Satisfaction with my knowledge of Scripture will stunt my growth in the true knowledge of God...

"...He was heard..."

The Proverbs 31 Man...?

As a male who is a follower of Jesus Christ, I am, according to Scripture, identified not only as part of His “Church,” but, also, as His “Bride.”  Therefore, I need to read Proverbs 31, not as a text intended primarily for my wife to understand and aspire to; nor as a text for Mother’s Day sermons I might be called upon to deliver; nor as a text to provide necessary guidance for young women preparing to marry; but, rather, I must approach it as a text that I must understand and employ daily in my own relationship with my Lord.  I must aspire to the Christ-honoring character and conduct of “The Proverbs 31 Woman,” in my own God-ordained role as He graciously identifies me as His “Bride.” I must ask myself if my love for, and devotion to, Jesus Christ are consistent with these verses from Sacred Scripture.

The following are some brief thoughts on select verses from Proverbs 31:10-31.

¹⁰ An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.

Do I see myself, not as an “excellent wife,” who was “found;” but, rather, as one who, though faithless and unclean, has been graciously “sought out and found” by my “Husband;” and as one who is now in the process of being prepared…washed…cleansed…that I might “become” the “excellent wife” He desires and deserves?  As that process proceeds, am I in awe of the reality that I am “precious” in His sight?

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

Do I seek always, as His Bride, to be faithful to Him, in all things?  Can He “trust” me?  Does my life result in “gain” for Him?  Or, does He suffer loss because I bear His Name?

¹² She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Do I seek always, as His Bride; to speak and act in such a way that His Name is hallowed, honored, and not harmed?  Or, is that of little concern to me?

¹³ She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

Do I seek always, as His Bride, to find and employ the necessary resources to accomplish His will…willingly?  Or, are my efforts undertaken grudgingly and with resentment, if at all?

¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

Am I willing, as His Bride, to endure the dangers, distance and loneliness of time away from the safety and security of my harbor, to serve Him?

¹⁵ She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

Am I willing, as His Bride, daily, to rise early, leaving the comfort of my bed, to serve Him; to prepare for the care of those whom He has entrusted to me?  Or, do I prefer to “sleep-in,” as I believe I “deserve”?

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Am I willing, as His Bride, to risk personal material loss and to experience the weariness of physical labor to invest in that which will bear fruit for Him, and those whom He has entrusted to me?

¹⁷ She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

Do I, as His Bride, daily, determine to clothe myself in His strength, pursuing the type of daily regimen (both physical and spiritual) required to develop and maintain the strength and endurance necessary to labor for His glory?

¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

Do I, as His Bride, daily, recognize the value of all He has entrusted to me?  With that recognition, do I labor, even though weary, to make the most of the time I have, that He and others might realize His blessing?  Or, do I rather prefer to reward myself with the “rest” I so rightly deserve?

¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

Do I, as His Bride, remain diligently occupied; making use of even the simplest tools I have, to accomplish necessary tasks, even though they might seem to be dull, repetitive drudgery.

²⁰ She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Am I willing, as His Bride, to share with those in need out of the bountiful blessings, both material and spiritual, which I possess solely by virtue of my relationship to Him?

²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

Do I, as His Bride, live in anxious fear of future conditions?  Or, do I honor Him by resting in the knowledge of His provision for me, and those whom He has entrusted to me?

²³ Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

Do I, as His Bride, recognize the high honor and privilege I have, by His grace alone, to be chosen by Him to enjoy the intimacy of relationship with Him to Whom one day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, that He is Lord of all?

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Do I, as His Bride, speak, always, in such a manner that His life-giving wisdom and His soul-healing kindness are heard, that His Word might accomplish His Holy will?

²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Do I, as His Bride, make it my priority to see to it that the needs of those whom He has entrusted to me are constantly cared for?  Or, do I prefer the pursuit of the “personal time” I perceive that I “deserve”?

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Do I, as His Bride, desire to be known and recognized by Christ-like character and conduct; by my awe of and respect for my Lord, even though that means that I might often, be misunderstood and rejected by the world?  Or, do I seek to be known, recognized by virtue of that which appeals to, and is held in high regard by the world, that I might gain their acceptance?

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Am I, as His Bride, known…recognized…by the “fruit” of Christ-like character that reveals my relationship to Him, and results in His honor and glory?

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
(Romans 12:15)

It is not very difficult to share in...to enter into... either the joy, or even the grief, of those with whom we feel a kinship…those for whom we have an affinity…those whom we find lovely.

