The Word of God is so very rich! This week I read how God used Samuel to call Saul to be Israel's first king. If you haven't read I Samuel 9 and 10 lately, please do it today. You remember how Israel had cried out to God for a king. In this passage, God changes Samuel from a priest to a prophet, and changes Saul from a prophet to a king, but not without a little drama.
In chapter 9, Saul had been sent out by his father to look for some donkeys that had wandered off. Saul and his servant looked everywhere, and spent three days without finding them. Saul finally tells the servant, Look, we need to get back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and wonder what has happened to us. Besides, our provisions are almost gone--we didn't bring a whole lot of food or drink for an extended trip. But the servant says, Wait, we are near the place where the Prophet of God lives. Maybe he can tell us where our donkeys are, so we don't have to go home empty-handed. Saul agrees, and they take a little side-trip to see Samuel.
God told Samuel that Saul was coming, and that this would be the man who would be Israel's first king. So when Saul and his servant come up to see Samuel, he meets them with a flask of oil to annoint him. Samuel tells Saul that the donkeys have been found, so don't worry about them. As for food, Samuel invited Saul to a feast, one that had already been prepared for them. So God had a Promise, a Provision, and a Proposal.
God Completely Meets Our Needs
Samuel gave Saul three signs that would be fulfilled, so he would know that God was in charge of everything. Starting in I Samuel 10, verse two and following: "When you leave me here today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb, at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, 'The donkeys you have set out to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped thinking about them and is worried about you. He is saying, "What shall I do about my son?" ' Then you will go on from there until you reach the great tree of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a skin of wine. They will greet you and offer you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from them. After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever you hand finds to do, for God is with you."
See, God knows we have needs: emotional needs, physical needs, and spiritual needs. And even though Saul had been away from his family longer than he had intended, and even though all his food was gone, and even though he had not been very religious prior to this, God met him where he was and took him where He wanted him to go. God assured him in the first sign that his father had not forgotten him; the men he met first told him that his father was not worried about the donkeys but was worried about him. If I had been in that position, I would have been encouraged by that. Not only did it show that my family had been thinking of me, but it fulfilled what the man of God had said. Next, when they had gone a distance on their journey, and were probably going to be hungry, they met three men who, like the Magi, were bearing gifts. One of the men would give Saul and his servant bread to eat. This was God's way of meeting Saul's physical needs. The third sign was when they came upon a parade, with music, dancing and prophesying. But Saul didn't just stand by and watch. He joined in; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and allowed him to exercise a spiritual gift. This was a sign not just for Saul, but for the people. Remember, Saul stood a head taller than everyone else; so when he joined in the prophesying, all eyes were drawn to him. God had special things in store for Saul, and he was equipping Saul in a special way.
God Completely Changes Our Hearts
Beginning in verse 9: "As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying. When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, 'What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?' "
Just like Samuel had said, God changed Saul's heart. He sent His Holy Spirit to come upon Saul, and as a result Saul exhibited an outward gift, that of prophesy. Saul had never prophesied before. He had probably never even thought about God all that much--maybe during the annual sacrifices at the High Places (this was before the Temple was built).
I don't know about you, but this is very encouraging to me. God can take me from where I am, completely change my heart, and allow me to do things I could never do before, in situations I would never find myself in without God's direct help. Praise the Lord!
God Completes His Plan, Despite Our Disobedience
From verse 25 on to the end of the chapter: "Samuel explained to the people the regulations of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home. Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. But some troublemakers said, 'How can this fellow save us?' They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent."
Why would the men despise Saul? Because they had seen what he had done after Samuel anointed him king. Samuel had invited him to a feast given in Saul's honor, and had seated him at the head of the table. Samuel had even given him permission to gloat, so to speak, when he said "do whatever your hand finds to do, because God is with you." And after the signs that God had shown Saul, he should have been shocked and awed at the power given to him to do good. But instead, Saul hid. In verses 17 through 24, it tells how Samuel gathered all the people together, and said God has chosen your king today. He inquired of God, and separated the people, clan by clan. The tribe of Benjamin was chosen, Kish's family was chosen, and Saul was chosen among the family of Kish. But where was Saul? He was hiding among the luggage.
Here was a man that stood head and shoulders above the others, cowering in the shadows. He had seen God's power and provision, yet he was afraid. Like Jonah, he ran. Like Moses, he was ready to tell God "NO!" This was not extraordinary humility--this was cowardice. Thankfully, God found him and used him for His purpose anyway.
See, when God calls us, and covers us, and fills us with His Spirit, this does not mean we are perfect. We will fall. I John 2:1-2 says, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." If the whole law stopped with the first sentence of that verse, we would be doomed. But God allowed a sacrifice for sin--in Saul's time, it was sheep and bulls; but in the fulfilment of time, it was Jesus Christ Himself who became a sacrifice for us. This same Jesus defends us before the Father in Heaven, so that instead of condemnation, we have comfort; instead of death, we have deliverance; instead of hell, we have heaven.
