Reflections on Judges

Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet Praise Him, my Saviour and my God. (Psalm 42:11)

This verse was sent to me by a friend this morning (out of the blue), obviously sovereignly directed by God. Through a series of difficult events that happened in the past week, I have been feeling quite down and discouraged. I am so grateful to God for speaking to me through this verse...and yes, I will hope in Him!

This morning as I read Jeremiah 26-27, I was left astounded, dumfounded and rebuked by God. You see, Jeremiah was instructed to prophesy to the Israelites, to warn them of pending judgement because of their sins. However, the amazing thing is, as part of their repentance and obedience, the Isarelites were instructed to subject themselves to the King of Babylon!

"..I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. I will make even the wild animals subject to Him. All nations will serve im and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and many kings will subjugate him" (27: 6-7) However, if Israel would not submit to the authority and dominion of Babylon, God would punish them with .."sword, famine and plague"...until they are destroyed by His hand.

The God who loved Israel with an everlasting love and who chose them as His people, now demands and commands that they live under the tyranny of Babylon; as part of his punishment and deliverance.

My mind boggles and yes, I feel rebuked, because many times I presume that God would act in a certain way. But, He is above our ways and thoughts and does not act in ways that we predict or assume. Sometimes his best for us require humble submission to circumstances that seem contrary to His infinite love...after all, being a just and righteous God, it is right that He punishes and rebukes us when we sin.

I guess, I'm beginning to understand bit by bit, the awesome, mystifying, ways of God. That His purposes for us most definitely require suffering, pain, rejection, humility, loneliness, heartahces.....things and circumstances that we would not wish for ourselves or others; but are deemed good for the sake of being refined, shaped and transformed for His glory.

Surely, one would think that being subject to a wicked nation is the furthest thing a loving Father would want for His children, but all things work for the good of those who love God, yes...even incomprehensible things that seem to speak contrary of His love and commitment to us.

We need to trust God more and not depend on our own understanding, and acknowlege our utter dependance on Him in all humility and obedience...and He will make our paths straight!

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4

Apostles of Christ

It was a timely reminder tonite, during our family devotions on 1 Corinthians, that we not to judge, nor be judged. It is the Lord who judges us, therefore we are not to judge anything before the appointed time of Jesus' return. It is Jesus who will bring to light, everything that is hidden in our hearts, our movtives, our attitudes...everything will be exposed and the darkness will be brought to light.

I am guilty of judging, mostly thinking that I am going ok, whilst sometimes thinking and questioning why a person may act or speak a certain way. Sometimes I may even evaluate someone by their "works" or by their "faith". Truth is, no one is righteous, not one person. It is only by the gracious work of Christ's redemption that we stand before God. For truly, we only deserve death and condemnation, not sonship and an eternal inheritance and to be included in His plan of partnership in Kingdom work.

Please forgive me Lord, for my pride. For not considering others as better than myself. Funny how this was yesterday's sermon as well. I guess God knows I need more than one reminder. Truth is, I am, we are; nothing without God. "For what makes us different from anyone else?" We are all in the same boat. "What do we hve that we hve not received" from God? Then, why do we boast and act like we did not?? Everything comes from the hand of God. It is He who makes all things possible. Not because we are clever, or hardworking, or ingenious, or strategically apt...

The way of the cross is difficult...what makes us think that difficulties and hardship, opposition from the world, even our friends and family, will always approve of our faith, trust and hope in Christ. The way of discipleship, is one of condemnation to die; being made a spectacle; being fools for Christ; being weak; being dishonoured; being hungry and thirsty; being in rags, being brutally treated; being homeless; being ursed; persecuted; slandered; and becoming the scum and refuse of the world.

Lord teach me your way!

Pride (Article for October issue of "Cornered"

I often fear the wrong impressions people may have of me, as I write these articles. You see, I am no spiritual giant, in fact, the reverse is true. I am acutely aware of the many “renovation projects” in my life that require so much more submission and surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Yes, I confess, I do have many imperfections and flaws.

One area of that is pride. Pride can be so subtle, even guised in false humility. I read recently, an article in the Leadership Magazine, a quote by Francois Fenelon, that “The truly humble is perfectly obedient, because he has renounced his own will. He lets himself be led to where he is wanted, in one way or another. He yields to everything and resists nothing, because he would not be humble if he had a choice and a will or an argument over what was ordered for him….Let us abandon ourselves then with courage. If God makes nothing of us, He will give us justice, because we are good for nothing, and if He makes great things, the glory will be His”.

In our society and culture, worldly successes are applauded and accolades lavished on those who reach achievements worthy of recognition. Unfortunately, the church is not exempt from this. Our esteem and pride act like barometers, rising and falling according to the successes we achieve, even in ministry.

