Something I Do Not Wish To "Know"

"For forty years---one year for each of the forty days you explored the land---you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you."  (Numbers 14:34, NIV)

The NKJV says, "and you shall know My rejection."  The NASB says, "and you will know My opposition."  Whatever the wording, no person on Planet Earth wants this, not if they are in their "right mind" at all.  It is not, "You will suffer because of Me."  It is, "you will suffer for your sins."  Sin brings only one reward: suffering.

We spoke of criticism in a home group meeting last night.  The thought occurred to me that when people speak of "constructive criticism," it usually means a criticism I agree with and will accept.  What about the criticism I don't like or agree with?  I guess I would call that destructive criticism.  We also discussed that criticism is only valid when given in the "right way."  What if it is not?  It's up to me to receive it.  It's up to the other person as to how they "give it."

If you accept the dictionary's meaning of "criticism," then the Bible is full of criticism.  The Divine Judgement on Israel in our text can be viewed as a criticism of the Jews' behavior, a life style of disobedience, "---you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have Me against you."  You and I suffer for our sin, which is a self inflicted disease.  Forgiveness does not preclude suffering.  Anyone who takes an honest look at their will recognize this.

We all agree, I hope, that it is not a good thing to, "have Me against you."  The Blood of Jesus' Cross brought us salvation, the forgiveness of sin, "sin shall not have the dominion over you," and acceptance, "in the Beloved."  The Cross, however, did not eliminate sin's consequence.  Now, some may say that this has nothing to do with our text.  Really?  The consequences of sin, whether just the "natural" outcome of a life of disobedience, or the disciplining of Our Father, is still the same, "you will suffer for your sins." 

If I am not to be what Proverbs calls, "a fool," then I will take this reality very seriously.  I will hate sin, reject sin, or as Paul put it, "....I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  People talk about the "pursuit of happiness."  Perhaps happiness is not only in what I obtain, but in what I refuse.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You destroyed sin, "in the Blood of His Cross."  O, for grace to walk in the power of the Cross.  Amen.
 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Dear Storm-Tossed Pilgrim:

"So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me."  (Acts 27:25, NIV))

Fear ruled on board that ship.  They could not sleep; they could not eat; hopelessness ruled, "Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned."  Most know the feeling.  I have seen this far too often in too many people, "....all hope...was gradually abandoned."

Yet in Acts 27 is one of the most encouraging reads you will ever encounter.  Here is the Interlinear:  "Therefore take heart men I believe indeed God that thus it will be according to the way (manner, character, manner of life) it has been said to me."  I take this to mean, "Because of Who said this, there is every reason to, "take heart," or, "keep up your courage...."

People lose heart/courage because they only rely on their reasoning or the reasoning of others.  Such people are products of "Renaissance/Enlightenment/Age of Reason" thinking.  Most on planet Earth are afflicted with this disease.  They will only believe what they see.  Their grandparents were such; their parents were such; their schools were such.  It's like they never had a chance.  They look at their circumstances and say, "Impossible.  This has been going on way too long to believe it will change."  They are slaves of laboratory thinking. 

Then "arrives" our Lord Jesus Christ's New Birth and Conversion.  Jesus makes a, "new creature," or, "the new creation has come: The old has gone...."  Jesus does not rework or reform our hearts;  Jesus creates in us a new heart.  And when a storm which has lasted longer than one as a child of the "Enlightenment" can take, Something/Some One else rules.  The "Age of Reason" has been replaced by the "Age of Jesus."  As the old song says, "It shall be done even as He says." 

Now one can stand on board that storm-tossed ship of life, having not been able to eat or sleep for a long time because of fear, and enjoy the, "table before me," Jesus' table, which somehow shines most powerfully, "in the presence of my enemies," in the presence of that most violent, "all hope... gradually abandoned," storm. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the new heart of believing You, no matter the storm.  Amen.   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

It Can Happen To Anyone

"Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.  But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed."  (Job 4:4, 5--NIV)

It's "Job time" again.  Job's three "friends" were much like Balaam.  They may have said some "good" things, but their hearts were not right; hence, the rebuke of Jesus at the end of the book.

