christ with others, but guard our minds. That’s how we stay set apart in a world that keeps finding new methods to bring the scandal.
Leaders
Hearing about scandals involving politicians during the last few weeks, my first reaction, like many, was disgust. More stories about politicians doing stereotypically dishonest “politician” things such as taking kickbacks, sleeping with women not their wives – or cheating in some other way – and then trying to cover it up with lies before admitting to the truth, I thought. How many times do we have to keep hearing about scandals?
Yet as these thoughts came to mind, God also brought Romans 13 to me. Part of the oft-quoted passage on leaders, verses 1-2 & 6-7, reads,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves….This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
The lesson I was reminded of from this passage is to generally respect leadership. Leaders, even the unjust and corrupt ones, have been established by God. While it’s not wrong for us to acknowledge their reprehensible behavior, or even to speak out against it, biblically there is still a level of deference that we are called to give all leaders. In several of the recent cases the politicians embroiled in scandal have been– or will be – stripped of their authority and suffer consequences for their actions – as we all do – and God has a hand in their removal as well. But often, we can get caught up in feeling disillusion and disrespect for politicians to the point that we do not hold our leaders with regard as we should. We end up denigrating them rather than showing them honor.
One way that we can show our leaders deference is to pray for them – all of them. As I expressed my disgust, God also brought feelings of empathy – or at least sympathy – for political leaders. Many are in high-powered positions that often expose them to heightened temptations. When they give in, they not only face personal cost – but also affect their constituents. If they can be distracted, the focus can be taken away from the jobs they were placed in office to do. Scripture is clear that those who know Christ and walk in His ways can resist any temptation– even the ones that come with political leadership. But not all leaders have Christ, and many who do choose not to walk in His ways. And even the ones who do follow Him still need encouragement and accountability to stay the course – as we all do. When we pray for our leaders, we ask God to give them wisdom in the positions He’s placed them, regardless of their spiritual conditions. The Romans 13 mandate is not just about the most upright, God-honoring leaders – but all leaders!
Further, prayer for our leaders should not take a partisan bend. As I thought about all of the temptations that leaders face, I thought specifically about our current president. I was reminded of the need to pray for him continually. I also thought of the fact that many Christians I know are happy to pray for him because they voted for him, but there are many other Christians who seem to be incapable of even saying a single positive thing about him. In that moment I didn't think to judge either camp, but was reminded that our Romans 13 calling should not be based on whether the president you voted for is in office. Whether it’s George W. Bush or President Obama – if our next president is a Republican or Democrat – the calling doesn’t change. Despite the fact that it’s in vogue to speak only ill about those whom we disagree with politically, followers of Christ must hold a higher, biblical standard.
Sexting, Etc…
The other side of my rumination on politics was the sex part. The recent indecent sexual acts spotlighted in the media reminded me of the need for Christians to take a stand against the things that God hates, but in love.
A segment on Good Morning America discussing Congressman Weiner’s actions was the latest public issue to get me thinking about standing for sexual integrity. A psychologist was surmising on the “psychological” problems Weiner may be facing that led him to sext and tweet lewd messages. Attempting to characterize his problem, she commented, to the effect of, “If Anthony Weiner had just been looking at porn and then using those images to enhance his monogamous relationship, it would have been okay. The problem is that these messages are out of the context of monogamy…” That wasn’t the first time I’d heard the idea that pornography is okay – even “beneficial” to a “monogamous” relationship – but I will not stop being disgusted by it.
After flipping the channel, I continued to think about the many ways – beyond politics, that God’s paradigm for sex and relationships is distorted in media. It’s hard to turn on the television today without seeing some dramatization, report or interview, like the Good Morning America one, that embodies a model of sex and relationships that clearly contradicts Scripture. We can expect that from our world, but, unfortunately, Christians have bought into it also. I think we’ve come to suffer from “Super Hero” syndrome – we think we can ingest literature, entertainment, conversation, etc. - that contradicts God’s design for sex and expect that it won’t affect our ability to think and live Christ-like –especially in how we approach sex and romantic relationships (i.e., that the only thing that can make us stumble is something like kryptonite). Yet there’s plenty of evidence that it does!
I believe one important way to ensure we are following God’s paradigm of sex rather than the world’s, in the context of the attention surrounding the recent scandal, is by watching the media we fill our minds with. Colossians 3:2 says that we should set our minds on things above. Romans 12:2 says that we avoid being conformed to the pattern of this world by renewing our minds. We renew them by filling them with, as the apostle Paul says in Philippians, excellent, praiseworthy things. While I’m a serious proponent of the belief that The Gospel demands that we be relevant – knowing the signs of the times and engaging our culture – including awareness of what’s in the news, holiness requires that we be set apart- particularly in how we view sex and relationships.
Recently, I’ve really been convicted to pay even closer attention to what I watch on television. With the many ways that our world is trying to normalize sex and relationship paradigms that distort God’s principles, I really believe it’s important for us to avoid adopting – or even condoning -- those same ideas, even subtlety. Often, when we don’t watch what we read or listen to, over time those negative ideas take root in our minds and result in us thinking and acting contrary to God’s commands, especially in the area of relationships. We start to look at issues not from Scripture, but based on what sounds okay to us. Even as we love and engage our world, as we’re called to do, we constantly have to renew our minds in the process.
Our world often tells us that because God is Love, He accepts everything we do, as long as we’re not lying, cheating, stealing or killing. But if we as humans, as simple as we are compared to the Creator – can have standards, the God of the Universe must have them, too! And He’s established the standard for sexual integrity all up and through His Word! Followers of Christ have to uphold it!
I’ve had to part ways with some shows - dramas in particular - on television that I found entertaining - and caught when I could - because of the poor paradigms of sex and relationships they presented. As I tuned into these shows periodically, I kept finding the storylines had become increasingly contradictory to the principles I’m trying to live by through Christ. God reminded me that I gain absolutely nothing from entertainment that rejects His ways – in fact, I lose! These days my TV amusement, aside from news, is pretty much the Food Network – but, borrowing from a popular 90s Christian campaign, and my parents, I’m happy I can say that it would be totally cool for Jesus to come sit on the couch and watch any of my favs with me (especially Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, lol)!
Doing the Word
God calls us to love people, but our first command is to love Him. As we show others God’s goodness, we also have to take a stand for His righteousness. We pray for our leaders, even when they don’t care for their behavior. We also share Christ with others, but guard our minds. That’s how we stay set apart in a world that keeps finding new methods to bring the scandal.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
All 66
Growing up I remember having “Sword Drills” at church and school.
In case you’re unfamiliar, the “drill” began by contestants, myself and classmates, holding our Bibles, or “Swords” (as described in Ephesians 6: 17), in the air. A teacher would state a reference (e.g., “Matthew 6:33”), which all participants had to repeat aloud, in unison. Then the teacher would say “go!” At that moment – not a nanosecond before– Bibles could be lowered. The first person to find the passage and begin reading it aloud was the round winner. We usually had several rounds, and the top few competitors would have their own single elimination competition that the rest of the class watched in suspense. Winners were always handsomely rewarded (think handfuls of candy; choice pickings from a treasure chest of toy prizes or even extra credit toward a final grade in Bible Class). Knowing the Books of the Bible from memory was essential for optimal performance.
Fast Forward…
Even now, when I’m looking up a Bible passage I always feel like I’m in a race (although now against myself) to get to it as fast as possible. The exercise reminds me how important it is to know where each Book of the Bible belongs. But after completing my read through the Bible in a little over three months this week, every Book I recite in my head on the way to finding a passage will mean more than before.
I truly believe that reading through the Bible for the first time is one of the most important completions of my life – and, like Sword Drills growing up, now has a significant piece of the larger story of my lifetime experience with God’s Word. Not only have I learned tremendously throughout the read, it will also revolutionize my personal time in The Word. I am so excited to share, right here, just some of the ways God has used the experience in my life.
God So Loved the World…
One revelation I’ve gained is such a deeper understanding of God’s heart for the whole world. In particular, the lengths that God went to pursue His chosen people, the Israelites, despite their boldfaced rebellion – the times He showed mercy, over, and over, again – make one of the most popular verses (if not the most popular) - John 3:16 – and verse 17 - come alive. As the whole story of Scripture portrays, God’s love is not limited to Israel, but extends to all of humanity.
After reading the Old Testament, I am so thankful to be on this side of Grace. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, I am no longer an enemy of God but am reconciled through faith in Jesus Christ. The Son took all my sin on Himself, and I now have direct access to the Father, and His Spirit lives inside of me. I am totally free to make the best, most godly choices– not out of an obligation to follow the law, but because I know that it is the key to honoring my Maker – who deserves all the honor – and to living the most wonderful, abundant life that only He can give. The Cross is more than just “insurance” for when I don’t follow the law or some commandments, it’s my access to a new, eternal life. I've been refreshed by this reminder!
God Loves Me and You.
The plans God had for Israel also have made me understand the promises that God has for me better. That popular verse, Jeremiah 29:11, says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” My New Testament corollary is 1 Corinthians 2:9, which gives us hope for both this life, and the One to come: “However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
I really saw God use the read in my life so far beyond what I had imagined. At the start of this year, I spent time committing it to Him, including setting some spiritual goals. As I mentioned about that time, I had a goal to “recharge” my spiritual life by meditating on His Word deeper through Scripture memory. Reading God’s Word more was not near the top of my list– there were other areas of my spiritual health that I thought needed greater improvement – such as fasting and prayer. However, when my church started the “New Thru 30” read of the New Testament in 30 days, I really saw it as God, in His far greater knowledge of what I needed, answering my prayer to get deeper into His Word. I knew I had to embrace the challenge. As God opened my eyes to so many truths in His Word during that read, I also felt Him tugging at my heart to keep reading The Old Testament, and at that pace.
God used the stories in His Word about so many ordinary people like me to show me what He can do through me when I seek Him. He’s renewed my mind – and heart – to grasp the promises in His Word, and reminded me not to grow weary in doing good.