The Apostle Paul, however, makes no distinctions in this Spirit-inspired charge in Romans 12:15. In fact, in this context (Romans 12:14-21), Paul is describing our call to a "genuine love" that acts, yes, towards brothers and sisters in Christ, but also even towards those who would persecute us…those who are our enemies.

Therefore, the more difficult question is, can we honestly say that we are willing to…and seeking to…share in…enter into…both the joy and the grief of those with whom we feel no kinship…those for whom we have no affinity…those whom we do not find lovely…even among our brothers and sisters in Christ, let alone an outside enemy?

Sadly, too often, our “natural” (sinful) tendency is to take joy in their setbacks and sufferings and to despise, regret, effectively to weep over, their experiences of joy…

Such things ought not be so...

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
(1 Timothy 1:5)

...the deceitfulness of sin vs. true soul-satisfying pleasures...

The power behind the deceitfulness of sin is inextricably connected to the appeal of the pleasures, though temporary, that sin both promises and provides. (Hebrews 3:13 & 11:25)

The “reward” of (temporary) pleasures experienced as a result of repeatedly yielding to temptation serves only to effectively provide a "training" that makes future resistance against temptation even more difficult.

The “reward” and sure hope resulting from a regular practice of fixing my eyes on Jesus is fullness of joy and the Divine promise of true soul-satisfying pleasures, both now, and forever more. (Hebrews 12:2 & Psalm 16:11)

...pain resulting from love, rather than pain resulting from hate...

Pain and suffering…grief and loss…are unavoidable realities in this sin-cursed world.

Still, Father, grant that my experiences of those realities might come as a result of my efforts to express Spirit-produced…Spirit-empowered actions and attitudes of Christ-like love, and not as a result of my own fleshly actions and attitudes of selfishness and hate.

...of all believers most to be pitied…

If my hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is limited to what I can look forward to after death, then, I am of all believers most to be pitied…

It is essential that those who believe in Jesus Christ...those who have been born again to a living hope through His resurrection from the dead, at such a great cost...both understand, and live in light of the truth that His resurrection has critical implications for each and every believer, now, even as we remain alive...in our day-to-day walk.

...true deliverance from the power and dominion of sin...
...true access into the very presence of God...
...true courage and confidence to endure...
...true rest...

...and so much more...!

...strength for today...hope for tomorrow...

If we would take some time to reflect on Our Lord’s past demonstrations of His power, His presence and His faithfulness as He has sustained us in and through times of particularly difficult trials and testings, Scripture instructs us to do so with the understanding that such demonstrations were, at the same time, sovereignly designed by Him to prepare us for, and sustain us through, future times of trail and testing as well.

As we consider this truth, it should move us to  face and receive today’s trials and testings with an anticipation, and a sure hope, that they come to us as preparation for His future demonstrations of His power, His presence and His faithfulness.

This blessed reality is summed up well in the words of Thomas Chisholm in the hymn he penned...Great is Thy Faithfulness , "...strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow..."

...the perfect altar of uncut stones...

And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut stones.
(Deuteronomy 27:5-6 ESV)

...you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.
(Exodus 20:25 ESV)

…the altar…the God-ordained place of sacrifice…

…Jesus' cross…the final altar…

...His body, His blood, His life, violently and voluntarily given…the final, and only efficacious sacrifice…once…for all...


…I cannot improve on Jesus as my means of, and place of, approach to God…not only can I not improve on Jesus, but, when I attempt to alter or modify or re-form any aspect of the perfect provision God has provided in Him, I can only profane it.

What presumptuously sinful foolishness to ever even consider taking hammer and chisel to the perfect Rock of my salvation...

...thinking about first thoughts...

What were my first thoughts as I awoke this morning?

Dread, for the day ahead? Or, delight, in the One Who goes before me?

Fear, of the unknown? Or, faith, in the Faithful One Who knows all things, and is sovereign over all things?

Potential problems that kept me from sleeping most of the night? Or, the promises of the One Who kept me while I slept, and praise for the possibility of knowing and sharing the blessings awaiting as He unfolds His perfect plan?

Jesus said, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)

...fix your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...
(Hebrews 12:2a)

...thoughts on Jesus' obedience...

Although He (Jesus) was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.
(Hebrews 5:8)

Jesus' choice to act in obedience as the Suffering Servant was His choice to be looked upon and treated by the Father as though He was thoroughly disobedient.