What about you? Will you let God change you? Will you allow Him to change your heart, and take you to places that no eyes have seen and no mind can conceive? Give Him your heart, and let him forgive you today.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Why are we here?
Dear Readers:
Please forgive my anti-government rant yesterday. It just burns me up when a politician who hasn't prayed in years shows up at a National Prayer Breakfast in Washington because he thinks it will play well with the folks back home. But that is not the true function of this blog. The true intention is to minister to a wider audience, to show how high and how wide and how deep is the love of God. My purpose here is to raise up the Creator, not tear down the creatures.
If you find something in these missives that inspires you, makes you think, or moves you to action, please take the time to post a comment. If you would like me to weigh in on a particular topic, let me know that, too. I truly want this to be a ministry, not a forum for me to let off steam. And if you want to support our sponsors, that would be okay, too.
Sincerely,
Blynn
So why are we here? What is the purpose in life? This question has been on the minds of people as long as there have been people. In the 1600's, philosopher Rene Descartes wrote, "I think, therefore I am." But that begs the question: does what you think determine who you are? Shakespeare wrote, "To be, or not to be, that is the question."
The apostle Paul posed a similar question in Philippians, chapter one. I think his imprisonment had started him thinking about his own death, and what that might mean. I don't think he was suicidally depressed, because in verses 18 and 19 he says he will continue to rejoice, in that whatever happens it will "turn out for my deliverance." If God allowed him to live, then Paul would have a great testimony of being delivered from his captors. If God chose to take him home, Paul would then be delivered from suffering and human bondage. This is the meaning of verse 21: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Paul was so emptied of himself and so full of Christ that it didn't matter to him what happened next--it was all to the glory of Christ. Heaven holds wonderful benefits that the mind cannot conceive, but Paul knew that the people he would come into contact with in the future would need to know Christ--either for the first time, as in evangelism, or on a deeper level, as in discipleship. Paul was well equipped for either task, and had shown himself capable of doing both. But if God wanted to call him home, that was even better for him!
So what about you? Why are you here? Are you so wrapped up in your own problems and difficulties that you can't see any way out? Be encouraged--God is bigger than your problems. If you don't know Him personally, take the time to meet Him now. I John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Revelation 3:20 says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him."
See, God wants a relationship with you. He has provided a way for us to reach Him, but the choice is ours. Each of us must individually take Him at His word, and accept His offer of eternal life. If you have not met God on His terms, and accepted His free gift of salvation, please do it today. Just ask Jesus to come into your heart. Use your own words, your own thoughts--God knows the heart, and he doesn't want lip service, he wants all of you. Give yourself to Him today.
If you have already received Him as your personal Savior, spend some time with Him each day. Talk to Him in prayer, and read the Bible. It doesn't have to be much. I read from a different passage each day. To avoid boredom and complacency, I have divided the Scriptures into seven sections. Each Sunday I will read one chapter from the books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.) I know that if I read from Numbers every day, I would quit; so I read one chapter a week from this section On Mondays I read from the books of history (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and probably Job, although that is part of the Wisdom literature). I have been doing it for more than a year, so I am in I Samuel now, and looking forward to Monday to read how God delivered His people yet again. Tuesdays is a chapter from Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (I could add Job in here, too, if I wanted). Since Psalms is 150 chapters, I know before I start that it will take 3 years to read through the entire book.
Wednesdays I read one chapter from the Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel). Thursdays I read one chapter from the Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). Although this section has the most books, it is the shortest one--I will finish Zechariah soon and read Malachi, and then I will start over with Hosea. Fridays I read one chapter from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and I have added Acts in with this section.) Saturdays I read from the Epistles, or letters from Paul, John and others (Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thesalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, Jude and Revelation).
This has taken a while to explain, but is is really simple. And I hope you don't think this is a boastful, "look what I do" statement. It is meant to encourage you in your walk with Him. Whatever method you use, find one that is meaningful to you and stick with it. Be faithful, as God is faithful, and He will bless you richly.
I'm not perfect. I'm far from it. But I am blessed by God, and that makes it all worthwhile. God bless you in your walk with Him.
Please forgive my anti-government rant yesterday. It just burns me up when a politician who hasn't prayed in years shows up at a National Prayer Breakfast in Washington because he thinks it will play well with the folks back home. But that is not the true function of this blog. The true intention is to minister to a wider audience, to show how high and how wide and how deep is the love of God. My purpose here is to raise up the Creator, not tear down the creatures.
If you find something in these missives that inspires you, makes you think, or moves you to action, please take the time to post a comment. If you would like me to weigh in on a particular topic, let me know that, too. I truly want this to be a ministry, not a forum for me to let off steam. And if you want to support our sponsors, that would be okay, too.
Sincerely,
Blynn
So why are we here? What is the purpose in life? This question has been on the minds of people as long as there have been people. In the 1600's, philosopher Rene Descartes wrote, "I think, therefore I am." But that begs the question: does what you think determine who you are? Shakespeare wrote, "To be, or not to be, that is the question."