I’ve also seen Him bless the added time in His Word by working on the spiritual goals I set just a few short months ago. For example, in such a short period, I’ve gotten deeper into prayer both personally and corporately than I have in long time. He’s also been using me in different, new ways in ministry just the last couple months. I’m grasping more deeply what it means to abide – rest– in Him. It has truly been a very joyful time – my spirit is so light, and God is opening my eyes to even greater needs around me. If I could sum up where God has been taking me during my read in a few verses, they would be Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 119:105. The Word is awesome!
Witnessing the entire Story of Redemption, cover to cover (or, in my case, Part 2 to Part 1), has also reminded me that God knows exactly what He is doing – something that we can be prone to forget – especially when He does not do something when we, in our very limited knowledge, think He should. The phrase God spoke to me strongly about during this read is that “ He is not a dummy, He’s not slow, He’s not in a need of an attitude check” – things that most of us would never say to God directly, but things we say to Him indirectly when we don’t trust exactly where He has us in life – and behaviors that we, by contrast, display at some point. Reading through all of Scripture declares God’s glory and fame – and His power to accomplish any and everything He wills for us. And what He says, He does. Being reminded of this truth during my read has renewed my trust in all He does. His ways are never lacking!
The Whole Word.
Another thing I’ve gained is just a greater appreciation for the complete counsel of God’s Word. As one pastor put it, it can be so easy to, intentionally or not, be “salad bar” Scripture readers – pick certain sections, topics or passages in the Bible that resonate with us or “inspire” us most, while overlooking others that may seem boring, irrelevant, or off putting in some other way. Particularly, I think it can be easy to overlook Old Testament Books of Prophecy, or just focus on choice verses from those Books. My read has reminded me that God has so much to teach us in every single book of the Bible.
For example, the lessons available from the entire Book of Jeremiah. I love the ever-popular Jeremiah 29:11 (and am aware that I totally quoted it in this entry already, lol. It really does sum up that book exceptionally well- I know you did that, too- God:)) and verse 13, which is not far behind on the popularity index. However, reading the whole book I learned so much about what Jeremiah had to endure to tell the people of Judah the very unpopular message from God that they needed to repent or face judgment (I will hit some of my favs from this Book when I continue the Old Testament Awards). I don’t believe I had ever read this whole, awesome book before!
Or take the imagery God used in giving the Israelites another message through the prophet Ezekiel. I will never forget a childhood musical about the “dry bones,” but there’s even more symbolism to study in the whole book than a Shakespeare play or a tale by Edgar Allen Poe – and with far more importance and relevance.
I’m also excited to spend more time studying books such as Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi – not just rattle them off in a speed contest to recite the last several books of the Old Testament. God’s Word truly stands forever, and there is more than enough material for us to study for our lifetimes.
Reading the whole Bible has also made me understand more how God’s Word displays His greatness. It’s fascinating to have read how God orchestrated – and preserved – the entire cannon of Scripture – every single book from Genesis to Revelation – over centuries – and how the entire story fits together for our good. Throughout both the Old and the New Testament, there are many stories that are repeated in different books by different authors who were all moved by the Holy Spirit. Before my read I noted this more easily in The Gospels – but I am much more aware of the repetition throughout Scripture. As one pastor put it, it’s not because God had amnesia – but because He wanted to remind us humans – the folks who do have a problem with forgetfulness – of principles from these stories that we need to apply in order to live righteous. I was reminded of the purpose of God's Word described so well (at God's direction, of course:)) in Romans 15:4:
4For (A)whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (NKJV)
For(A) whatever was written in former days was written for our(B) instruction, that through endurance and through(C) the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (ESV)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (NLT)
Praise God that every repetition in His Word is for our guidance – to which we must pay attention!
Campaign
Since starting my read I’ve been on a mission to share my testimony from it. As the pastor of Elevation Church, whose team created the “New Thru 30” program, said in his sermon series by the same name (a series I think is PHE-nomenal), reading through the Word at a challenging pace has been like a rigorous spiritual “fitness” plan or boot camp (like an “Insanity” or “P90X’ workout for your Life in Christ:)). As with those intense, short-term physical exercise programs, it’s designed for all spiritual levels – from people who need to tone existing spiritual muscles to those who need to shed serious pounds of spiritual fat – and everyone somewhere in between. Until we die, we can always improve our spiritual fitness level!
A question I’ve gotten while sharing my experience is whether I was actually able to absorb the average of 10-14 chapters of Scripture a day that are required for a short-term read through the Bible, and if in depth study of Scripture over a longer period is a better route. As this and other entries indicate, my answer is there’s a place for both kinds of reading – and I believe in doing both. As I’ve already shared, the purpose of a short-term read through the Bible is not to understand every single word and root word in Scripture – it’s to grasp the bigger picture of God’s plan for humanity – including your own life – in a way that you do not necessarily get from just reading – even dissecting – a few verses a day. And, also as I discussed, God divinely organized Scripture to repeat key lessons. Whenever you don’t get a story the first time you see it in a short-term read through the Bible, you might see it again – and again – or a similar principle – and get it the next time.
Moreover, because God’s Word is living - active, it's a good reminder that we can learn new things from reading the same passage many different times – we may do a really in depth study of a passage one time and learn something from it, but then have God teach us something completely different another time. And even if you revisit lessons you have already learned, it’s another chance to inventory whether you’re applying it. Reading His Word in different ways is an avenue for God to add another dimension to your understanding of Scripture – and increase your faith in the process!
On the other hand, the read is also good way to flag areas of Scripture that you’ve been neglecting for further study later. As I said, my read showed me that I need to spend far more time reading the Books of Prophecy. Another book on my study list is Proverbs. Also, as you read you can take notes about anything that really strikes you for further meditation (for me it’s how I came up with the notes to compile the “OldT” Awards that I’ll be continuing). We never run out of growth material from God’s Word!
Just Do It!
Further, if you’re worried about having time to read daily, you’ll also be reminded of another lesson: you can make time for anything you really want to do. For most days, you’ll need no more than one hour to complete the reading. Think of the amount of social networking, texting, personal e-mailing or phone calling, leisure reading, or television watching that you might do in a day – which probably amounts to at least one hour, probably more. Just transfer that time to Bible reading –perhaps 20 minutes in the morning, 20 during the day and 20 at the end of the day. You can make it happen!
Of course, this isn’t to say that you won’t ever get behind every now and then – but if you make a firm commitment never to lag more than a day or two, you will always catch up! The read is also an exercise in making a commitment and sticking to it – which we’re called to do in everything we say we'll do!
A short-term read of the whole Bible also challenges your perception of what you think “a lot” of daily Bible reading is, and makes it easier to make spending more time in God’s Word a permanent change. I can attest: after reading more than 10 chapters a day for a few months, I now have no problem with reading the three or so chapters of the Bible daily that I would need to complete a year-long read through the Bible. I couldn’t have said that three months ago!
Assists
If you’re considering the read and need a plan, here are some motivational links! As I’ve mentioned before, YouVersion.com has short and long term reading plans (including the “New Thru 30” and “Bible in 90 days” Plans). You can also modify any plan to your liking (e.g., do a 90-day plan in 120 days. Personally, I modified my Old Testament read by about 10 days). It’s Your Version! Additionally, plans are mobile device compatible (iPhone, iPad, BB, Android, Palm, Mobile Web – and more)!
I also recommend checking out the “New Thru 30” messages from Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church. They’re available here (“New Thru 30”, 1/8/10 – 1/29/10; Currently Nos. 72-68; No. 69 a guest) (on another note, I also really like some messages in their current series, “Mr. & Mrs. Betterhalf” – I think they’re worth checking out too!). You can also download from iTunes on your iPhone– Podcasts> Elevation Church, Charlotte North Carolina>[Download the messages]. They reminded me that God’s Word is the true source of wisdom – not age, life experience or anything else the world says!
Momentum
After this incredible spiritual workout, I feel the burn – I’m like, totally stuffed, yet trim, with revelation! It’s been so incredible that reading through the Bible will now become part of my spiritual fitness regimen – a “lifestyle” change, if you will. This next go round I’m going to slow my roll a bit and focus more on meditation with a longer program. But whenever I start to loosen up – or perhaps at the beginning of each year – I’ll go back to the more rigorous training schedule. I am excited to see what God has for me next! I’ll also keep reflecting on my completed read on this blog with the “OldT” Awards.
All 66
The promises of God – found in His Word – are what believers in Christ have to live by that no one else does. When we don’t know – and meditate – on God’s promises, our faith is on shaky ground. If we do not know the promises of God and live by them, we cannot expect to do “supernatural” things such as resist temptation; think or live different from the rest of the world; be joyful in all circumstances, rather than beaten by the trials of life; love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength – live full, abundant lives that honor Him.
Living – standing – on and by His promises - is what leads us to live our calling. If we truly want to follow Him every day, we have no option but to know His Word. It is truly alive, working and able to change even the worst issues in our hearts. And He wants to use all 66 books of it in the process.
In case you’re unfamiliar, the “drill” began by contestants, myself and classmates, holding our Bibles, or “Swords” (as described in Ephesians 6: 17), in the air. A teacher would state a reference (e.g., “Matthew 6:33”), which all participants had to repeat aloud, in unison. Then the teacher would say “go!” At that moment – not a nanosecond before– Bibles could be lowered. The first person to find the passage and begin reading it aloud was the round winner. We usually had several rounds, and the top few competitors would have their own single elimination competition that the rest of the class watched in suspense. Winners were always handsomely rewarded (think handfuls of candy; choice pickings from a treasure chest of toy prizes or even extra credit toward a final grade in Bible Class). Knowing the Books of the Bible from memory was essential for optimal performance.
Fast Forward…
Even now, when I’m looking up a Bible passage I always feel like I’m in a race (although now against myself) to get to it as fast as possible. The exercise reminds me how important it is to know where each Book of the Bible belongs. But after completing my read through the Bible in a little over three months this week, every Book I recite in my head on the way to finding a passage will mean more than before.
I truly believe that reading through the Bible for the first time is one of the most important completions of my life – and, like Sword Drills growing up, now has a significant piece of the larger story of my lifetime experience with God’s Word. Not only have I learned tremendously throughout the read, it will also revolutionize my personal time in The Word. I am so excited to share, right here, just some of the ways God has used the experience in my life.