Jesus' choice to act in submission to the will of the Father was His choice to be looked upon and treated by the Father as though He was thoroughly rebellious.

For our sake He (God, the Father) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.
(2 Corinthians 5:21)

"...the LORD was angry with me because of you..."

“…the LORD was angry with me because of you…”

The name of the individual being quoted in the verse above might seem obvious considering the fact that we are in the midst of “Holy Week,” the week between “Palm Sunday” (celebrating Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem) and “Easter,” or “Resurrection Day.”  After all, this week we especially focus our thoughts, our worship, on the wonder of God’s gracious provision of a final subsitutionary atonement.  That is, specifically, on Jesus’ suffering  (on our behalf, in our place, and for our sin), of God’s Holy wrath, His righteous anger against sin.  We focus on Jesus’ death, burial, and triumphal resurrection, demonstrating His final and complete victory over sin and death…our blessed and only hope.

However, without looking it up in a concordance, can you cite the specific book of Scripture where the quote is found?

HINT:  The quote above is repeated twice in that one book of Scripture, and a very similar quote (shown below) is also included in that same book.

“Even with me the LORD was angry on your account…”

Now, just to confirm…look these verses up in a concordance, and see how you did with your answers.

How did you do?

If you did look it up, you have now seen, (…perhaps, as you recognized from the beginning…), the individual being quoted in these verses is not Jesus, but Moses.  The quotes are not from any New Testament Scripture, but from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy (Deut. 3:26, 4:21 and 1:37, respectively).

So, why did I even propose this exercise?  Was it nothing more than an attempt at a “gotcha” moment or a “trick” question?

Not at all!

In fact, looking into the background of these verses provides us with important insights into both our reading of Old Testament Scripture and our understanding of the way in which God has been progressively revealing His plans and purposes for His perfect provision of the ultimate deliverer…the Messiah…for His people.

As Jesus said to his disciples after His resurrection, “…everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled”  (Luke 24:44b); and, just prior to that to the two forlorn and confused individuals on the road to Emmaus, “…beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning him” (Luke 24:27).

My own recognition of the divinely ordained connection between Moses’ statements quoted in Deuteronomy, and Jesus’ finished work as Messiah, came as I was reading through Deuteronomy as part of my “chronological, through the Bible” reading a couple of weeks ago.  I must admit, however, that I did not make the connection immediately.

In fact, reading these verses from Deuteronomy in their context, and reading chronologically, I had recently read the account in Numbers 20 of Moses’ failure to “…believe (God), to uphold (Him) as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel,” which resulted in God’s anger against Moses and His divine judgment that Moses would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land.  After 40 long years of being used by God to first deliver His people from bondage, and then to lead them, dealing repeatedly with their rebelliousness and refusal to believe God, Moses himself would die in the wilderness, never entering the place of God’s promised presence, provision and protection…of His rest.

With this image of Moses’ failure fresh in my mind, I must admit that I was initially struck as I read Moses’ words in Deut. 1:37 as he told the people that the LORD was angry with him “…on (their) account.”  Then, as I continued, I read 3:26 where Moses again tells the people “…the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me.”  Again, as I reached 4:21, it seemed to get even more difficult to understand as Moses says, “…the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving to you for an inheritance.”

I know I have read this portion of Scripture before, but this time it really struck me.  I found myself wanting to say, Now, wait a minute Moses!  How can you possibly blame these people for the judgment God pronounced on you for your own disobedience…your own act of “unbelief?”  Certainly, I can understand your frustration…even your anger…after all you have gone through with these people, but, really!  I don’t like the contemporary expression, but, I felt like saying aloud “Man-up Moses!”  At least take responsibility for your own actions!  It sounds like you’re taking advantage of God’s call to you to record this history of His people…crafting your own “revisionist history” of what actually happened to make yourself look like the victim here.

Then, looking up a cross-reference that cited Psalm 106:32-33, I read:

“They (the people of Israel in the wilderness) angered him (God) at the waters of Meribah,

and it went ill with Moses on their account,

for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.”

Here, then, was a much later Holy Spirit inspired (as were Moses’ words in Deuteronomy…I reminded myself) account, not written by Moses, which makes the same point that Moses made.  This helped me to begin to view Moses’ statements in a broader context.  Yes, Moses bore God’s anger, rightfully, though, in some measure, humanly, even understandably, as he fulfilled his role as God’s chosen deliverer and mediator for His people.