The apostle Paul posed a similar question in Philippians, chapter one. I think his imprisonment had started him thinking about his own death, and what that might mean. I don't think he was suicidally depressed, because in verses 18 and 19 he says he will continue to rejoice, in that whatever happens it will "turn out for my deliverance." If God allowed him to live, then Paul would have a great testimony of being delivered from his captors. If God chose to take him home, Paul would then be delivered from suffering and human bondage. This is the meaning of verse 21: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Paul was so emptied of himself and so full of Christ that it didn't matter to him what happened next--it was all to the glory of Christ. Heaven holds wonderful benefits that the mind cannot conceive, but Paul knew that the people he would come into contact with in the future would need to know Christ--either for the first time, as in evangelism, or on a deeper level, as in discipleship. Paul was well equipped for either task, and had shown himself capable of doing both. But if God wanted to call him home, that was even better for him!
So what about you? Why are you here? Are you so wrapped up in your own problems and difficulties that you can't see any way out? Be encouraged--God is bigger than your problems. If you don't know Him personally, take the time to meet Him now. I John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Revelation 3:20 says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him."
See, God wants a relationship with you. He has provided a way for us to reach Him, but the choice is ours. Each of us must individually take Him at His word, and accept His offer of eternal life. If you have not met God on His terms, and accepted His free gift of salvation, please do it today. Just ask Jesus to come into your heart. Use your own words, your own thoughts--God knows the heart, and he doesn't want lip service, he wants all of you. Give yourself to Him today.
If you have already received Him as your personal Savior, spend some time with Him each day. Talk to Him in prayer, and read the Bible. It doesn't have to be much. I read from a different passage each day. To avoid boredom and complacency, I have divided the Scriptures into seven sections. Each Sunday I will read one chapter from the books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.) I know that if I read from Numbers every day, I would quit; so I read one chapter a week from this section On Mondays I read from the books of history (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and probably Job, although that is part of the Wisdom literature). I have been doing it for more than a year, so I am in I Samuel now, and looking forward to Monday to read how God delivered His people yet again. Tuesdays is a chapter from Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (I could add Job in here, too, if I wanted). Since Psalms is 150 chapters, I know before I start that it will take 3 years to read through the entire book.
Wednesdays I read one chapter from the Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel). Thursdays I read one chapter from the Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habbakuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). Although this section has the most books, it is the shortest one--I will finish Zechariah soon and read Malachi, and then I will start over with Hosea. Fridays I read one chapter from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and I have added Acts in with this section.) Saturdays I read from the Epistles, or letters from Paul, John and others (Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thesalonians, I and II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, Jude and Revelation).
This has taken a while to explain, but is is really simple. And I hope you don't think this is a boastful, "look what I do" statement. It is meant to encourage you in your walk with Him. Whatever method you use, find one that is meaningful to you and stick with it. Be faithful, as God is faithful, and He will bless you richly.
I'm not perfect. I'm far from it. But I am blessed by God, and that makes it all worthwhile. God bless you in your walk with Him.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
What would a REAL National Day of Prayer look like?
The 58th chapter of Isaiah really foreshadows the Pharisees of Jesus' day. And really, 21st century America, as well. Starting in verse 2: "For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them. 'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves and You have not noticed?' Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?"
Every US President in modern history has ended important addresses with the phrase "God bless America." Is this an empty phrase, something that we have grown to expect at the end of State of the Union Addresses, but don't really expect too much blessing to follow? If so, why do we expect it? And why do our politicians continue to say it?
Each time there is a national tragedy, somebody in government calls for a National Day of Prayer. Yet how much praying will be going on if all the stores are still open, and people have to go to work? Just once I'd like to see a US President say, "Citizens of America, we will stop business as usual and declare a holiday. But this will not be like any other holiday, where restaurants and movie theaters and theme parks beckon you to have a great time. No, today we will all stay home; everyone except essential service workers like police, firefighters, and hospital staff will be urged to truly humble yourselves before your Maker, and to pray. Today we will proclaim a fast, not just of food, but of television and other entertainment venues; not just of drink, but of all commerce and profit-making." That would get our attention. That would get God's attention.
Isaiah goes on to describe the kind of fasting that God would honor: in verse 7 he says "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?" This makes it personal, not national. It is not for us to give all our money to the government in taxes so that the government can feed and clothe people. Rather, it is up to each and every one of us to meet the needs of those around us, especially our families.
Today, we have it all backwards. The government is responsible for everyone, the families are only responsible to get the kids to the government sponsored schools or to get to the government approved jobs, and the individuals have no responsibility other than to pay taxes to the government. No, no, a thousand times no! We must go back to individual responsibility, where each person is responsible for his own upkeep; and where people are not able to care for themselves (e.g. children, the sick, the elderly), then the family is responsible for their care. Beyond that, the Bible says that the Church should care for the widows and orphans, that is the ones without family to care for them. And the government only provides what the families and the Church are unable to provide for themselves (e.g. National Defense, a National Currency, and State and National Courts to administer justice.)