God So Loved the World…
One revelation I’ve gained is such a deeper understanding of God’s heart for the whole world. In particular, the lengths that God went to pursue His chosen people, the Israelites, despite their boldfaced rebellion – the times He showed mercy, over, and over, again – make one of the most popular verses (if not the most popular) - John 3:16 – and verse 17 - come alive. As the whole story of Scripture portrays, God’s love is not limited to Israel, but extends to all of humanity.
After reading the Old Testament, I am so thankful to be on this side of Grace. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, I am no longer an enemy of God but am reconciled through faith in Jesus Christ. The Son took all my sin on Himself, and I now have direct access to the Father, and His Spirit lives inside of me. I am totally free to make the best, most godly choices– not out of an obligation to follow the law, but because I know that it is the key to honoring my Maker – who deserves all the honor – and to living the most wonderful, abundant life that only He can give. The Cross is more than just “insurance” for when I don’t follow the law or some commandments, it’s my access to a new, eternal life. I've been refreshed by this reminder!
God Loves Me and You.
The plans God had for Israel also have made me understand the promises that God has for me better. That popular verse, Jeremiah 29:11, says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” My New Testament corollary is 1 Corinthians 2:9, which gives us hope for both this life, and the One to come: “However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
I really saw God use the read in my life so far beyond what I had imagined. At the start of this year, I spent time committing it to Him, including setting some spiritual goals. As I mentioned about that time, I had a goal to “recharge” my spiritual life by meditating on His Word deeper through Scripture memory. Reading God’s Word more was not near the top of my list– there were other areas of my spiritual health that I thought needed greater improvement – such as fasting and prayer. However, when my church started the “New Thru 30” read of the New Testament in 30 days, I really saw it as God, in His far greater knowledge of what I needed, answering my prayer to get deeper into His Word. I knew I had to embrace the challenge. As God opened my eyes to so many truths in His Word during that read, I also felt Him tugging at my heart to keep reading The Old Testament, and at that pace.
God used the stories in His Word about so many ordinary people like me to show me what He can do through me when I seek Him. He’s renewed my mind – and heart – to grasp the promises in His Word, and reminded me not to grow weary in doing good.
I’ve also seen Him bless the added time in His Word by working on the spiritual goals I set just a few short months ago. For example, in such a short period, I’ve gotten deeper into prayer both personally and corporately than I have in long time. He’s also been using me in different, new ways in ministry just the last couple months. I’m grasping more deeply what it means to abide – rest– in Him. It has truly been a very joyful time – my spirit is so light, and God is opening my eyes to even greater needs around me. If I could sum up where God has been taking me during my read in a few verses, they would be Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 119:105. The Word is awesome!
Witnessing the entire Story of Redemption, cover to cover (or, in my case, Part 2 to Part 1), has also reminded me that God knows exactly what He is doing – something that we can be prone to forget – especially when He does not do something when we, in our very limited knowledge, think He should. The phrase God spoke to me strongly about during this read is that “ He is not a dummy, He’s not slow, He’s not in a need of an attitude check” – things that most of us would never say to God directly, but things we say to Him indirectly when we don’t trust exactly where He has us in life – and behaviors that we, by contrast, display at some point. Reading through all of Scripture declares God’s glory and fame – and His power to accomplish any and everything He wills for us. And what He says, He does. Being reminded of this truth during my read has renewed my trust in all He does. His ways are never lacking!
The Whole Word.
Another thing I’ve gained is just a greater appreciation for the complete counsel of God’s Word. As one pastor put it, it can be so easy to, intentionally or not, be “salad bar” Scripture readers – pick certain sections, topics or passages in the Bible that resonate with us or “inspire” us most, while overlooking others that may seem boring, irrelevant, or off putting in some other way. Particularly, I think it can be easy to overlook Old Testament Books of Prophecy, or just focus on choice verses from those Books. My read has reminded me that God has so much to teach us in every single book of the Bible.
For example, the lessons available from the entire Book of Jeremiah. I love the ever-popular Jeremiah 29:11 (and am aware that I totally quoted it in this entry already, lol. It really does sum up that book exceptionally well- I know you did that, too- God:)) and verse 13, which is not far behind on the popularity index. However, reading the whole book I learned so much about what Jeremiah had to endure to tell the people of Judah the very unpopular message from God that they needed to repent or face judgment (I will hit some of my favs from this Book when I continue the Old Testament Awards). I don’t believe I had ever read this whole, awesome book before!
Or take the imagery God used in giving the Israelites another message through the prophet Ezekiel. I will never forget a childhood musical about the “dry bones,” but there’s even more symbolism to study in the whole book than a Shakespeare play or a tale by Edgar Allen Poe – and with far more importance and relevance.
I’m also excited to spend more time studying books such as Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi – not just rattle them off in a speed contest to recite the last several books of the Old Testament. God’s Word truly stands forever, and there is more than enough material for us to study for our lifetimes.
Reading the whole Bible has also made me understand more how God’s Word displays His greatness. It’s fascinating to have read how God orchestrated – and preserved – the entire cannon of Scripture – every single book from Genesis to Revelation – over centuries – and how the entire story fits together for our good. Throughout both the Old and the New Testament, there are many stories that are repeated in different books by different authors who were all moved by the Holy Spirit. Before my read I noted this more easily in The Gospels – but I am much more aware of the repetition throughout Scripture. As one pastor put it, it’s not because God had amnesia – but because He wanted to remind us humans – the folks who do have a problem with forgetfulness – of principles from these stories that we need to apply in order to live righteous. I was reminded of the purpose of God's Word described so well (at God's direction, of course:)) in Romans 15:4:
4For (A)whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (NKJV)
For(A) whatever was written in former days was written for our(B) instruction, that through endurance and through(C) the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (ESV)
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (NLT)
Praise God that every repetition in His Word is for our guidance – to which we must pay attention!
Campaign
Since starting my read I’ve been on a mission to share my testimony from it. As the pastor of Elevation Church, whose team created the “New Thru 30” program, said in his sermon series by the same name (a series I think is PHE-nomenal), reading through the Word at a challenging pace has been like a rigorous spiritual “fitness” plan or boot camp (like an “Insanity” or “P90X’ workout for your Life in Christ:)). As with those intense, short-term physical exercise programs, it’s designed for all spiritual levels – from people who need to tone existing spiritual muscles to those who need to shed serious pounds of spiritual fat – and everyone somewhere in between. Until we die, we can always improve our spiritual fitness level!
A question I’ve gotten while sharing my experience is whether I was actually able to absorb the average of 10-14 chapters of Scripture a day that are required for a short-term read through the Bible, and if in depth study of Scripture over a longer period is a better route. As this and other entries indicate, my answer is there’s a place for both kinds of reading – and I believe in doing both. As I’ve already shared, the purpose of a short-term read through the Bible is not to understand every single word and root word in Scripture – it’s to grasp the bigger picture of God’s plan for humanity – including your own life – in a way that you do not necessarily get from just reading – even dissecting – a few verses a day. And, also as I discussed, God divinely organized Scripture to repeat key lessons. Whenever you don’t get a story the first time you see it in a short-term read through the Bible, you might see it again – and again – or a similar principle – and get it the next time.
Moreover, because God’s Word is living - active, it's a good reminder that we can learn new things from reading the same passage many different times – we may do a really in depth study of a passage one time and learn something from it, but then have God teach us something completely different another time. And even if you revisit lessons you have already learned, it’s another chance to inventory whether you’re applying it. Reading His Word in different ways is an avenue for God to add another dimension to your understanding of Scripture – and increase your faith in the process!
On the other hand, the read is also good way to flag areas of Scripture that you’ve been neglecting for further study later. As I said, my read showed me that I need to spend far more time reading the Books of Prophecy. Another book on my study list is Proverbs. Also, as you read you can take notes about anything that really strikes you for further meditation (for me it’s how I came up with the notes to compile the “OldT” Awards that I’ll be continuing). We never run out of growth material from God’s Word!
Just Do It!
Further, if you’re worried about having time to read daily, you’ll also be reminded of another lesson: you can make time for anything you really want to do. For most days, you’ll need no more than one hour to complete the reading. Think of the amount of social networking, texting, personal e-mailing or phone calling, leisure reading, or television watching that you might do in a day – which probably amounts to at least one hour, probably more. Just transfer that time to Bible reading –perhaps 20 minutes in the morning, 20 during the day and 20 at the end of the day. You can make it happen!
Of course, this isn’t to say that you won’t ever get behind every now and then – but if you make a firm commitment never to lag more than a day or two, you will always catch up! The read is also an exercise in making a commitment and sticking to it – which we’re called to do in everything we say we'll do!
A short-term read of the whole Bible also challenges your perception of what you think “a lot” of daily Bible reading is, and makes it easier to make spending more time in God’s Word a permanent change. I can attest: after reading more than 10 chapters a day for a few months, I now have no problem with reading the three or so chapters of the Bible daily that I would need to complete a year-long read through the Bible. I couldn’t have said that three months ago!
Assists
If you’re considering the read and need a plan, here are some motivational links! As I’ve mentioned before, YouVersion.com has short and long term reading plans (including the “New Thru 30” and “Bible in 90 days” Plans). You can also modify any plan to your liking (e.g., do a 90-day plan in 120 days. Personally, I modified my Old Testament read by about 10 days). It’s Your Version! Additionally, plans are mobile device compatible (iPhone, iPad, BB, Android, Palm, Mobile Web – and more)!
I also recommend checking out the “New Thru 30” messages from Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church. They’re available here (“New Thru 30”, 1/8/10 – 1/29/10; Currently Nos. 72-68; No. 69 a guest) (on another note, I also really like some messages in their current series, “Mr. & Mrs. Betterhalf” – I think they’re worth checking out too!). You can also download from iTunes on your iPhone– Podcasts> Elevation Church, Charlotte North Carolina>[Download the messages]. They reminded me that God’s Word is the true source of wisdom – not age, life experience or anything else the world says!
