A Glimpse of God’s Hand

A friend sent me a link to this video.  Watch it, then come back to read the rest.

http://www.wimp.com/sheeplight/

Now think about how God describes us…we’re the sheep of His pasture.  Those sheep had no idea that there were lights of different colors strapped to their backs, or that the shepherds were doing such amazing things with them.  All they knew was that some dog was nipping at their heels and barking all the time, never giving them a moment’s rest.  Those pitiful, complaining sheep (oh, and a few goats, don’t forget them!) played a mean game of pong (helping their shepherd defeat his enemy) and then formed an absolute masterpiece, but it required a heavenly perspective to understand the reason for all that nipping and barking.

One more thought—I was reminded today how beautiful it is to be a part of the body of Christ.  Lost people are often watching us, trying to determine if we’re for real, simply because they earnestly desire a transformed life, but can’t really say they’ve ever actually seen one.  This morning, three women keeping watch in a hospital room were asked a very simple question—are you family?  One was the daughter of “the patient.”  She was born in Germany, lives in Texas, and has had a hard row to hoe for the last 25 years…but has never given up.  She’s belonged to several different churches, and has experienced great sadness and loss, great joy and growth.  One joined a certain church for only a brief time, met her husband, then moved off to other things in other lands.  One comes from a lost family, and has often wondered what will happen to her in her old age, as she is alone.

Nothing binds those women together now but the blood of Christ.  A simple test would reveal that they have no common ancestry.  Their lives are so different now that one meeting them would have to wonder how in the world they even knew each other.  Are they family?  They didn’t know how to answer.  Well, not legally, not really, not in the sense of, “are you breaking the law if you divulge medical information to me?”  Are they family?  Absolutely!  And the blood that binds them is so much thicker than water it has become a  yoke of iron.  Forged in the fires of adversity, shaped in the school of hard knocks, and tempered by time.  They are united for all eternity, even though they rarely get to enjoy each other’s company.

That’s what the world is looking for ladies—transforming power, and the Word of God says that it is by our love for one another that the lost will KNOW that we are HIS.  Both of these silent pictures, the sheep playing Pong and painting the Mona Lisa, and the three women sharing their silent vigil, took a Master hand, moving and shaping while the pixels of his picture, the iron in his forge, recognized only constant barking and hammering.

Don’t give up yet, sisters.  God is at work.  You may not see the lights on your back, but you are a part of HIS flock, a pixel in HIS masterpiece, a stroke against HIS enemy.  Your suffering has meaning, it has purpose.  Hang on for the day when He gives you a glimpse of HIS hand in your beautiful, crazy, nipped-at life.

It’s Greek to Me

Some of you know I’m taking Elementary Greek I on my lunch hour.  It’s Saturday, and I was sick all night, so I’m in bed this morning, and was reading my daily reading, and decided to try to translate just one verse from the original.  I chose Matthew 5:28, which, in our New Living Translation, says, “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

My Greek New Testament says it this way, “ἐγώ δέ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ βλέπων γυναῖκα πράς τό ἐπιθυμῆσαι αὐτήν ἤδη ἐμοιχευσεν αὐτήν ἐν τῂ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.”

After at least two hours, I’ve come up with this rough “wooden” (sorry, that’s where we are) translation–”But I say to you that all who fix their eyes toward a woman continuing lusting after her already continues to commit adultery in the heart in him.”

Several things I learned through all that blood, sweat, and tears:

• The “But I say” is very strong.  Make no mistake, Jesus is arguing against the common wisdom.
• The looking is not casual.  There is a sense of continuing.  This is not a “woops, there’s something there I should avoid looking at” moment.  Something catches his eye and he not only fails to look away, but gazes intently.  This is no accident.
• The adultery, in the same way, is not incidental.  It continues.
• The woman is not participating in this act in any way that I can see.  She is the object of his lust, but not participating.

I know, more than you ever wanted to know, right?  At the moment, Greek is entirely laborious to me, but one of the professors said, “Reading the New Testament in English is like a man kissing his bride through the veil.”  I’m looking forward to the veil being lifted–some day.

Have a fabulous weekend, and if you’re in my class, I’ll see you tomorrow!

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Matthew 5-7.

He’s Here!

If Matthew were preparing for a 20/20 spot, he would have begun by interviewing people who claimed to have been healed or raised from the dead, then he would have asked the Jewish scholars, “Could this be the Messiah you’ve been waiting for?  How would you know?”