In the movie Shenandoah, the patriarch character played by Jimmy Stewart tries to keep his family out of the Civil War. But when his children are taken prisoner, he leaves his house and family behind to go and get his children back. Isn't this a picture of our Heavenly Father? During one scene, a Union officer tries to convince the patriarch of the benefit of a standing army, and how each family should send their sons to serve in the army. Jimmy Stewart barks back "They don't belong to the state, they belong to ME! When they were babies I never saw the state comin' around here with a spare tit!" Other movies of that era, like The Grapes of Wrath, stated a nationally shared view that people were honestly embarrassed to receive charity--if they didn't work for it, they didn't want it. When did this attitude change? When did we become a nation of victims, a people so hooked on entitlements? When did we go "through the looking glass", as described by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland--to a place where Up is Down and Down is Up? More importantly, why would we want to stay in such a pitiable condition?
But thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The remainder of Isaiah 58 describes the blessings God wants to give His people if they would just get their hearts right, and start doing right, and stop their hypocrisy. "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear. Then your righteousness will go before you, and the Glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and the Lord will say, 'Here am I.'....The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land, and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins, and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called the Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
The good news is that no matter how bad things get, God still wants to bless us. He still wants to make us whole, to raise us up to new heights, to prepare a feast like no other for us. All we have to do is follow Him, and do what He says. "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land." What a wonderful promise! Why wouldn't anybody want that? Why don't we do everything we can possibly do to get the most from God? Why dwell in hypocrisy and sin when we can dwell in the House of the Lord forever, Amen!
Every US President in modern history has ended important addresses with the phrase "God bless America." Is this an empty phrase, something that we have grown to expect at the end of State of the Union Addresses, but don't really expect too much blessing to follow? If so, why do we expect it? And why do our politicians continue to say it?
Each time there is a national tragedy, somebody in government calls for a National Day of Prayer. Yet how much praying will be going on if all the stores are still open, and people have to go to work? Just once I'd like to see a US President say, "Citizens of America, we will stop business as usual and declare a holiday. But this will not be like any other holiday, where restaurants and movie theaters and theme parks beckon you to have a great time. No, today we will all stay home; everyone except essential service workers like police, firefighters, and hospital staff will be urged to truly humble yourselves before your Maker, and to pray. Today we will proclaim a fast, not just of food, but of television and other entertainment venues; not just of drink, but of all commerce and profit-making." That would get our attention. That would get God's attention.
Isaiah goes on to describe the kind of fasting that God would honor: in verse 7 he says "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?" This makes it personal, not national. It is not for us to give all our money to the government in taxes so that the government can feed and clothe people. Rather, it is up to each and every one of us to meet the needs of those around us, especially our families.
Today, we have it all backwards. The government is responsible for everyone, the families are only responsible to get the kids to the government sponsored schools or to get to the government approved jobs, and the individuals have no responsibility other than to pay taxes to the government. No, no, a thousand times no! We must go back to individual responsibility, where each person is responsible for his own upkeep; and where people are not able to care for themselves (e.g. children, the sick, the elderly), then the family is responsible for their care. Beyond that, the Bible says that the Church should care for the widows and orphans, that is the ones without family to care for them. And the government only provides what the families and the Church are unable to provide for themselves (e.g. National Defense, a National Currency, and State and National Courts to administer justice.)
In the movie Shenandoah, the patriarch character played by Jimmy Stewart tries to keep his family out of the Civil War. But when his children are taken prisoner, he leaves his house and family behind to go and get his children back. Isn't this a picture of our Heavenly Father? During one scene, a Union officer tries to convince the patriarch of the benefit of a standing army, and how each family should send their sons to serve in the army. Jimmy Stewart barks back "They don't belong to the state, they belong to ME! When they were babies I never saw the state comin' around here with a spare tit!" Other movies of that era, like The Grapes of Wrath, stated a nationally shared view that people were honestly embarrassed to receive charity--if they didn't work for it, they didn't want it. When did this attitude change? When did we become a nation of victims, a people so hooked on entitlements? When did we go "through the looking glass", as described by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland--to a place where Up is Down and Down is Up? More importantly, why would we want to stay in such a pitiable condition?
But thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The remainder of Isaiah 58 describes the blessings God wants to give His people if they would just get their hearts right, and start doing right, and stop their hypocrisy. "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear. Then your righteousness will go before you, and the Glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and the Lord will say, 'Here am I.'....The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land, and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins, and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called the Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
The good news is that no matter how bad things get, God still wants to bless us. He still wants to make us whole, to raise us up to new heights, to prepare a feast like no other for us. All we have to do is follow Him, and do what He says. "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land." What a wonderful promise! Why wouldn't anybody want that? Why don't we do everything we can possibly do to get the most from God? Why dwell in hypocrisy and sin when we can dwell in the House of the Lord forever, Amen!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
I'd be so happy if only I had....