Our text does reveal, however, a reality which can afflict all of us at one time or another, viz., we help others, but we can't help ourselves.  I put the following on Face book yesterday: "Don't say, 'I will never,' or, 'I will always.'  You don't know that."  Just think of how many divorced people once said similar words of the song to their beloved, "Until the Twelfth of Never, I'll still be loving you."  Or how about this one: "I'll Never Stop Loving You" ....and they stopped.  The list is endless.  And, I don't "judge" anyone who has "been there."  One of today's Psalms says, "With the merciful You show Yourself merciful."  As someone once said, "I can use all the mercy I can get." 

Don't be discouraged today if you find that, "....you have strengthened faltering knees.  But now...."  And for any of the proud who may be reading this, beware; it can happen to you too.  The most "full of the Holy Spirit," the most eloquent of preachers/teachers, the most happy, carefree, always upbeat are still, "Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail."  It is imperative that we always keep this in mind.  Remember our Lord Jesus after Peter denied he ever knew Him?  What did Jesus do?  Did Jesus yell at him, rebuke him.  Perhaps Peter would rather have had that response than, "And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter," saying nothing, just that "look," the look of love, compassion, the look of, "I love you, Peter, and there is nothing you can do to change that."  Then after the resurrection, when the angel appeared to the women, he said, "But go, tell His disciples--and Peter---...."  In other words, "Make sure Peter knows he's included." 

My Dad use to say that the angel deliberately named Peter because he knew what Peter had been suffering.  He wanted Peter to be assured that Peter was still loved of Jesus.  This is for you and me and any who may have "messed up" in life, or who have, "faltering knees," and/or, "are dismayed," for whatever the reason.  It is not over, though it may seem so.  It is never over in Jesus, nor will it ever be.  Jesus is the Only One Who can say, "I will never," and, "I will always." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Your mercy is great above the heavens," and, "Your mercy is good...."------ and thank You for that.  Amen. 

***************************

If you want to join me in DC during my time with "David's Tent," let me know.  I will be there from the early afternoon of September 18 to the evening of September 22.   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Job...Cursed The Day of His Birth"

"After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.  He said: 'May the day of my birth perish....'"  (Job 3:1, 2a--NIV)

Please never "do" this attitude.  Now most of you will respond, "I never did nor ever will."  Also, don't say that.  You and I don't know, not only what the future holds, but what we "hold" for the future.  I have heard Christians say, "I wish I'd never been born."  It is sad.

Suffering brings out the "best" in some and the "worst" in others.  There is so much talk today in the modern Christendom media about "sowing and reaping," and it is limited to nothing but money.  What a huge disservice to the Body of Christ.  To me, there is nothing more necessary in Church teaching than the warning and encouragement of, "whatever a man sows, that he will also reap," before and after we are "saved."  The New Birth does not change this life principle.  In short, I have observed in my life time that people do not get any "better with age."  Yes, we may be, "a new creation," in terms of our salvation, forgiveness of sin, walking in obedience to much of our Lord Jesus Christ's commands, but our fundamental personalities do not seem to change.  It is a constant struggle between the "old man, new man."  And what I have sown "to" both will inevitably manifest.

Job was declared to be a righteous man, and that by our Living Triune God Himself.  But Job was in deep suffering.  He could not see that proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel."  Even the "best" of us can succumb to a life-devastating self-pity.  You will remember that Chambers once said, "Discouragement is another form of self love"; therefore, my friend, never give in to it.  Of course those "old nature" things which crop up too many times in our sojourn here can be the source of great discouragement, to our pride mostly.  "Gee, I thought I was better than this.  I thought I had come farther along in my walk than that."  Well, apparently you haven't. 

"Are you weary, are you heavy laden, tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus."  Draw on His Indwelling Presence.  The power to change and manifest that change does not come from spiritual "grunting."  It can only come by surrender, a surrender of that self-centered, self-protecting, self-asserting nature to the Nature of Jesus, indeed, Jesus Himself living and reigning within us.  Stay full of Jesus and His Words, and we will not stay full of ourselves.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I may regret much about my life, but never my birth.  Otherwise, I never would have known You.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2