Momentum
After this incredible spiritual workout, I feel the burn – I’m like, totally stuffed, yet trim, with revelation! It’s been so incredible that reading through the Bible will now become part of my spiritual fitness regimen – a “lifestyle” change, if you will. This next go round I’m going to slow my roll a bit and focus more on meditation with a longer program. But whenever I start to loosen up – or perhaps at the beginning of each year – I’ll go back to the more rigorous training schedule. I am excited to see what God has for me next! I’ll also keep reflecting on my completed read on this blog with the “OldT” Awards.
All 66
The promises of God – found in His Word – are what believers in Christ have to live by that no one else does. When we don’t know – and meditate – on God’s promises, our faith is on shaky ground. If we do not know the promises of God and live by them, we cannot expect to do “supernatural” things such as resist temptation; think or live different from the rest of the world; be joyful in all circumstances, rather than beaten by the trials of life; love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength – live full, abundant lives that honor Him.
Living – standing – on and by His promises - is what leads us to live our calling. If we truly want to follow Him every day, we have no option but to know His Word. It is truly alive, working and able to change even the worst issues in our hearts. And He wants to use all 66 books of it in the process.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
OldT Awards, Part 2
I'm back to reflecting on my read through the Old Testament. I am excited to be rounding the books and chapters - right now I'm in Isaiah, and learning new lessons from that book, too!
VIEWERS’ CHOICE: GOD, “THE FAMOUS ONE”
Foreign Nations, to God
You’ve probably heard “Famous One” used to describe God. I hear it most often in worship songs. But before now I did not pay much attention to references to this description of God in the Bible. When God worked miracles to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, such as The Ten Plagues; parting the Red Sea and the pillars of smoke and fire to guide the Israelites as they fled; and later leading them to defeat their enemies in battle - often in instances where they were greatly outnumbered – The God of Israel received a reputation among other nations that inspired fear and awe. These foreign nations “viewed” – firsthand - His greatness.
A comment by one group in particular, the Gibeonites, stands out. Some of their men came to see Joshua, Moses’ successor, after God used him to lead the Israelites to conquer and possess Canaan, The Promised Land. The purpose of their visit was to deceive their neighbor Israel into making a treaty with them to avoid being attacked by Israel. Despite the "ruse" (v.4) by which they visited, the Gibeonites meant the words they said to Joshua about God in Chapter 9: 8-10 of his book:
BEST ADJECTIVE TO DESCRIBE A WAYWARD PEOPLE: “STIFF NECKED”
God, to the Israelites
One of the key aspects of reading through the Old Testament is observing God’s relationship with the Israelites. I have a better understanding of just how much of a heart God has for His people – and us – and just how many chances He kept giving them to change their behavior before they had to face the consequences of their sin.
Before God brought the Israelites into the Promised Land, he gave them laws through Moses. God implored the people to follow all of them carefully, not turning to the right or the left, and said, many, many times, that their obedience would be the key to their lives flourishing. Yet even before all the laws were given, the Israelites had already determined to go their own way. Just a couple sequences where “stiff-necked” is used to describe them:
Sequence 1
When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God in Exodus, God informed him that, down below, the people, believing that he had been gone too long, built a golden calf to be their god:
Despite their disobedience, God still gave the Israelites the land He promised their forefathers after they spent forty years wandering in the desert as a result of their sin, including their disbelief, until the older generation that had tested God in the desert died there. Not long before their children entered the Promised Land, God reminded the Israelites of their wayward character, describing it using the award-capturing adjectives (Deuteronomy 9: 5-7):
It’s such a great reminder of God’s faithfulness despite our sin, but also that we avoid wandering – and missing out on God’s amazing promises that will be fulfilled anyway, with or without us – when we choose obedience first. Obedience is life!
WORST DISS*: ISRAELITES, TO GOD
*Think middle school in the 90s
Entering The Promised Land after wandering in the desert forty years did not stop the Israelites from choosing death – rather than life – through sin.
As God had predicted through Moses and Joshua, the Israelites chose to follow the foreign gods the other nationalities in their new land worshipped rather than God. Their disobedience started the “Judges” cycle, described in that book of the Bible, that we have probably all heard about: After rebelling against God in spite of His repeated, repeated warnings not to go astray, He punished their sin by having other nations sweep in and attack them. Then, they would cry out to God, and, in His love and compassion, He would bring them judges who delivered them from their enemies. However, once all was well, they would return to their sins – often committing even more than before. After watching them desecrate His laws, He would deliver them into their enemies’ hands again, restarting the cycle.
Near the end of that period, God appointed Samuel (born of his previously barren mother, Hannah, who dedicated his life to God). Samuel served as both a prophet and a judge over the people. However, when Samuel got old and tried to hand leadership of his people over to his sons, who were wayward, the Israelites saw this as an opportunity to get a much desired regime change. They said to Samuel, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (I Samuel 8:5).
The Bible says that Samuel was displeased by their request (v. 6), so he prayed to the Lord about it. God said something in response that really struck me:
As God instructed, Samuel explained the implications of a rule by a king. Just as had been done by Joshua and Moses, He told Israel that choosing their own path in spite of God’s warnings would not end well. In summing up his advice, Samuel said of the future king and the Israelites: “He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.” (vv. 17-18).
Israel’s Response:
Imagine being in God’s position – wanting so much for your people to choose you, knowing that you would provide for them, even miraculously, just as your "fame" had in the past– but being flat out rejected -- and having to see your creations pave a path to unnecessary suffering as a result. That’s what Israel experienced in the years – and pages – that followed – and it’s just like what we do to God when we plead for things that He knows are not the best for us – and often, are not even good.
At times He gives us those wants, just as He did for the Israelites, to help us understand why we should not have had them in the first place. And, as evidenced through the lives of the Israelites, He may allow us to face the consequences of our detrimental wants - but He never stops loving us. This truth highlights still more about God’s character – His heart, and His patience. Throughout the Old Testament, these aspects of His character are repeated. Take Psalm 103: 8-10:
The Awards Continue…
VIEWERS’ CHOICE: GOD, “THE FAMOUS ONE”
Foreign Nations, to God
You’ve probably heard “Famous One” used to describe God. I hear it most often in worship songs. But before now I did not pay much attention to references to this description of God in the Bible. When God worked miracles to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, such as The Ten Plagues; parting the Red Sea and the pillars of smoke and fire to guide the Israelites as they fled; and later leading them to defeat their enemies in battle - often in instances where they were greatly outnumbered – The God of Israel received a reputation among other nations that inspired fear and awe. These foreign nations “viewed” – firsthand - His greatness.
A comment by one group in particular, the Gibeonites, stands out. Some of their men came to see Joshua, Moses’ successor, after God used him to lead the Israelites to conquer and possess Canaan, The Promised Land. The purpose of their visit was to deceive their neighbor Israel into making a treaty with them to avoid being attacked by Israel. Despite the "ruse" (v.4) by which they visited, the Gibeonites meant the words they said to Joshua about God in Chapter 9: 8-10 of his book:
8 “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua.I was so struck by that because I love reflecting on the many attributes of God, often revealed through His names in The Bible. The description of God as "famous" makes me understand His power, greatness and renown. I am filled with so much pride that This God of Israel that so many nations more than buzzed about is my God, too! And even today, Our God shows His awesomeness all over the world, in all creation. Famous!
But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”
9 They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.
BEST ADJECTIVE TO DESCRIBE A WAYWARD PEOPLE: “STIFF NECKED”
God, to the Israelites
One of the key aspects of reading through the Old Testament is observing God’s relationship with the Israelites. I have a better understanding of just how much of a heart God has for His people – and us – and just how many chances He kept giving them to change their behavior before they had to face the consequences of their sin.
Before God brought the Israelites into the Promised Land, he gave them laws through Moses. God implored the people to follow all of them carefully, not turning to the right or the left, and said, many, many times, that their obedience would be the key to their lives flourishing. Yet even before all the laws were given, the Israelites had already determined to go their own way. Just a couple sequences where “stiff-necked” is used to describe them:
Sequence 1
When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God in Exodus, God informed him that, down below, the people, believing that he had been gone too long, built a golden calf to be their god:
9 “I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”Sequence 2
Despite their disobedience, God still gave the Israelites the land He promised their forefathers after they spent forty years wandering in the desert as a result of their sin, including their disbelief, until the older generation that had tested God in the desert died there. Not long before their children entered the Promised Land, God reminded the Israelites of their wayward character, describing it using the award-capturing adjectives (Deuteronomy 9: 5-7):
5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
It’s such a great reminder of God’s faithfulness despite our sin, but also that we avoid wandering – and missing out on God’s amazing promises that will be fulfilled anyway, with or without us – when we choose obedience first. Obedience is life!
WORST DISS*: ISRAELITES, TO GOD
*Think middle school in the 90s
Entering The Promised Land after wandering in the desert forty years did not stop the Israelites from choosing death – rather than life – through sin.
As God had predicted through Moses and Joshua, the Israelites chose to follow the foreign gods the other nationalities in their new land worshipped rather than God. Their disobedience started the “Judges” cycle, described in that book of the Bible, that we have probably all heard about: After rebelling against God in spite of His repeated, repeated warnings not to go astray, He punished their sin by having other nations sweep in and attack them. Then, they would cry out to God, and, in His love and compassion, He would bring them judges who delivered them from their enemies. However, once all was well, they would return to their sins – often committing even more than before. After watching them desecrate His laws, He would deliver them into their enemies’ hands again, restarting the cycle.
Near the end of that period, God appointed Samuel (born of his previously barren mother, Hannah, who dedicated his life to God). Samuel served as both a prophet and a judge over the people. However, when Samuel got old and tried to hand leadership of his people over to his sons, who were wayward, the Israelites saw this as an opportunity to get a much desired regime change. They said to Samuel, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have” (I Samuel 8:5).
The Bible says that Samuel was displeased by their request (v. 6), so he prayed to the Lord about it. God said something in response that really struck me:
“Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” (vv. 7-9)God knew that having rule by a king, a monarchy, rather than a theocracy, rule by Him, the people would become subjects to the monarch in an oppressive way.