Last Sunday I got to serve at the Super Bowl. Among the VIPs visiting the suites on the floor I work on were journalists, radio personalities, and recording artists. There were two in particular that were about as close to royalty as can be found in America. Not the people themselves, but the way they were treated. I was standing outside one of the suites I was serving in, when from across the hall near the elevators I heard a big, booming voice say, "STEP ASIDE, PLEASE!" I looked up, and I saw a huge man about six paces ahead of singer/songwriter Stacy Ann Ferguson (AKA Fergie) and a couple of her lieutenants. Now, Fergie is the female member of the singing group The Black Eyed Peas, and they had just finished doing the half-time show at the Super Bowl. She was coming to her suite to relax and get something to eat and drink after the show. But the entourage is what intrigued me--the caller out front, not so much trying to make a way as to call attention to the celebrity behind him; the flunkies behind the celebrity, and the singer herself smiling to the left and the right, nodding toward a fan, winking at another.
The other person I saw with the royal treatment was Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota. He was accompanied by a State Trooper and an aide, probably a Press Secretary. He was apparently suite-hopping, because he entered the suite I was attending without a ticket, but the suite owner welcomed him in and introduced him to the other guests. Governor Dayton shook hands, posed for pictures, and left within a period of ten minutes.
I thought of these two brushes with fame as I read I Samuel chapter 8 this week. Israel was a fledgling nation, and they had been led by God, with the Priests as God's spokesmen. Eli had served all of his life, but his sons Hophni and Phinehas desecrated the Temple. Samuel had been given to God by his mother Hannah, and served as priest all of his life. His sons Joel and Abijah were being groomed to take their father's place, but they were corrupt--they accepted bribes and perverted justice. So the people asked for a king.
Now Israel had never had a king before. They had always followed God, and obeyed his law. They had let Him lead them into battle, and had seen His mighty hand at work. So it is not clear why the elders came to Samuel and asked that he appoint a king to rule over them. Perhaps they were wary of being led by Samuel's corrupt sons. Maybe they wanted a ruler they could approach, and see, and talk to personally instead of having a priest act as a go-between. Maybe they were tired of trying to explain to their Philistine friends how their government worked: "God is our king--no, really. He leads our nation, and writes our laws, and...what? No, I don't know what His handwriting looks like. But He makes the laws and accepts our tribute, and...what? No, we can't show you His palace, but we have this nifty Temple! Yes, I know you guys have a temple to your god, too, but ours is really neat."
But seriously, there is similarity to the recent unrest in Egypt and the downfall of Hosni Mubarak, which has left a void in that nation's government. The people have demanded that he step down, but they have no clue as to who will lead their nation now. The army has taken over, which is probably not what the demonstrators wanted, but they didn't really think that far in advance, did they? Who will fill the void? What will the new leader's position be regarding a State religion, or Egypt's relationship with Israel? The American media has glossed over these questions, saying it paves the way for democracy in the Middle East. But they are blind to the prophecies in the Bible that predict a world leader rising up from that region and taking on the spirit of Antichrist, demanding that the entire world bow to him.
I digress. So the elders of Israel come to Samuel and ask for a king. Samuel is displeased, and prays to God. God voices His displeasure at this request, and tells Samuel to go back and educate the people on what having a king really means. In verses 11 through 18, Samuel tells the people why this is a bad idea. "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: he will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best from your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves. 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."
Samuel's argument to the people is three-fold: First, the king will get all the things that you are supposed to give to God. He will take a tenth of your flocks and herds and a tenth of the fruit of the ground; so why is that preferable to giving God a tithe? Second, the king will take from your family to give to his attendants and servants. He will take the best of what you earn, the best of what you grow, even the best people among you, and make them his. How is this better than giving your best to God? Third, he will take your very souls; he will steal your freedom, and make you subservient to his every whim. How is this better than serving God, who lets you make your own choices and even your own mistakes so you can learn from them?
I think many of us today have this same mind-set. We know God wants us to follow Him, but we are tired of waiting for His Blessing. We'd really be happy if we had something else, anything else. From a sociological perspective, women are more apt to wish for a relationship, and men are more likely to wish for things. Women will say, "if I only had a boyfriend," or "if I only had a husband", or "if I only had a baby, then I'd be happy." Men will say, "if I only had a better job," or "if I only had a faster car", or "if I only had a big house, boat, RV, monster truck, deer lease, motorcycle, lake house, and big-screen high definition TV, then I'd be happy." God knows that people will let you down, and that new things will lose their luster. These things cannot make you happy. Fame and riches cannot make you happy. Yes, if I were richer, I'd be happier, but not for long--soon, I'd be wanting something else.
Proverbs says "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added to you." That's what God told Israel through Samuel, but they did not listen. That's what God is trying to get through to us; are we open to His message?