The expected evidence is laid out–Matthew ensures his fellow Jews that Jesus is of the bloodline of David, the seed of the woman, foretold by the prophet in the wilderness, recognized and resisted by Satan.

As we read Matthew’s account, we have to bear in mind his purpose–presenting evidence to the Jews that Jesus fulfilled the expectations of the Old Testament. Matthew’s focus is on Jesus as the rightful King.

My favorite part of today’s passage is to see who is included in the bloodline–

• a liar (Abraham)
• a woman too old to have a child, married to a man too old to have a child (Sarah)
• a cheater (Jacob)
• a woman so desperate for a child that she tricked her father-in-law into getting her pregnant (Tamar)
• a harlot (Rahab)
• a Moabite widow (Ruth)
• the baby of the family–so low in rank his father didn’t even think of presenting him with the rest of the sons (David)
• an adulterer (David)
• an adulteress (Bathsheba)
• a murderer (David)
• a really bad parent (David)
• a man so arrogant he cause the permanent division of his kingdom (Rehoboam)

There may be hope for me yet–apparently God can use anybody.  If these very public failures are acknowledged as being in the bloodline of the ultimate King of the Universe, maybe–just maybe–God can still make something useful out of the mess I’ve made of my life.  Maybe your failures are just the beginning…maybe God can work everything together for good if we trust Him. Let’s watch!

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Matthew 1-4.

Life and Peace

Malachi shares the recipe for life and peace today–reverence.  As we close the Old Testament and prepare to dive into the New, Malachi recaps where the Israelites took a wrong turn–their priests left God’s paths, and the nation stumbled in sin.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but think of the last quarter of the year as the Christmas Season, because everything seems to revolve around that–shopping, cooking, traveling–lots of hectic activity.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to look forward to this season next year because of the life and peace we experienced this year?

Malachi tells us that God’s purpose for His people was life and peace, but that it required reverence (a feeling of profound awe and respect and often love–American Heritage Dictionary).  He goes on to describe the lives of the Levites, who

• greatly revered Him
• stood in awe of His name
• passed the truth of His word on to the people
• did not lie or cheat
• walked with Him
• lived good and righteous lives
• turned many from lives of sin

So there you have it–Malachi’s recipe for life and peace.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to serve it up as a wonderful sauce to pour over all of our holiday events this year?

As Malachi described the priests, who were the Levite’s leaders, I was reminded of our responsibility as New Testament priests to bring a lost world to Christ–we are charged with preserving the knowledge of Christ, and people should be able to come to us for instruction as the messengers of God.  Malachi indicted the Levitical priests for

• leaving God’s paths
• giving instruction that caused many to stumble in sin
• corrupting the covenant
• disobedience
• betraying each other

The result was that God made them despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the people.  Sound familiar?

How attractive we would be if our lives truly exuded life and peace.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Malachi 1-4.

Am I a Prostitute?

If the fruit of my life is not of God’s making, I’ve fallen into prostitution.  That’s the message of Hosea.  It speaks to me, to you, and should have spoken to the children of Israel during the years leading up to the dispersion.

God told Hosea to go marry a prostitute, because his life was going to illustrate how the children of Israel had fallen into idolatry and prostituted themselves—and Hosea never said a word.  When God told Ezekiel to cook food over human dung, Ezekiel balked, and God relented.  Hosea just quietly married Gomer.

Notice what is said about each of Gomer’s children:

• Jezreel—“God plants”—Gomer “gave Hosea a son,” (Hosea 1:3), so this one was Hosea’s.  Jehu had been commissioned to judge the family of Ahab, but he killed not only King Joram of Israel, but also King Ahaziah of Judah.  The reference here is that God planted Ahaziah to rule the southern kingdom, and Jehu, who was sent to do God’s work of judgment, went beyond God’s instructions to murder a righteous descendant of David at Jezreel.
• Lo-ruhamah—“not loved”—God told Hosea, “Name your daughter,” so this one was Hosea’s (Hosea 1:6).  Here the message is that Israel (the northern kingdom) is about to be removed from their land in judgment for their idolatry
• Lo-ammi—“not my people”—it is never even suggested that Hosea’s blood ran in this child’s veins.  The message here is that Israel is no longer God’s people, and He is not their God.  He tells Hosea “I will not love [Israel’s] children, for they were conceived in prostitution,” (Hosea 2:4).

God recalls (in chapter 2) how He had provided grain, new wine, olive oil, silver, gold, wool, linen, grapes, figs, earrings, and jewels to Israel, but she sold herself to other lovers “for food and water,” (v. 5, 8-12).  Don’t we do that?  God provides everything we need, but we get a notion in our head that we can’t live without something (or someone) and abandon God’s rich provision and prostitute ourselves for something that’s not even good for us.