As God instructed, Samuel explained the implications of a rule by a king. Just as had been done by Joshua and Moses, He told Israel that choosing their own path in spite of God’s warnings would not end well. In summing up his advice, Samuel said of the future king and the Israelites: “He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.” (vv. 17-18).
Israel’s Response:
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”Reading this “Diss” reminded me of something I like to reflect on, lest I forget: God has a heart, too. He desired to lead His people, provide for them, give them all they ever could need, but they rejected Him, the All-Wise God, and chose what they thought was best for themselves - what everyone else had.
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go back to his town.”
Imagine being in God’s position – wanting so much for your people to choose you, knowing that you would provide for them, even miraculously, just as your "fame" had in the past– but being flat out rejected -- and having to see your creations pave a path to unnecessary suffering as a result. That’s what Israel experienced in the years – and pages – that followed – and it’s just like what we do to God when we plead for things that He knows are not the best for us – and often, are not even good.
At times He gives us those wants, just as He did for the Israelites, to help us understand why we should not have had them in the first place. And, as evidenced through the lives of the Israelites, He may allow us to face the consequences of our detrimental wants - but He never stops loving us. This truth highlights still more about God’s character – His heart, and His patience. Throughout the Old Testament, these aspects of His character are repeated. Take Psalm 103: 8-10:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,I pray that through the lessons we learn from reading His Word – including the mistakes that were made, we choose to make Him enough – to trust His no, accept His yes, and experience The Abundant, Full Life that comes with giving Him total devotion. I think the words God gave Israel in Deuteronomy 30: 19 - 20 are so fitting for helping us make decisions His Way:
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
“…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…”This world already brings with it troubles that are not of our own doing – so let’s trust God that we don’t need to add any more to our short time on this earth! And let’s also thank God for His longsuffering and mercy when we do stray. What a Great God we serve!
The Awards Continue…
Friday, April 29, 2011
THE Man, THE Woman
I’m passing on a sermon series from a church, not my own, that I like to attend when I can. It meets Sunday evenings, and I go more in the summer when I have less obligations. Last summer they had this series called, “It’s Complicated: Sex, Dating, Friendship and Boundaries” that I really enjoyed. However, I missed a later four-week mini-series during "It's Complicated" on the topic of authentic manhood and womanhood. I first listened to it just this week, when I noticed it online after referencing the whole series in conversation. All four messages of the mini-series were powerful, but the ones defining godly young men and women impacted me the most.
Relating to my recent entries on God’s Word, the top characteristic named for both godly men and women was knowledge of, and active obedience to, The Bible. As the pastor discusses, our generation of Christians, as a whole, lacks the understanding of God’s Word to live as fully devoted followers of Christ. We only change that through reading our Word daily out of more than just obligation, studying it in depth, and getting sound doctrinal teaching from our church communities and other resources God has given -- and then living what we learn. I'm excited about the movement of churches that are working to target these deficiencies in our generation in particular, and what God can do through us when, as The Apostle Peter said, we crave the sincere “milk” – spiritual food – that is The Word – and grow as a result!
I also found the series insightful for the individual challenges that were given in separate sermons to men and women. Many characteristics of godly men and women were listed, but a few were focused on for each. The characteristics highlighted for men made me stop and pray for God to grow my brothers in Christ in these areas. The characteristics for women made me evaluate myself, and reminded me of my deep burden to disciple particularly younger women to recognize their true worth in Christ and avoid compromising for “happiness.” All of it comes back to having God’s Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths.
I am thankful for the promises of God – given in His Word – that are The Power followers of Christ have even at our “lowest” points – and how it is the key to impacting our world. I really encourage you to take some minutes to listen to both challenging messages – they are worth it! Here’s the first part, and the second part, both of which you can stream or download. Or, if you have an iPhone, you can search podcasts for Frontline Messages > Frontline Teaching Team > Download Number 47 – Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, Part 3 and Number 46 – Biblical Womanhood, Part 4. All are free. Also, you can check out the whole, 11-week series by the same methods.
Happy, powerful listening!
Relating to my recent entries on God’s Word, the top characteristic named for both godly men and women was knowledge of, and active obedience to, The Bible. As the pastor discusses, our generation of Christians, as a whole, lacks the understanding of God’s Word to live as fully devoted followers of Christ. We only change that through reading our Word daily out of more than just obligation, studying it in depth, and getting sound doctrinal teaching from our church communities and other resources God has given -- and then living what we learn. I'm excited about the movement of churches that are working to target these deficiencies in our generation in particular, and what God can do through us when, as The Apostle Peter said, we crave the sincere “milk” – spiritual food – that is The Word – and grow as a result!
I also found the series insightful for the individual challenges that were given in separate sermons to men and women. Many characteristics of godly men and women were listed, but a few were focused on for each. The characteristics highlighted for men made me stop and pray for God to grow my brothers in Christ in these areas. The characteristics for women made me evaluate myself, and reminded me of my deep burden to disciple particularly younger women to recognize their true worth in Christ and avoid compromising for “happiness.” All of it comes back to having God’s Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths.
I am thankful for the promises of God – given in His Word – that are The Power followers of Christ have even at our “lowest” points – and how it is the key to impacting our world. I really encourage you to take some minutes to listen to both challenging messages – they are worth it! Here’s the first part, and the second part, both of which you can stream or download. Or, if you have an iPhone, you can search podcasts for Frontline Messages > Frontline Teaching Team > Download Number 47 – Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, Part 3 and Number 46 – Biblical Womanhood, Part 4. All are free. Also, you can check out the whole, 11-week series by the same methods.
Happy, powerful listening!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
thank YOU.
A couple years ago around Easter I bought this CD called “The Wonderful Cross” that has hymns and contemporary worship songs on Calvary. Today, from the CD, I was listening to a rendition of the worship song “Above All” by Rebecca St. James (an awesome, exemplary woman of God and tireless, passionate advocate of purity who just got engaged in January, btw:)). A few lines in the chorus say,
Listening today I was more struck by the ad lib than I have been in recent memory. I thought it an understatement— but a wonderful one.
“Thank you for thinking of me” is the kind of thing we usually say in response to someone's act that took a measure of effort - such as getting us a little gift. It’s not often associated with something as big as the God of the Universe sending His only Son as a payment for all my sin – so I can have life forever. That Act of sacrifice – love – is so beyond thoughtful that the adjective doesn’t do it justice. At least in the chorus of "Above All" the statement “and thought of me” is preceded by the words, “You took the fall” – which highlights a little better how grand His death is.
But that also was the beauty of the ad lib "Thank you for thinking of me” –it’s another reminder that, to Our Creator, a thought is more than just something that pops into His head, resulting in merely a neat little token of appreciation. A thought to Him is something big, something huge, something that reaches humanity – an entire world. His Word highlights that His thoughts – including the ones for us, are so beyond what we can imagine. Isaiah 55: 8-9 says,
I’m not sure how much sense these thoughts have made, I’m putting them down after a long day of many relections, but it’s what has meant the most to me during this year's celebration of a Good, Good day.
Thank you for The Cross, My Friend.
Crucified, laid behind a stoneAt the end of the song Rebecca ad libs, “Thank you for thinking of me.”
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall, and thought of me
Above all
Listening today I was more struck by the ad lib than I have been in recent memory. I thought it an understatement— but a wonderful one.
“Thank you for thinking of me” is the kind of thing we usually say in response to someone's act that took a measure of effort - such as getting us a little gift. It’s not often associated with something as big as the God of the Universe sending His only Son as a payment for all my sin – so I can have life forever. That Act of sacrifice – love – is so beyond thoughtful that the adjective doesn’t do it justice. At least in the chorus of "Above All" the statement “and thought of me” is preceded by the words, “You took the fall” – which highlights a little better how grand His death is.
But that also was the beauty of the ad lib "Thank you for thinking of me” –it’s another reminder that, to Our Creator, a thought is more than just something that pops into His head, resulting in merely a neat little token of appreciation. A thought to Him is something big, something huge, something that reaches humanity – an entire world. His Word highlights that His thoughts – including the ones for us, are so beyond what we can imagine. Isaiah 55: 8-9 says,
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,Jeremiah 29:11 also says this about the thoughts God has for us:
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."The Greatest Future believers in Christ have is eternity with Him, a reality present only because of The Cross – the result of a thought that had our perilous condition in mind:
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 6-8.I love Good Friday for the special opportunity to reflect on the agony that Christ suffered so that we can live far more abundantly. Because of The Cross, I can love more, give more, serve more – be more than I could ever even think of being on my own.
I’m not sure how much sense these thoughts have made, I’m putting them down after a long day of many relections, but it’s what has meant the most to me during this year's celebration of a Good, Good day.
Thank you for The Cross, My Friend.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The OldT Awards, Preview (The Word, Part 7)
I’m 19 books into my read through the Old Testament, just starting the Psalms. I can honestly say it’s mostly been an exciting, eye-opening experience. I’m getting a clearer, bigger picture of God’s character and heart for His People after seeing the many times He forgave them despite the fact that they kept blatantly disobeying His instructions.
Reading the often colorful accounts involving real-life characters in the early part of the Old Testament, I’ve also felt as though I’ve been through dozens of scripts for Hollywood Blockbusters and Critic’s Choice Films (some of which have actually been adapted for the big screen – take, for example, “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston from the 50s, which retells, with twists, Moses’ biography. As kids my little brother and I saw it so many times because it was one of the few films we could watch. We even did makeshift "performances" of scenes from the film for our mom during more than one summer break, lol.)
Anyway, beginning near the end of Genesis, I found myself scribbling notes about the most memorable stories in the back of my Bible in a fashion that borrows from several Hollywood award shows (think something like The People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards and The Oscars, combined). Here I’m dubbing them “The OldT” Awards, short for “Old Testament,” of course. The observations are my way of reflecting on my read in a hopefully entertaining way. I’ll probably be sharing them over several entries. Here’s a little preview…
BEST (OR WORST) REVENGE: JACOB's SONS (@ The Shechemites)- Genesis 34
These boys took the phrase “Brother's” – or, more appropriately — “Sister’s” Keeper - quite far.