Father God, let me not be distracted with things or relationships. Let me go "all in" by serving you with everything I have. If I am blessed with money or houses or lands, or with a huge family and friends who love me, then let me praise you for giving them to me. Then let me be wholly devoted to you, lest I lose all my toys, and all my family members quarrel, and my friends forsake me. You are my King. You are all I need.
The other person I saw with the royal treatment was Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota. He was accompanied by a State Trooper and an aide, probably a Press Secretary. He was apparently suite-hopping, because he entered the suite I was attending without a ticket, but the suite owner welcomed him in and introduced him to the other guests. Governor Dayton shook hands, posed for pictures, and left within a period of ten minutes.
I thought of these two brushes with fame as I read I Samuel chapter 8 this week. Israel was a fledgling nation, and they had been led by God, with the Priests as God's spokesmen. Eli had served all of his life, but his sons Hophni and Phinehas desecrated the Temple. Samuel had been given to God by his mother Hannah, and served as priest all of his life. His sons Joel and Abijah were being groomed to take their father's place, but they were corrupt--they accepted bribes and perverted justice. So the people asked for a king.
Now Israel had never had a king before. They had always followed God, and obeyed his law. They had let Him lead them into battle, and had seen His mighty hand at work. So it is not clear why the elders came to Samuel and asked that he appoint a king to rule over them. Perhaps they were wary of being led by Samuel's corrupt sons. Maybe they wanted a ruler they could approach, and see, and talk to personally instead of having a priest act as a go-between. Maybe they were tired of trying to explain to their Philistine friends how their government worked: "God is our king--no, really. He leads our nation, and writes our laws, and...what? No, I don't know what His handwriting looks like. But He makes the laws and accepts our tribute, and...what? No, we can't show you His palace, but we have this nifty Temple! Yes, I know you guys have a temple to your god, too, but ours is really neat."
But seriously, there is similarity to the recent unrest in Egypt and the downfall of Hosni Mubarak, which has left a void in that nation's government. The people have demanded that he step down, but they have no clue as to who will lead their nation now. The army has taken over, which is probably not what the demonstrators wanted, but they didn't really think that far in advance, did they? Who will fill the void? What will the new leader's position be regarding a State religion, or Egypt's relationship with Israel? The American media has glossed over these questions, saying it paves the way for democracy in the Middle East. But they are blind to the prophecies in the Bible that predict a world leader rising up from that region and taking on the spirit of Antichrist, demanding that the entire world bow to him.
I digress. So the elders of Israel come to Samuel and ask for a king. Samuel is displeased, and prays to God. God voices His displeasure at this request, and tells Samuel to go back and educate the people on what having a king really means. In verses 11 through 18, Samuel tells the people why this is a bad idea. "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: he will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best from your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves. 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."
Samuel's argument to the people is three-fold: First, the king will get all the things that you are supposed to give to God. He will take a tenth of your flocks and herds and a tenth of the fruit of the ground; so why is that preferable to giving God a tithe? Second, the king will take from your family to give to his attendants and servants. He will take the best of what you earn, the best of what you grow, even the best people among you, and make them his. How is this better than giving your best to God? Third, he will take your very souls; he will steal your freedom, and make you subservient to his every whim. How is this better than serving God, who lets you make your own choices and even your own mistakes so you can learn from them?
I think many of us today have this same mind-set. We know God wants us to follow Him, but we are tired of waiting for His Blessing. We'd really be happy if we had something else, anything else. From a sociological perspective, women are more apt to wish for a relationship, and men are more likely to wish for things. Women will say, "if I only had a boyfriend," or "if I only had a husband", or "if I only had a baby, then I'd be happy." Men will say, "if I only had a better job," or "if I only had a faster car", or "if I only had a big house, boat, RV, monster truck, deer lease, motorcycle, lake house, and big-screen high definition TV, then I'd be happy." God knows that people will let you down, and that new things will lose their luster. These things cannot make you happy. Fame and riches cannot make you happy. Yes, if I were richer, I'd be happier, but not for long--soon, I'd be wanting something else.
Proverbs says "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things will be added to you." That's what God told Israel through Samuel, but they did not listen. That's what God is trying to get through to us; are we open to His message?
Father God, let me not be distracted with things or relationships. Let me go "all in" by serving you with everything I have. If I am blessed with money or houses or lands, or with a huge family and friends who love me, then let me praise you for giving them to me. Then let me be wholly devoted to you, lest I lose all my toys, and all my family members quarrel, and my friends forsake me. You are my King. You are all I need.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A modern parable of salvation
Once upon a time there was a very wealthy man. He built a luxurious banquet hall, and always kept it well stocked with delicious food and drink. But from the time he built it, he noticed fewer and fewer people came in to dine with him. Most did not want to pay the cost.
So the wealthy man went out and found Abe, and gave him a ticket good for unlimited visits to the banquet hall. He explained to Abe that all he had to do to keep the ticket was to honor the wealthy man, and treat others fairly. If Abe failed at any time to honor the wealthy man or to treat others fairly, he could bring a bull, and they would cook it together, and everything would be all right after that. Abe could share his ticket with other people, and they could have access to the great banquet hall, too, as long as they followed the same rules. If they broke the rules, they would have to bring a bull, a sheep, a dove--whatever they could afford. That animal would be cooked and shared between the wealthy man and his friend, and all would be right after that.