The real message of Hosea, to me, is “But then I will win her back once again,” (Hosea 2:14).  That statement is SO rich.  God is speaking about his promiscuous wife.  God is the one doing the seeking—she (like Gomer) never seeks Him.  “Once again” implies the repetitive need to go chasing after His wayward wife.  Just like Hosea had to keep chasing Gomer down and hauling her back home.

When Hosea bought Gomer back from one of her lovers, he told her she must live in his house for many days without intimacy with anyone, even himself.  God said, “This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols!” (Hosea 3:4).

The most important word in Hosea seems to me to be “but.”

• “But I will show love to the people of Judah. I will free them from their enemies—not with weapons and armies or horses and charioteers, but by my power as the Lord their God,” (Hosea 1:7)
• “But then I will win her back once again,” (Hosea 2:14).
• “But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king,” (Hosea 3:5).

I’m out of time this morning, BUT one more thing:  “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is,” (2 Tim. 2:13).  All of us prostitute ourselves in one way or another when the fruit of our lives is not coming from our Lord.  BUT God is faithful—He will continue to come after us.  He wants you back.  If the voice in your head says “It’s too late,” you’re listening to lies.  God never gives up on His children.  Never.  No matter what.

This message covers Hosea 1-3, but if you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Hosea 7-8.  I will be blogging less frequently now, as I have homework every night.

A Praying Man

Think of the thing you have spent the most earnest time in prayer over–perhaps a lost loved one, or a friend’s battle with cancer.  Now imagine what you couldn’t see–what was going on in the throne room of God, or even in the presence of the one you for whom you prayed.

Daniel gives some insight today into why it can sometimes take so long to see God act when we pray.

Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.  But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. (Dan. 10:12-13)

Earlier, Gabriel had said, “The moment you began praying, a command was given,” (Dan. 9:23).  The answers were dispatched instantly–but the way was blocked by spiritual warfare.  Beings Daniel was completely unaware of wrestled for twenty-one days before he was made aware that anyone heard him.  I wonder if Daniel, during those twenty-one days of fasting and praying, ever wondered if anyone was listening.

We learn here, too, that the kingdom of Persia had a specific “spirit prince” assigned to it, and that the Jews also had a specific angelic warrior on their side, the archangel Michael.

It’s interesting that Daniel calls this being “the man” (Dan. 10:11).  When he met Gabriel, he said, “someone who looked like a man stood in front of me.  And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, ‘Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision,’” (Dan. 8:15-16).  From the voice, Daniel learned the name of the one who looked like a man–Gabriel.  The “man” he meets today remains unnamed, but is described in terrifying detail.  He is “dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist.  His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people,” (Dan. 10:5-6).

That sounds an awful lot like John’s description of Jesus, “And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man.  He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest.  His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.  His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves,” (Rev. 1:13-15).

Would Jesus need the angel Michael’s help in getting past the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia?  That’s a good question.  I don’t know, but the descriptions are an exact match, and Daniel doesn’t refer to this being in the same way he refers to others identified as angels.

It makes me realize that God doesn’t need our help either, and yet He wants us to participate in what He’s doing.  Maybe the same thing holds true for angels.  Think about it–why would God need messengers?  Why would God need someone else to go measure a city (Ez. 40), or kill the bad guys (remember the army that Elisha and Gehazi saw)?  He could just say the word, and they would be toast.

Odd thoughts for an odd-numbered day, yes?  Have a great day, everybody!  ;^)

Addressing all of Daniel’s visions in this format would just not be possible.  I highly recommend Beth Moore’s study, Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy.  There is a quick synopsis of the beasts on The Forerunner website at http://www.forerunner.com/daniel/X0003_Five_Visions_of_Dani.html.  For those of you who were in my Sunday School class this week, I didn’t post yesterday because I was cutting bushes.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Daniel 10-12.

Kings Should Avoid Rooftops

Even after being warned that he would be driven from human society and would live like an animal if he didn’t stop sinning and do what was right, Nebuchadnezzar took a fateful walk on the roof of his palace (kings should avoid rooftops–the Bible is pretty clear about that), congratulating himself on his own mighty power.  Bad plan.

“Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor,” boasted the king–and while the words were still in his mouth, a voice from heaven warned that he would be driven from human society and eat grass like a cow for seven “periods of time.”