(A little genealogy for anyone unfamiliar: Abraham, known as “The Father of Many Nations,” had a son named Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob later received the name “Israel” after his struggle with God. Through Israel would come the “Israelites,” whose 12 tribes were named for Israel’s, or Jacob’s, sons and grandsons.)
Some of Jacob’s sons would exact revenge for their sister Dinah, who was raped by Shechem, a man from the foreign land Jacob’s family was living in, Canaan. (vv. 2-3). When the brother’s heard, they were filled with both grief and fury (v. 7). After the rape, Shechem’s father went to Jacob to ask for Dinah’s hand in marriage, saying that Shechem loved her. Shechem’s father also suggested that their families intermarry and settle together permanently (vv. 6; 8-10). The Bible says that in response to Shechem’s father’s request, Jacob’s sons deceitfully replied:
"15 We will give our consent to you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll settle among you and become one people with you. 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.”
The Bible says that the proposal “seemed good” to Shechem and his father, and they had every male from their city circumcised (v. 24). However, Jacob’s sons had other plans:
25 Three days later, while all of [the men] were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male.
They also looted the city, seized all the wealth in it and the women and children. (vv. 27 – 29).
When Jacob learned about Simeon and Levi’s actions, he said to them,
“You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” (v. 30)
Simeon and Levi’s reply?
“Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” (v. 31)
That’s how the chapter – and story – ends. You judge!
PURITY POSTER BOY (aka "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD"): JOSEPH
In other entries I’ve discussed my admiration for Jacob’s second-youngest son (who had nothing to do with the shenanigans of his “aforementioned” brothers, who also sold him into slavery, btw), so I won’t rehash. I love the fact that he was upright, successful and good-looking, and knew how to flee temptation – literally. He also knew something about forgiveness and accepting God’s plan for his life, no matter how challenging. An awesome guy, and great role model for today’s Christian Men!
MOST RELUCTANT TO TAKE A GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENT (In the early Old Testament): MOSES, Exodus 3
Runner Up: Gideon – Judges 6
We’ve probably all read the story of Moses at the burning bush. At the bush, on Mount Horeb, God called Moses to lead His people out of Israel. He certainly did not jump at the task! The award-winning sequence between God and Moses:
First, Moses asked: “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (v. 11)
God’s reply: “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (v. 12)
Moses needed a few more questions answered. He probed: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (v. 13)
God’s response: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (v. 14)
The God of the Universe, G-O-D, said He would have Moses’ back, but Moses was not satisfied. Then, God gave Moses more reassuring words – He promised to bring His people out of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey (v. 17), that the elders of Israel would listen to him and Pharaoh would not, but God would work miracles to change Pharaoh’s mind (v. 18-19).
Yet Moses persisted in his questioning. Kicking off another round, he asked:“What if [the Israelites] do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘the Lord did not appear to you?’” (Ex. 4: 1)
God replied by giving Moses signs that he could use to show the people: a staff that could turn into a snake (vv. 4-5); a hand that could become leprous, or clean, by taking it in and out of a cloak (vv. 7-8); and the ability to turn water from the Nile River to blood (v. 9).
To those superpowers, Moses replied: “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (v. 10)
And Jehovah said: “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (v. 12)
Finally, Moses cuts to the chase (i.e., says what he really means): “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (v. 13)
At that point, God basically said, “this conversation is over,” but still gave Moses a little more ammo to overcome his reluctance:
14 Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.” (vv. 14-17)
Commentary
I do not give a nod to Moses to single him out as an “unbelieving" soul, but to point out the humor in reading it, and how like us Moses was in responding. We sometimes think that if God gave us “burning bush” or “fleece” signs, we would follow Him more. But, truthfully, if we have an unbelieving heart and intend not to do something He calls us to do, not even fire straight from heaven would be enough to change our minds (and not to mention the fact that we now have the Word of God, full of accounts like this one about the result of ordinary folks like us trying to deflect God’s calling).
Yet God, knowing how we are formed – remembering that we are dust- still meets us where we are in our disbelief and gives us tools to help overcome our doubt. However, at some point we have to make the choice to accept His guidance – or face the consequences. When Moses decided to go along with The God of the Universe, he was used mightily. When he later chose to go his own way out of frustration over his circumstances and struck the rock instead of following God’s instructions, he paid the consequence of not getting to enter the Promised Land. It’s a great reminder to inventory the areas in our lives where God is moving us in a direction yet we are finding every excuse to ignore His lead. In those instances, we’re the one who miss the amazing plans He has for us.
Despite the very reluctant Moses in Exodus 3, his story also is that of a man who had one of the most important “raw materials” that God uses: humility. Number 12:3 states, “(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth).” At several points in his leadership, the Israelites decided it would be a good idea not to listen to the instructions God had given through Moses. In response, God kept vouching for Moses, in the presence of his haters.
On one occasion, also from Numbers 12, his own siblings, Miriam and Aaron, started trash talking Moses out of jealously. God literally came down from heaven to handle that one:
PSA
I am so thankful for The Word of God to guide our paths – and the real-life adventures in its pages that entertain us in the process. It has all the makings of great movies – including an Awesome Writer & Director. His takes always end up with just the right cuts, designed to fill us with hope. All we need to experience them is pick up the masterful pages of that Work we call the Word.
Coming Soon: More Awards…
Reading the often colorful accounts involving real-life characters in the early part of the Old Testament, I’ve also felt as though I’ve been through dozens of scripts for Hollywood Blockbusters and Critic’s Choice Films (some of which have actually been adapted for the big screen – take, for example, “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston from the 50s, which retells, with twists, Moses’ biography. As kids my little brother and I saw it so many times because it was one of the few films we could watch. We even did makeshift "performances" of scenes from the film for our mom during more than one summer break, lol.)
Anyway, beginning near the end of Genesis, I found myself scribbling notes about the most memorable stories in the back of my Bible in a fashion that borrows from several Hollywood award shows (think something like The People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards and The Oscars, combined). Here I’m dubbing them “The OldT” Awards, short for “Old Testament,” of course. The observations are my way of reflecting on my read in a hopefully entertaining way. I’ll probably be sharing them over several entries. Here’s a little preview…
BEST (OR WORST) REVENGE: JACOB's SONS (@ The Shechemites)- Genesis 34
These boys took the phrase “Brother's” – or, more appropriately — “Sister’s” Keeper - quite far.
(A little genealogy for anyone unfamiliar: Abraham, known as “The Father of Many Nations,” had a son named Isaac. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Jacob later received the name “Israel” after his struggle with God. Through Israel would come the “Israelites,” whose 12 tribes were named for Israel’s, or Jacob’s, sons and grandsons.)
Some of Jacob’s sons would exact revenge for their sister Dinah, who was raped by Shechem, a man from the foreign land Jacob’s family was living in, Canaan. (vv. 2-3). When the brother’s heard, they were filled with both grief and fury (v. 7). After the rape, Shechem’s father went to Jacob to ask for Dinah’s hand in marriage, saying that Shechem loved her. Shechem’s father also suggested that their families intermarry and settle together permanently (vv. 6; 8-10). The Bible says that in response to Shechem’s father’s request, Jacob’s sons deceitfully replied:
"15 We will give our consent to you on one condition only: that you become like us by circumcising all your males. 16 Then we will give you our daughters and take your daughters for ourselves. We’ll settle among you and become one people with you. 17 But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we’ll take our sister and go.”
The Bible says that the proposal “seemed good” to Shechem and his father, and they had every male from their city circumcised (v. 24). However, Jacob’s sons had other plans:
25 Three days later, while all of [the men] were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male.
They also looted the city, seized all the wealth in it and the women and children. (vv. 27 – 29).
When Jacob learned about Simeon and Levi’s actions, he said to them,
“You have brought trouble on me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” (v. 30)
Simeon and Levi’s reply?
“Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?” (v. 31)
That’s how the chapter – and story – ends. You judge!
PURITY POSTER BOY (aka "LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD"): JOSEPH
In other entries I’ve discussed my admiration for Jacob’s second-youngest son (who had nothing to do with the shenanigans of his “aforementioned” brothers, who also sold him into slavery, btw), so I won’t rehash. I love the fact that he was upright, successful and good-looking, and knew how to flee temptation – literally. He also knew something about forgiveness and accepting God’s plan for his life, no matter how challenging. An awesome guy, and great role model for today’s Christian Men!
MOST RELUCTANT TO TAKE A GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENT (In the early Old Testament): MOSES, Exodus 3
Runner Up: Gideon – Judges 6
We’ve probably all read the story of Moses at the burning bush. At the bush, on Mount Horeb, God called Moses to lead His people out of Israel. He certainly did not jump at the task! The award-winning sequence between God and Moses:
First, Moses asked: “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (v. 11)
God’s reply: “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (v. 12)
Moses needed a few more questions answered. He probed: “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” (v. 13)
God’s response: “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (v. 14)
The God of the Universe, G-O-D, said He would have Moses’ back, but Moses was not satisfied. Then, God gave Moses more reassuring words – He promised to bring His people out of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey (v. 17), that the elders of Israel would listen to him and Pharaoh would not, but God would work miracles to change Pharaoh’s mind (v. 18-19).
Yet Moses persisted in his questioning. Kicking off another round, he asked:“What if [the Israelites] do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘the Lord did not appear to you?’” (Ex. 4: 1)
God replied by giving Moses signs that he could use to show the people: a staff that could turn into a snake (vv. 4-5); a hand that could become leprous, or clean, by taking it in and out of a cloak (vv. 7-8); and the ability to turn water from the Nile River to blood (v. 9).