As time went on, Abe shared his ticket with his family and friends, and the number of visitors to the great banquet hall grew. The wealthy man was very happy. He was hopeful that all men would hear about the banquet hall, and come to get a ticket. But it was not to be.
Generations passed, and fewer people asked for tickets. Abe's descendants all felt entitled to the tickets, and hoarded them to themselves. Some of Abe's descendants didn't follow the rules, and didn't bring any animal to cook before the wealthy man. Fellowship was lost.
One day, the wealthy man's son came to talk to Abe's family. He said that many of them had stopped honoring the wealthy man in their hearts, and only paid lip service. He said they were wicked, and in need of a change. So the son said when he took over the banquet hall, there would be no need to bring animals to cook. And you didn't have to have a ticket, since the son would stamp their hands for free. All they had to do was ask him.
Well, the descendants of Abe were shocked. This was heresy! Many had passed their tickets down from father to son, from mother to daughter, for generations. And now this upstart kid says anybody can come to the banquet hall without a ticket? And no animals had to be cooked any more? Blasphemy. They took the Son and put him to death. They tried to go back to the way things had been.
But the son had a kind of insurance policy that would continue the great banquet hall forever if he died. He also had a great physician, who brought him back to life. Soon, all the other people of the world heard about the son. They were glad that they didn't have to be in Abe's family line to get to eat at the great banquet hall. They were glad they didn't need a ticket to get in, and they were glad that if they lost their tickets, they didn't have to cook animals to be admitted in again. Multitudes came to the son and asked him to stamp their hands. Now the whole world had access to the great banquet hall. And if they broke the rules, they were forgiven and welcomed in anyway.
Not too long after this, the people stopped getting their hands stamped. They knew that the son had given them access, and they said in their hearts, "He loves us so much he will let us all into the great banquet hall when we are ready." Some thought, "I'm a good person. I don't need a stamp on my hand to prove that I am good." So it goes that with every generation, some will do what is required, while others scoff, or wait for a better offer, or think they can get in on their own.
Micah 6:8 says "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord desires of you--to know justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God." This was the gospel of the Old Testament, but it was history, and prophecy as well. The Law was justice; anyone who disobeyed was cast out. The sacrifice is mercy, leading up to the ultimate sacrifice of God's Son Jesus. After His death, no other sacrifice was needed. All have access to God through the death of His Son. But we must be humble before God. We cannot think of ourselves as deserving of heaven. We cannot be so arrogant as to think God will reason with us, will listen to us if we just explain how good a person we are, or how much we have done for other people. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
How, then, can we justify ourselves? We must know that God has given us three gifts.
First, God gave us the Law. If we follow the Law, and never sin, we can earn heaven. The Law shows us how great God is, and how far below His standards we have fallen. The Law is the basis of our justice system, and of our consciences. We innately know in our hearts when we have done wrong. It gives us our sense of guilt. But nobody likes guilt. Guilt is bad. We don't want to think about it. We want to think about good things, not go on a guilt trip. But the Bible says we must know justice in order to follow God.
Second, God gave us Grace. He didn't have to do anything after setting up the Law. If you follow it, you get in. If not, you're out. Simple. Elegant. And deadly. But because He desires fellowship with us, He gave us mercy. In the sacrificial law of Moses there was an alter called the Mercy Seat. He has always shown mercy. And in the fullness of time, He sent His Son to die a sacrificial death, so that we can enjoy fellowship with Him forever. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Third, God gave us free will. This, I think, is the reason He works so hard to redeem us. He could have made us all robots, or subservient minions who always are at His beck and call. But because He desires true fellowship, not a false programmed devotion, we have to be able to choose whether we want fellowship with Him or not. And even though it breaks His heart when we choose our own way, He knows that is the best way, and that He has done everything possible to draw us to Himself. He has gone to death's door for us, in order to give us life. He has bent over backwards to broadcast this message clearly to us, so that all may know. So why haven't we all accepted His offer?
I think the devil has blinded us to responsibility. We must choose Him. We cannot assume that we will go to heaven just because we are of a certain race, or or a certain family. We cannot take half a Gospel, and say "God's will is for no man to perish; I am a man; therefore I will not perish." This is faulty logic. God doesn't always get His way. We must acknowledge Him (know justice); we must accept Him (love mercy); we must ask Him to save us (walk humbly before our God).
Some day the world will end. The Son will stop stamping people's hands to get into the Great Banquet Hall of Heaven. Tickets will no longer be honored. Where will you be when the last Trumpet sounds?