In that same hour, the judgment was fulfilled.  During that time he was drenched with the dew, his hair grew long, and his nails were like bird’s claws.  He was a wild man!  After the allotted “seven periods of time,” Nebuchadnezzar reports that he looked up to heaven and his sanity was returned to him, and he praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever (Dan. 4:34).

Was this a genuine conversion?  We may never know this side of heaven, but since chapter 4 starts with his very public testimony, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nebuchadnezzar among the saints in heaven.

Isn’t it amazing the lengths to which God will go to woo one of us to Himself?  This plan was custom-made for the King of Babylon.  It began with his prideful words, and ended the moment he turned his eyes back to heaven.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Daniel 4-6.

Some Things Never Change

Beth Moore’s study on the Book of Daniel pointed out things that were completely obvious…once she pointed them out.  It’s sort of like one of those hidden pictures–sure I see it…now.  The thing I remember most about that study shows up plainly to me today as we meet Daniel and his three friends–they were chosen because they were wealthy, handsome, and smart (Daniel 1:3-4).  Some things never change.  As we share this fascinating journey with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, it’s important for us to remember that the temptations and trials faced by these four young men still face us today.  How they faced them, and triumphed in the face of certain death, will shine a beacon on our paths through the 21st century.

The first chapters set the stage, as we see several important points:

• Daniel and his friends were given favor in the eyes of the Babylonian officials, not always for the best reasons, but always within the sovereign plan of our mighty God (Dan. 1:3-4, 9, 16, 19-20; 2:47-48).
• The young Hebrews were renamed by their new culture, but it didn’t change who they were inside (Dan. 1:7).
• Daniel “determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king,” (Dan. 1:8).  Daniel didn’t set himself against the government, but rather determined to serve God to the best of his ability while in exile.  Daniel was polite and reasonable about the dietary issues, and he trusted God to give the right outcome.
• Daniel and his friends were given exceptional skills and abilities to use in service to Nebuchadnezzar, but they were always careful to give God the credit (Dan. 2:28).  While accepting credit at the moment might have given them some fame and fortune, ultimately all four young men achieved more by acknowledging the source of their wisdom.

When faced with the command to bow down and worship Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, Daniel’s three friends faced the king’s rage without flinching.  They pointed out that every dilemma has several possible outcomes, but that God is in charge no matter what.  Beth Moore puts it like this:  sometimes we’re saved from the fire, sometimes we’re saved through the fire, and sometimes we’re saved in the fire–but no matter what fiery furnace you face today, God won’t abandon you.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Daniel 1-3.

Only More Questions

Rather than answering questions, reading about Ezekiel’s temple only raises more–at least in my mind.  That this is a future temple (in other words it hasn’t been built yet) is widely accepted, but the ramifications of that fact are far-reaching.

Jesus’ last words from the cross were, “It is finished,” (John 19:30), and yet God describes in Ezekiel sacrificing animals in this yet unbuilt temple.  Further, He describes that the nation will be ruled by a prince who will also offer sacrifices and have sons (Ez. 46:17).  Obviously the sacrificial system will be re-instituted, by God, at some future date, and the nation of Israel will have a prince again.

My feeble brain has a hard time grasping that, but there it is. Why would there ever be a need to sacrifice another animal?  I don’t know, but the Word says it will happen, and that it is God’s design, so for now that is enough.  Some day I may be one of those annoying children driving God crazy with my “But why…?” questions.  I’m glad He is a patient Father.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Ezekiel 44-48.

Ezekiel’s Temple

There are days when I read a passage in God’s Word, and I sit back for a few minutes, and think, “Do what?”  Ezekiel’s vision of the temple is overwhelming.  The magnitude of its detail tells me there’s more here than meets the eye, but it either flew way over my head, or ran over me and left me flat.  These are the days when I’m so glad for the internet.

I Googled “Ezekiel’s Temple,” and found this interesting video on YouTube (click the link to go there):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=875azd4PJyg

Unless you have a really fast connection, I would start the video, then pause it and let it buffer for a while before you try to watch it.  The video shows a scale model of the future temple described by Ezekiel.

There is also a very detailed study (with great illustrations) by Paul Jablonowski:  click here Read that one cautiously, but it presents an interesting view of the man of sin in the temple of God.

My impression from today’s reading is that this matters enough to God to go into very fine detail, so, even though it doesn’t seem like it applies to my life today, there has to be truth there worth considering.

If you’re reading through the Daily Walk Bible, today’s passage is Ezekiel 40-43.