To those superpowers, Moses replied: “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (v. 10)
And Jehovah said: “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (v. 12)
Finally, Moses cuts to the chase (i.e., says what he really means): “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (v. 13)
At that point, God basically said, “this conversation is over,” but still gave Moses a little more ammo to overcome his reluctance:
14 Then the LORD’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it.” (vv. 14-17)
Commentary
I do not give a nod to Moses to single him out as an “unbelieving" soul, but to point out the humor in reading it, and how like us Moses was in responding. We sometimes think that if God gave us “burning bush” or “fleece” signs, we would follow Him more. But, truthfully, if we have an unbelieving heart and intend not to do something He calls us to do, not even fire straight from heaven would be enough to change our minds (and not to mention the fact that we now have the Word of God, full of accounts like this one about the result of ordinary folks like us trying to deflect God’s calling).
Yet God, knowing how we are formed – remembering that we are dust- still meets us where we are in our disbelief and gives us tools to help overcome our doubt. However, at some point we have to make the choice to accept His guidance – or face the consequences. When Moses decided to go along with The God of the Universe, he was used mightily. When he later chose to go his own way out of frustration over his circumstances and struck the rock instead of following God’s instructions, he paid the consequence of not getting to enter the Promised Land. It’s a great reminder to inventory the areas in our lives where God is moving us in a direction yet we are finding every excuse to ignore His lead. In those instances, we’re the one who miss the amazing plans He has for us.
Despite the very reluctant Moses in Exodus 3, his story also is that of a man who had one of the most important “raw materials” that God uses: humility. Number 12:3 states, “(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth).” At several points in his leadership, the Israelites decided it would be a good idea not to listen to the instructions God had given through Moses. In response, God kept vouching for Moses, in the presence of his haters.
On one occasion, also from Numbers 12, his own siblings, Miriam and Aaron, started trash talking Moses out of jealously. God literally came down from heaven to handle that one:
4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, “Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you.” So the three of them came out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, 6 he said, “Listen to my words:Our challenge is to, like Moses, humble ourselves in His sight despite our human mess so that He can use us for His glory.
“When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD.
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?”
PSA
I am so thankful for The Word of God to guide our paths – and the real-life adventures in its pages that entertain us in the process. It has all the makings of great movies – including an Awesome Writer & Director. His takes always end up with just the right cuts, designed to fill us with hope. All we need to experience them is pick up the masterful pages of that Work we call the Word.
Coming Soon: More Awards…
Thursday, April 07, 2011
MEDITATE (His Way) (The Word, Part 6)
Meditation: it’s a word with many meanings.
Celebrities such as Russell Simmons, Tina Turner and Richard Gere have advocated for forms of daily meditation they practice. Simmons in particular has practiced various types over more than a decade, such as transcendental meditation, during which practitioners sit still and silently repeat an assigned Sanskrit word, or mantra, for 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening in efforts to reach a “deeper level of consciousness.” Closing an article praising this and other types of meditation he practices, Simmons called meditation a “path” to overcoming personal suffering and experiencing life as “intended,” which he described as “an ocean of energy, intelligence, and bliss.”
But comparing Simmons’ and other common forms of meditation to biblical meditation, they are at sharp odds. And the stark contrast is another reminder of how God’s Words and ways are so different from our world’s.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION v. POPULAR MEDITATION
Recently, I’ve read, watched and discussed topics that have led me to reflect on the meaning of various popular forms of meditation as compared to biblical meditation.
Many types of meditation are rooted in New Age philosophy, which is commonly accepted in our culture but contradicts Scripture.
In my mind “New Age” is somewhat of an amorphous concept. Although I know some about the philosophy and can identify many of its manifestations, I cannot carefully articulate it neatly in my own words. However, it has been described, (only somewhat neatly:),) as “a non-religious Western spiritual movement that…draw[s] on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and…infus[es] them with influences from self-help and motivational psychology, parapsychology, consciousness research and quantum physics. It aims to create a spirituality without borders or confining dogmas that is inclusive and pluralistic.”(In other words, its an amalgamation of ideas!)
A cornerstone of New Age philosophy is pantheism, the view that “God is in everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God.” From that perspective, through engaging in various “self help” methods New Age teaching promotes, a higher, enlightened state can be reached – a “god” state. The common idea of being “spiritual but not religious" is often tied to New Age philosophy.
In contrast, Scripture teaches that there is only one God, and Jesus is the only way to Him. Further, believers in Christ are to follow God only and commit themselves to a study of distinct “dogma” – i.e., biblical doctrine, for spiritual growth.
Relating the philosophy to meditation, New Age teaching borrows from Eastern religious meditative practices, such as Buddhism. A major goal of the Buddhism is to put humans on a path to ending personal suffering, physical or mental, by eliminating desire, or craving, which is the “driving force of dissatisfaction” that breeds suffering. When the “craving is dispensed, suffering comes to an end and nirvana…a feeling of bliss and excitement” can be attained. Sean O’Callaghan, “The Compact Guide to World Religions,” pgs. 149, 151. The “Eightfold Path” to ending suffering includes the concepts of “right awareness” and “right concentration,” which call on people to make “right choices,” achieve peace and an increased sense of happiness through meditation. This relates to the feeling of experiencing life as “an ocean of energy, intelligence, and bliss” that Simmons has discussed.
Moreover, popular forms of meditation, also borrowing from Eastern religions such as Buddhism, teach that one gains a “spiritual awareness” from careful concentration of the mind that, in turn, allows the person to see things “as they really are.” In other words, achieving a “higher consciousness” is the impetus for revelation through meditation.
Biblical Meditation
Biblical meditation differs from meditation derived from New Age or other similar philosophies in several important ways.
“Material” Differences
First, the meditation “material” is different. While popular forms of meditation generally require a person to focus on a particular word, phrase or object, biblical meditation has far more material on which to focus. In the NIV (©1984), there are 16 references to the word “meditate.” Every single one describes meditation as focusing on aspects of God’s character, works, Word, or ways. Further, most of the references speak to meditating on His “statutes,” “laws” or “decrees,” meaning His Word. Some examples:
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1: 1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 119: 15
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 48: 9
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 77: 12
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
(The 16 uses of the word “meditate” in the NIV (©1984), all found in the Old Testament, are linked here)
“Method” Differences
Also, the method of biblical meditation is different. The Bible does not prescribe a specific “formula” or object for meditating on His Word – in fact, we are told to do it day and night – any and everywhere! We can be in a quiet place reading His Word, or we can memorize it, in public or private; reflect on it in prayer, spoken or written; listen to it through a song or a message. When we ingest it in several ways, all day long, we learn to set our minds on things above rather than earthly things, and to think excellent, praiseworthy things.
“Revelation” Differences
Further, the “revelation” is also different. Popular meditation puts power in the exercise of meditation itself as a means of reaching a “higher consciousness” and gaining so-called revelation. By contrast, God has put Revelation in His Word, which is revealed to us as we read and memorize it in our present consciousness. Also, there is no “power” of revelation transferred by saying, or repeating, a particular word or phrase in the Bible as an "exercise" or "chant," or any “magic” from merely picking it up. Rather, when we meditate on God’s Word, we do it to understand, in our present consciousness, what God has said in it. In turn, His Spirit shows us how to apply it to our lives.
“Goal” Differences
Additionally, the goal is different. The objective of most non-biblical methods of meditation tends to be achieving things such as relaxation or calmness, happiness (i.e., “overcoming” suffering), or being more “balanced” or “centered.”
However, as God’s Word teaches, as Christians our goal in life should not be calmness; happiness or the sort of “balance” spoken of (however defined), but, instead, to bring God glory. The Bible also teaches that through suffering God’s glory is often revealed. The Apostle Paul, who suffered for preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth, said that his personal suffering helped him fellowship with – understand – Christ better; experience God’s power in his own weakness; know His character more and live as an example for others.
Further, Jesus said that victory over suffering comes from Him. As He counseled His disciples on how to live, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus was victorious over the ultimate suffering for us – no meditation “exercise” can do what He did! And because of what He did on the cross, He gives us the strength to handle any situation in life, no matter how difficult.
Moreover, when we meditate on His Word, we are able to make the right decisions by following His guidance that if we seek Him first, His kingdom and righteousness, He will help us through every other aspect of our lives. That’s incomparably greater than what any “balance” or “centering” activity can achieve!
OUR RESPONSE
What should a Christian’s response be to non-biblical forms of meditation? I believe the Bible is clear that Christians have to be extremely careful what ideas or practices we follow, and that we are not to subscribe to any that contradict Scripture. Because most, if not all, forms of non-biblical meditation are done for the explicit purpose of achieving some form of “enlightenment” as defined by religions and philosophies that contradict Scripture, we should avoid them.
From the Word
Scripture teaches that anything that contradicts God cannot stand with God. Right now I‘m seeing this truth exemplified in my read through the Old Testament. After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites disobeyed God by worshipping other gods, baals, that the Lord had commanded them not to worship. Yet they also claimed to be worshipping God at the same time. God used the prophet Elijah at Mount Carmel to show the Israelites the error in their ways. Before a showdown between God and the Baals after a three-year drought in Israel, Elijah challenged the Israelites about their bifurcated “worship”. In I Kings 18:21, he asked, pointedly:
“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
My commentary says this about the verse: “Elijah stood before them and challenged them to end their double-mindedness, wavering between two opinions. It was not good to try to ‘walk the fence’ worshipping two gods. Apparently the Israelites thought that if Yahweh [God] let them down they could turn to Baal, and vice versa. Elijah was saying that if One is the true God and the other false they should follow the true One wholeheartedly and forget about the impotent impostor.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 526.
I love the description of worshipping God and other gods as “waver[ing] between two opinions.” In our context, as we often hear, an idol is anything we place before God. But, as described in I Kings, it is also anything we subscribe to that presents a different “opinion” that contradicts God. Many common forms of meditation, including New Age, present positions that are at odds with Scripture, as described by comparing New Age philosophy to biblical theology; common forms of meditation to biblical meditation. Scripture is clear that we must choose one – or the other – we cannot be in between.
We may be tempted to think that activities such as non-biblical meditation rooted in philosophies conflicting scripture “enhance” our lives, as the Israelites thought a different “opinion” could for them. But if we want our spiritual growth as followers of Christ to flourish, we have to choose God alone and reject anything rooted in a contradictory philosophy.