Then, I recalled Moses’ statements in Deuteronomy 18 regarding a coming future prophet, like Moses, whom the LORD would one day raise up for His people, and I recalled the Apostle Paul’s statements in 1 Corinthians 10 where he informs his readers (and us) that:

“…they (the Israelites in the wilderness) drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 10:4)

and that…

“…these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”

(1 Corinthians 10:6)

…and that…

“…these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction…”

(1 Corinthians 10:11)

I was also reminded of the divinely inspired “comparison” in Hebrews Chapter 3 between Moses and Jesus, that future prophet Moses had spoken of Who would be the ultimate deliverer and mediator for God’s people…the One Who is faithful over God’s house as a Son…the One Who is better than Moses.

Now, as I reflected back on those initially “troubling” statements by Moses, I heard them coming from a different voice…from the voice of the Greater Moses…the True Deliverer…the perfect Mediator…who could, indeed, say to all His people “…the LORD was angry with me because of you…on your account.”  He was the One Who did not simply miss out on entering the earthly “Promised Land,” but, rather, He, was the One Who had always known perfect fellowship with the Father, and voluntarily left that place of perfect rest to bear not only the indignity and humiliation of dealing with the rebellion of His Own creatures, but also God’s Holy wrath, His righteous anger against sin, my sin, though He, Himself, had never sinned…so that God’s people might enter into His Perfect Rest…redeemed and reconciled…once and for all.

For our sake he made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin,

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(2 Corinthians 5:21)

As I focus my thoughts and worship during this Holy week, I do so mindful that the LORD was angry with Jesus, because of me...but also mindful that, because Jesus was willing and able to bear the wrath I deserved, I can now know the fullness of His perfect rest, reconciled to a right relationship with God, because of Jesus, and because of Him, alone.

Jesus...the Great High Priest of a New and Better Covenant...

The Levitical  (Aaronic) High Priest...

Under the Old (Mosaic) Covenant, established by God Himself, the people watched with anxious anticipation as their High Priest, adorned in his elaborated priestly garb, entered the Holy of Holies, bearing the blood of the sacrifice (offered first for his own sins, and then also for the sins of the people) surrounded by an arrangement of carefully crafted curtains that separated him from the people he represented, as they did, at the same time, separate the people from the place of the presence of God.

The people waited in fear for his return, his re-appearance, so that they could know that their Priest remained alive...the sacrifice offered on their behalf had indeed been accepted…their sins were indeed atoned for…for that year…as the curtains of separation remained...


Jesus as Great High Priest...

Jesus, as the Great High Priest of the New and Better Covenant, promised by God Himself, entered the true Holy of Holies in Heaven, by His own blood, having offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of His people, while angels bore witness, but, the people He represented knew nothing of His actions.

Rather, those who first saw Him and heard Him...those who first hoped that He might be the one who would deliver them as God’s people, only bore witness to His lifeless body being carried, wrapped in grave clothes, into a cold, dark tomb that was sealed with a great stone…separating Him from His people.

And yet, after three days, He arose from that tomb…resurrected…confirming that His finished work as the Holy and Righteous Son of God of putting away the sins of His people forever…had indeed been accepted by His Father...and, the veil of the temple on earth was torn in two, from the top to the bottom...

Now, His people enjoy access, by faith...being invited...even commanded...to come boldly before His Throne, that they might receive mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  And, His people now wait, not in anxious fear, but with a sure hope...a confident expectation and anticipation, for His promised and sure return in glory and power to reign over His Kingdom…for eternity...

Confessing my Pride doesn't make me Humble...

When (...not if...) I am confronted with pride in my life...when I recognize it, confess it, and even repent of it, turning from it, I dare not confuse that with true humility. All of that is merely a necessary step in the right direction.  I will never attain to true humility while my eyes are fixed on me.

Rather, true humility begins when I see God for Who He is...when I am confronted with, and recognize Him for Who He is, and then, as a result of having seen Him, I become honestly aware of...reminded of, who I am in light of Who He is...

Therefore, walking in true humility requires that I walk with my eyes continually fixed on Jesus...

Promise, or Process? (update addressing a comment and question posted on Facebook)

ORIGINAL POST
  
“I can do all thing through Him who strengthens me.”

This familiar statement by the Apostle Paul, recorded in Philippians 4:13, is preceded by his statement that “I have LEARNED to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have LEARNED the SECRET of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and of suffering need.”