So the wealthy man went out and found Abe, and gave him a ticket good for unlimited visits to the banquet hall. He explained to Abe that all he had to do to keep the ticket was to honor the wealthy man, and treat others fairly. If Abe failed at any time to honor the wealthy man or to treat others fairly, he could bring a bull, and they would cook it together, and everything would be all right after that. Abe could share his ticket with other people, and they could have access to the great banquet hall, too, as long as they followed the same rules. If they broke the rules, they would have to bring a bull, a sheep, a dove--whatever they could afford. That animal would be cooked and shared between the wealthy man and his friend, and all would be right after that.
As time went on, Abe shared his ticket with his family and friends, and the number of visitors to the great banquet hall grew. The wealthy man was very happy. He was hopeful that all men would hear about the banquet hall, and come to get a ticket. But it was not to be.
Generations passed, and fewer people asked for tickets. Abe's descendants all felt entitled to the tickets, and hoarded them to themselves. Some of Abe's descendants didn't follow the rules, and didn't bring any animal to cook before the wealthy man. Fellowship was lost.
One day, the wealthy man's son came to talk to Abe's family. He said that many of them had stopped honoring the wealthy man in their hearts, and only paid lip service. He said they were wicked, and in need of a change. So the son said when he took over the banquet hall, there would be no need to bring animals to cook. And you didn't have to have a ticket, since the son would stamp their hands for free. All they had to do was ask him.
Well, the descendants of Abe were shocked. This was heresy! Many had passed their tickets down from father to son, from mother to daughter, for generations. And now this upstart kid says anybody can come to the banquet hall without a ticket? And no animals had to be cooked any more? Blasphemy. They took the Son and put him to death. They tried to go back to the way things had been.
But the son had a kind of insurance policy that would continue the great banquet hall forever if he died. He also had a great physician, who brought him back to life. Soon, all the other people of the world heard about the son. They were glad that they didn't have to be in Abe's family line to get to eat at the great banquet hall. They were glad they didn't need a ticket to get in, and they were glad that if they lost their tickets, they didn't have to cook animals to be admitted in again. Multitudes came to the son and asked him to stamp their hands. Now the whole world had access to the great banquet hall. And if they broke the rules, they were forgiven and welcomed in anyway.
Not too long after this, the people stopped getting their hands stamped. They knew that the son had given them access, and they said in their hearts, "He loves us so much he will let us all into the great banquet hall when we are ready." Some thought, "I'm a good person. I don't need a stamp on my hand to prove that I am good." So it goes that with every generation, some will do what is required, while others scoff, or wait for a better offer, or think they can get in on their own.
Micah 6:8 says "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord desires of you--to know justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God." This was the gospel of the Old Testament, but it was history, and prophecy as well. The Law was justice; anyone who disobeyed was cast out. The sacrifice is mercy, leading up to the ultimate sacrifice of God's Son Jesus. After His death, no other sacrifice was needed. All have access to God through the death of His Son. But we must be humble before God. We cannot think of ourselves as deserving of heaven. We cannot be so arrogant as to think God will reason with us, will listen to us if we just explain how good a person we are, or how much we have done for other people. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
How, then, can we justify ourselves? We must know that God has given us three gifts.
First, God gave us the Law. If we follow the Law, and never sin, we can earn heaven. The Law shows us how great God is, and how far below His standards we have fallen. The Law is the basis of our justice system, and of our consciences. We innately know in our hearts when we have done wrong. It gives us our sense of guilt. But nobody likes guilt. Guilt is bad. We don't want to think about it. We want to think about good things, not go on a guilt trip. But the Bible says we must know justice in order to follow God.
Second, God gave us Grace. He didn't have to do anything after setting up the Law. If you follow it, you get in. If not, you're out. Simple. Elegant. And deadly. But because He desires fellowship with us, He gave us mercy. In the sacrificial law of Moses there was an alter called the Mercy Seat. He has always shown mercy. And in the fullness of time, He sent His Son to die a sacrificial death, so that we can enjoy fellowship with Him forever. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Third, God gave us free will. This, I think, is the reason He works so hard to redeem us. He could have made us all robots, or subservient minions who always are at His beck and call. But because He desires true fellowship, not a false programmed devotion, we have to be able to choose whether we want fellowship with Him or not. And even though it breaks His heart when we choose our own way, He knows that is the best way, and that He has done everything possible to draw us to Himself. He has gone to death's door for us, in order to give us life. He has bent over backwards to broadcast this message clearly to us, so that all may know. So why haven't we all accepted His offer?
I think the devil has blinded us to responsibility. We must choose Him. We cannot assume that we will go to heaven just because we are of a certain race, or or a certain family. We cannot take half a Gospel, and say "God's will is for no man to perish; I am a man; therefore I will not perish." This is faulty logic. God doesn't always get His way. We must acknowledge Him (know justice); we must accept Him (love mercy); we must ask Him to save us (walk humbly before our God).
Some day the world will end. The Son will stop stamping people's hands to get into the Great Banquet Hall of Heaven. Tickets will no longer be honored. Where will you be when the last Trumpet sounds?
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