In the New Testament The Apostle Paul also explains how we are to get our “fullness” – all we need in life – from God. He tells the Church of Colosse these very relevant words:
NAVIGATING
Is it wrong for Christians to learn about different philosophies or religions that contradict scripture? I would say no– I believe that, as long as a Christian has a solid understanding of Scripture and is meditating on The Word daily, knowing about other ideas can actually help us understand and reach our world for Christ better. However, as Scripture points out, we are not to practice ideas or philosophies that oppose Christ.
Today, common forms of meditation rooted in New Age philosophy and other ideas contradicting Scripture have seeped into our culture through areas such as media, physical activity, counseling– it’s everywhere. As Christians, we need to have the discernment to recognize what we should stay away from. We only gain that wisdom through studying God’s Word. Romans 12:1-2 tells us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Our minds are renewed by meditating on Scripture, which helps us know what His good, acceptable, pleasing, and perfect will is. Let’s meditate on God’s Word, night and day – and not get taken by hollow and deceptive philosophy.
Celebrities such as Russell Simmons, Tina Turner and Richard Gere have advocated for forms of daily meditation they practice. Simmons in particular has practiced various types over more than a decade, such as transcendental meditation, during which practitioners sit still and silently repeat an assigned Sanskrit word, or mantra, for 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening in efforts to reach a “deeper level of consciousness.” Closing an article praising this and other types of meditation he practices, Simmons called meditation a “path” to overcoming personal suffering and experiencing life as “intended,” which he described as “an ocean of energy, intelligence, and bliss.”
But comparing Simmons’ and other common forms of meditation to biblical meditation, they are at sharp odds. And the stark contrast is another reminder of how God’s Words and ways are so different from our world’s.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION v. POPULAR MEDITATION
Recently, I’ve read, watched and discussed topics that have led me to reflect on the meaning of various popular forms of meditation as compared to biblical meditation.
Many types of meditation are rooted in New Age philosophy, which is commonly accepted in our culture but contradicts Scripture.
In my mind “New Age” is somewhat of an amorphous concept. Although I know some about the philosophy and can identify many of its manifestations, I cannot carefully articulate it neatly in my own words. However, it has been described, (only somewhat neatly:),) as “a non-religious Western spiritual movement that…draw[s] on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and…infus[es] them with influences from self-help and motivational psychology, parapsychology, consciousness research and quantum physics. It aims to create a spirituality without borders or confining dogmas that is inclusive and pluralistic.”(In other words, its an amalgamation of ideas!)
A cornerstone of New Age philosophy is pantheism, the view that “God is in everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God.” From that perspective, through engaging in various “self help” methods New Age teaching promotes, a higher, enlightened state can be reached – a “god” state. The common idea of being “spiritual but not religious" is often tied to New Age philosophy.
In contrast, Scripture teaches that there is only one God, and Jesus is the only way to Him. Further, believers in Christ are to follow God only and commit themselves to a study of distinct “dogma” – i.e., biblical doctrine, for spiritual growth.
Relating the philosophy to meditation, New Age teaching borrows from Eastern religious meditative practices, such as Buddhism. A major goal of the Buddhism is to put humans on a path to ending personal suffering, physical or mental, by eliminating desire, or craving, which is the “driving force of dissatisfaction” that breeds suffering. When the “craving is dispensed, suffering comes to an end and nirvana…a feeling of bliss and excitement” can be attained. Sean O’Callaghan, “The Compact Guide to World Religions,” pgs. 149, 151. The “Eightfold Path” to ending suffering includes the concepts of “right awareness” and “right concentration,” which call on people to make “right choices,” achieve peace and an increased sense of happiness through meditation. This relates to the feeling of experiencing life as “an ocean of energy, intelligence, and bliss” that Simmons has discussed.
Moreover, popular forms of meditation, also borrowing from Eastern religions such as Buddhism, teach that one gains a “spiritual awareness” from careful concentration of the mind that, in turn, allows the person to see things “as they really are.” In other words, achieving a “higher consciousness” is the impetus for revelation through meditation.
Biblical Meditation
Biblical meditation differs from meditation derived from New Age or other similar philosophies in several important ways.
“Material” Differences
First, the meditation “material” is different. While popular forms of meditation generally require a person to focus on a particular word, phrase or object, biblical meditation has far more material on which to focus. In the NIV (©1984), there are 16 references to the word “meditate.” Every single one describes meditation as focusing on aspects of God’s character, works, Word, or ways. Further, most of the references speak to meditating on His “statutes,” “laws” or “decrees,” meaning His Word. Some examples:
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1: 1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 119: 15
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 48: 9
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 77: 12
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
(The 16 uses of the word “meditate” in the NIV (©1984), all found in the Old Testament, are linked here)
“Method” Differences
Also, the method of biblical meditation is different. The Bible does not prescribe a specific “formula” or object for meditating on His Word – in fact, we are told to do it day and night – any and everywhere! We can be in a quiet place reading His Word, or we can memorize it, in public or private; reflect on it in prayer, spoken or written; listen to it through a song or a message. When we ingest it in several ways, all day long, we learn to set our minds on things above rather than earthly things, and to think excellent, praiseworthy things.
“Revelation” Differences
Further, the “revelation” is also different. Popular meditation puts power in the exercise of meditation itself as a means of reaching a “higher consciousness” and gaining so-called revelation. By contrast, God has put Revelation in His Word, which is revealed to us as we read and memorize it in our present consciousness. Also, there is no “power” of revelation transferred by saying, or repeating, a particular word or phrase in the Bible as an "exercise" or "chant," or any “magic” from merely picking it up. Rather, when we meditate on God’s Word, we do it to understand, in our present consciousness, what God has said in it. In turn, His Spirit shows us how to apply it to our lives.
“Goal” Differences
Additionally, the goal is different. The objective of most non-biblical methods of meditation tends to be achieving things such as relaxation or calmness, happiness (i.e., “overcoming” suffering), or being more “balanced” or “centered.”
However, as God’s Word teaches, as Christians our goal in life should not be calmness; happiness or the sort of “balance” spoken of (however defined), but, instead, to bring God glory. The Bible also teaches that through suffering God’s glory is often revealed. The Apostle Paul, who suffered for preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth, said that his personal suffering helped him fellowship with – understand – Christ better; experience God’s power in his own weakness; know His character more and live as an example for others.
Further, Jesus said that victory over suffering comes from Him. As He counseled His disciples on how to live, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus was victorious over the ultimate suffering for us – no meditation “exercise” can do what He did! And because of what He did on the cross, He gives us the strength to handle any situation in life, no matter how difficult.
Moreover, when we meditate on His Word, we are able to make the right decisions by following His guidance that if we seek Him first, His kingdom and righteousness, He will help us through every other aspect of our lives. That’s incomparably greater than what any “balance” or “centering” activity can achieve!
OUR RESPONSE
What should a Christian’s response be to non-biblical forms of meditation? I believe the Bible is clear that Christians have to be extremely careful what ideas or practices we follow, and that we are not to subscribe to any that contradict Scripture. Because most, if not all, forms of non-biblical meditation are done for the explicit purpose of achieving some form of “enlightenment” as defined by religions and philosophies that contradict Scripture, we should avoid them.
From the Word
Scripture teaches that anything that contradicts God cannot stand with God. Right now I‘m seeing this truth exemplified in my read through the Old Testament. After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites disobeyed God by worshipping other gods, baals, that the Lord had commanded them not to worship. Yet they also claimed to be worshipping God at the same time. God used the prophet Elijah at Mount Carmel to show the Israelites the error in their ways. Before a showdown between God and the Baals after a three-year drought in Israel, Elijah challenged the Israelites about their bifurcated “worship”. In I Kings 18:21, he asked, pointedly:
“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
My commentary says this about the verse: “Elijah stood before them and challenged them to end their double-mindedness, wavering between two opinions. It was not good to try to ‘walk the fence’ worshipping two gods. Apparently the Israelites thought that if Yahweh [God] let them down they could turn to Baal, and vice versa. Elijah was saying that if One is the true God and the other false they should follow the true One wholeheartedly and forget about the impotent impostor.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 526.
I love the description of worshipping God and other gods as “waver[ing] between two opinions.” In our context, as we often hear, an idol is anything we place before God. But, as described in I Kings, it is also anything we subscribe to that presents a different “opinion” that contradicts God. Many common forms of meditation, including New Age, present positions that are at odds with Scripture, as described by comparing New Age philosophy to biblical theology; common forms of meditation to biblical meditation. Scripture is clear that we must choose one – or the other – we cannot be in between.
We may be tempted to think that activities such as non-biblical meditation rooted in philosophies conflicting scripture “enhance” our lives, as the Israelites thought a different “opinion” could for them. But if we want our spiritual growth as followers of Christ to flourish, we have to choose God alone and reject anything rooted in a contradictory philosophy.
In the New Testament The Apostle Paul also explains how we are to get our “fullness” – all we need in life – from God. He tells the Church of Colosse these very relevant words:
Spiritual Fullness in ChristI think verse eight is especially key (i.e., “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ”). It sounds a lot like the purpose of New Age philosophy and its attempt to reach some “spiritual” height or dimension while rejecting Christ. God’s Word is clear that Christ has all the spiritual fullness we need – and more!
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. NIV © 2011; Colossians 3:6-10.
NAVIGATING
Is it wrong for Christians to learn about different philosophies or religions that contradict scripture? I would say no– I believe that, as long as a Christian has a solid understanding of Scripture and is meditating on The Word daily, knowing about other ideas can actually help us understand and reach our world for Christ better. However, as Scripture points out, we are not to practice ideas or philosophies that oppose Christ.
Today, common forms of meditation rooted in New Age philosophy and other ideas contradicting Scripture have seeped into our culture through areas such as media, physical activity, counseling– it’s everywhere. As Christians, we need to have the discernment to recognize what we should stay away from. We only gain that wisdom through studying God’s Word. Romans 12:1-2 tells us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Our minds are renewed by meditating on Scripture, which helps us know what His good, acceptable, pleasing, and perfect will is. Let’s meditate on God’s Word, night and day – and not get taken by hollow and deceptive philosophy.
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