Are we guilty of feeling slightly smug, arrogant, egotistical or conceited because we think that we are “doing so much better” than our neighbour? We might gloat with self satisfaction, as we contemplate where we are at, in relation to others. Are we subconsciously in “competition mode” with our brothers in the Lord? CS Lewis wrote in his book, “Mere Christianity”, that “Diabolical Pride comes when you look down on others”. “Pride”, he says, “gets no joy out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man…It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest”.

Jonathan Edwards, the eighteenth century New England puritan once said, “Pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the great disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with Christ; it was the first sin that ever was”.

“If pride could tempt Lucifer, we can be sure it will come to us in all its finery. The world’s gurus of self esteem and self-assertiveness, its coaches on successes and being number one, its preachers of self-promotion and image, all scorn the Christian’s fear of pride and exaltation of humility” [1]

Isn’t that so true and yet so frightening? Why do we think we deserve to be “recognized” for anything we do, or attempt to do, when we are “microscopically miniscule” compared to the vastness of God? What makes us think that we have any rights or choices, or that we might even share in small, fleeting, intentional or unintentional moments of glory with God?

Jesus was the kind of person whose whole life was lived in the presence of God. All his speaking and acting were with God in mind. He was the perfect example of true abandonment of self and rights. He became obedient to death, even death on the cross. “He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself NOTHING, taking the very nature of a SERVANT” (Philippians 2:6-7)

For God chose “the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29)

Vaughan Roberts, in his book, “Battles Christians Face” mentioned three challenges that Jesus issued to his disciples concerning pride. These include: Not letting pride distort our view of ourselves; not letting pride distort our treatment of others and not letting pride distort our opinion of others.

It is so true that clouded by the sin of pride, we tend to magnify the sins of others and question their intentions; whilst minimizing, excusing and ignoring our own sinful follies.

I pray that we would examine our hearts, before God and come in contrition and repentance before His throne of grace, acknowledging our sin. I know that personally, I need to.

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35)

[1] Miles Finch “Surprised by Pride” page 46 (Leadership)

Obedience Versus Religion?

Obedience Versus Religion??

In our success driven culture; pride, selfishness, the desire for recognition and power, and the deception of self-righteousness, “pollute” and darken the hearts and minds of many. Unfortunately, this has also “infiltrated” Christian circles. Alas, when God’s people are driven and motivated by anything short of humble submission and obedience to God and a desire for God’s glory; we have missed the “mark” by a long mile

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Isn’t it daunting to know that we can look “ceremonially” right and good; use the correct spiritual jargon and language; act in righteously “acceptable” ways; partake religiously and zealously in Christian activities; adopt the Christian “label”; busy ourselves in Christian ministries and yet be detestable and despicable to God??!!

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts, my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:13-15)

Some of us may think that we can deceive God, and others; by our outward forms of “holiness”. We think that our outward piety might impress others, but God cannot, and will not, be mocked. Our lips may offer praises to God, but if we indulge in sin and ungodliness; and our lives are not subject to, or “aligned” to utmost conformity and obedience to His will; we are imposters and hypocrites.

“These people come near to me with their mouths and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29: 13)

Saul was anointed king, at the age of thirty. He was outwardly impressive, by any man’s standards. He stood a head taller than the rest, and no one came close in comparison. He had the image and the “prestige” to draw followers. But tragically, Saul was plagued by pride, ambition, jealousy and disobedience.

In the midst of war, Saul took matters into his own hands, disobeyed God’s word, and depended on his own “wisdom”. What might have seemed like clever and “logical strategies”, were an abomination to the Lord. As a result, God rejected him as King.

“You acted foolishly…You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time, but now your kingdom will not endure..” (1 Sam 13:13-14a)

“Obedience is a measure of the extent of Christ’s lordship over you” (“Measure Your Life” by Wesley Duewel pg 105)

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

“But humble, sincere, and conscientious obedience to the will of God, is more pleasing and acceptable to him than all burnt-offering and sacrifices. God is more glorified and self more denied, by obedience than by sacrifice. It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burned upon the altar, than to bring every high thought into obedience to God, and to make our will subject to his will. Those are unfit and unworthy to rule over men, who are not willing that God should rule over them” (The Pleasure of God in Obedience by John Piper March 29th 1987)

May we fall at the feet of Jesus, in brokenness, contrition, repentance and humility; for we are all guilty of disobedience! I pray that our lives will continue to be consecrated in humble submission to God, as we surrender all our personal agendas, selfish and ungodly motives, and bend our wills to His, in perfect alignment.
“To obey is better than sacrifice”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.--Psalm 111:10