Paul both establishes the context of the “…ALL THINGS…” he is referring to, and tells us that this ability to “…do all things through Christ…” comes as the RESULT of a PROCESS. The PROCESS is one of LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE to be hungry, as well as to be filled…of having abundance, as well as of suffering need. Paul even refers to it as LEARNING a SECRET…it has the idea of learning a mystery…of an initiation. And, that initiation involves experiencing getting by with “…humble means,” as well as living “…in prosperity…”

So commonly claimed as God's "PROMISE," Paul more properly presents it as a truth he learned...came to realize as a result of his having experienced the Lord's faithfulness through the varied extremes of the PROCESS of His ordained and unfolding plan.


COMMENT AND QUESTION POSTED ON FACEBOOK

 

I agree with this context, but it begs the question, if we can't take this verse to mean that Christ strengthens us to do "ALL" things, then how many things can we apply it to? Only the afore mentioned things in the context? And then we are to do all the "rest" of life's things not mentioned in our own strength because we can't claim it as a promise that Christ will strengthen us to do the tasks that we need to? This week my son asked a non believer; an adult - a doctor - if he could pray for him because this doctor said he was not feeling well. In a room full of unbelievers and office staff, who feel silent, he laid his hand on his arm and prayed in the name of Jesus for this man. I know that was in Christ's strength that he had the courage to do that. I know for me, I MUST claim this as a promise that I can DO everything I need to do each day in Christ, because I KNOW I don't have the strength and ability to do it on my own. I don't want to just "get along" and "endure" - I want to soar on the things I can do in Christ and bring Him glory!

MY RESPONSE POSTED ON FACEBOOK

Thanks…an excellent question.

First, I did see your post about your son praying for that doctor.  As I read it, I smiled…my soul delighted by his loving boldness…a testimony to his relationship with Our Lord, and also to your parental instruction and example.

To your question…  The reality is that when it comes to our walk as believers, Jesus Himself tells us that apart from Him, we can do NOTHING.  As Paul says in Colossians, we are dead, and our very life is hid with Christ in God…He, Who is at work in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians).  So, with reference to our walk as believers, EVERYTHING we do according to His will and for His glory, we do in His strength.  You are completely correct…none of us has…in ourselves…the strength to live the “Christian life.”  We MUST depend on Him.

The caution with regard to Philippians 4:13 is that it is often, I believe, carelessly taken as a blanket PROMISE that ANY believer can do ANYTHING through Christ, without consideration for the context of Paul’s statements.  In fact, Paul does not appear to be making the statement as a PROMISE for the Philippians to take, but as a testimony of a truth he’s had to learn through observation and experience.

Paul’s statement must first be understood in the context of Philippians 4:10-20, considering his purpose, albeit under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to, on the one hand, thank those who had demonstrated their loving concern for him through their gifts to meet his needs, but on the other hand, to testify to them lessons he learned of the Lord’s faithfulness, in whatever circumstances he found himself.  The Lord was, at one and the same time, working in the Philippians to develop the fruit of Christ-like love; and working in Paul to teach him His sufficiency in all things.  In context, Paul is speaking of the Lord’s faithful provision in ALL THINGS that He calls Paul to experience, as opposed to ANYTHING that Paul might himself choose to undertake…even something involving his ministry for Christ.

In Acts 16, we have just such an example:

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night:  a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

(Acts 16:6-10 ESV)

The “ANYTHING” that Paul would have chosen, was a “good thing,” as far as he understood…spreading the Gospel in Asia…but, far from providing for him in that desire, the Holy Spirit was forbidding them to speak…the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go and speak.

Again, it’s absolutely true that we MUST depend on Christ, and His strength, for ALL we do for Him.  And, there is certainly ample Scriptural warrant (as cited above) for depending on the fact that He will indeed provide that strength.  However, that doesn’t mean that this specific statement by Paul can properly be taken (out of its context) to support a perceived PROMISE that ANY believer can do ANYTHING (without exception) with the confidence that Christ will provide the strength to accomplish it.  Unfortunately, that’s the way it is sometimes taken.

He is faithful, and He will provide for every need of His children…and, that’s a PROMISE we can, and must count on.

Thanks…

By His Grace, and for His Glory…

Three Reasons Christians Need to Read and Meditate on Old Testament Scriptures

Reason #1:  We find a necessary revelation of Our Lord, Jesus Christ:
(Jesus…speaking to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, following His resurrection…)

“…beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27 ESV)

“…Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…” (Luke 24:44-45 ESV)

(Jesus…speaking to those who were questioning His healing on the Sabbath...)

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…” (John 5:39 ESV)

Reason #2:  We find necessary encouragement:
(The Apostle Paul…writing to the Church at Rome…demonstrating the importance of knowing and following the example of Jesus Christ, that they might have both endurance and encouragement in their efforts to properly relate to one another…)

“…whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 ESV)

Reason #3:  We find necessary warnings:
(The Apostle Paul…warning the Church at Corinth against idolatry by recalling the Scriptural account of Moses, as he led God’s people through the wilderness…towards the promised land…)

“…these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. (1 Corinthians 10:6 ESV)

“…these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV)

Can there be any doubt?

…with His stripes, I am healed…stripes I alone deserved for sins past, present and future...

Can there be any doubt but that the lashes that caused Him the greatest pain are not those borne for sins I committed while walking in darkness, but rather, for those I commit today, while, supposedly, walking in the light?

…a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…

Can there be any doubt but that He is most grieved not by the past rebellion of a heart of stone, but by the present resistance to His Spirit’s promptings towards holiness seeking to stir a heart of flesh, purchased at such a great cost?

…His mercies are new, every morning…

Can there be any doubt?

How dreadful our shame…How awesome Your Love…

The only One Who ever knew the full depth and beauty of the joyous satisfaction…even satiation…experienced in perfect communion with You, Father, and Your Blessed Holy Spirit, shuttered…wept…even sweat, as it were, great drops of blood in the Garden as He faced…in prolonged and measured, horrifying contemplation, the loss of that blessed relationship…all He had ever known from before time began…solely for the sake of those He came to save.  Repeatedly He pleaded…imploring from the depths of His Holy Soul, that if there were any other way…this dreadful cup might pass from Him…yet, still, entrusting Himself to You, and Your Perfect and Holy Will in loving obedience.

How dreadfully shameful that we…who have so gained, and that, only by virtue of His great loss…should ever fail to employ in its fullness…worse, that we should dare to carelessly ignore…that precious and indescribable gift of blessed communion…even union with the Divine Trinity…purchased at such a great cost…the very life of Your only Son…Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

How awesome Your Love, that continues to patiently invite us into that place of blessed communion, continues to call us to come boldly before Your Throne, that we might receive Your mercy, and Your find Your matchless grace, in time of need, through our Great High Priest…till that promised day when we shall, at last, be blessed to know You, in all Your Glory, as we see our Savior, face to face, and begin to enjoy, with Him, and in Him, that beauty…that joyous satisfaction…that satiation…of perfect relationship with You, for all eternity.

Distraction? Or, Divine Direction?

I have been struck by the obvious irony that the degree to which I allow, and tolerate in myself anger, and/or resentment against those distractions, encounters or areas of life whose demands seem to keep me from those things I consider to be "truly important," I am actually assigning to them ultimate importance and, effectively, control over me.

The result...increased anger and resentment…and, decreased time for, energy for, and focus on those "truly important" things I'm so concerned about.

The answer…first, to turn my focus from those "distractions," to the Lord, Himself.

Only in His presence…only with my eyes fixed on the One Who alone is Sovereign over every "encounter"…on the One Who alone knows what is "truly important," and what is a "distraction"…on the One Who alone is not only working "all things" together for (my good, and) His glory…but is also working all things together for my sanctification…for my transformation…for my conformance to the image of His Son.

Only then will I be able to view those "distractions" through clear and enlightened eyes…only then will I be able to discern the degree of  "importance" they truly deserve…only then, with eyes to see and ears to hear, will I be equipped to focus my attention and energy as He, my Lord, would have me to.

It might be that He will free me, and even empower me, to properly turn from those "distractions," without the sinful anger and resentment I once wrestled with, having come to the place where the drone of those distracting demands is silenced by the still small voice of His Spirit.

Sadly, however, my idea of what is "truly important," might well be "truly mistaken"

It might well be that those very "distractions" are indeed the "truly important encounters" He has ordained for me…it may well be that it is precisely there that He, in His Sovereignty, has chosen to reveal Himself to me, in me, and through me, for His Glory, and for mutual blessing...

Blessedness, being born out of brokeness...

There is a unique blessedness of soul that is experienced in the midst of those trials that make us recognize our complete and total dependence upon the Lord. Blessedness, being born out of brokenness.