The Little People

“There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Number 13:33

And thus ten of the twelve spies sent out to investigate the Promised Land, instead brought fear and defeat to the Israelites. What makes you feel small in your own sight? For me it is a trail of failures from financial to moral going back to childhood. When I look at the past, my future looks like a colossal monster, which I face with extreme trepidation. A little voice inside whispers, “You’ll only fail again and bring further consequences too difficult to bear. Just stay where you are and do what you can to minimize any further damage.”

Maybe your giant is self-doubt or, like the Israelites, you worry about how others perceive you. (“…and so we were in their sight.”)

For a moment, let us be real, shall we? You are right about your doubts and so am I. I have failed miserably in my life again and again. The future is a big, nasty giant with sharp teeth and a long, long reach. Others may even think little of us or our abilities. Our task is most likely impossible. We live in a crumbling culture that vilifies Christ and deifies corruption at the highest levels. We have mortgaged our future to present pleasures, and have become a nation of idolaters.

Yes, the ten spies were indeed small in their own eyes and in the eyes of their enemies. But Joshua and Caleb knew something that the others had forgotten. They understood that God was greater than their enemy. Numbers 14:9 “Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”

So also, God is greater than the giants that haunt us. He is greater than our obstacles and will ultimately defeat even the consequences of our failures. Sometimes this will take longer than you wish. I love the following quote from an unknown author inscribed on the memorial to the Seabees, between Memorial Bridge and Arlington Cemetery:
“The difficult we do at once; the impossible takes a bit longer.”

And so, like Caleb and Joshua did forty years later, we enter the Promised Land. And while we wait we learn to feed on His faithfulness, which really is the whole point.

Why Not Me?

“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel” 2 Timothy 2:8

Three times in the New Testament Paul the Apostle laid claim to what he referred to as “my gospel.” Really Paul? Are you the author of salvation? Did you die for our sins? Did you rise from the dead? What gives you the right to make such a presumptuous claim and call it your gospel? Perhaps it is because you poured out your life as a drink offering (2Ti 4:6) or that you filled up in your flesh what was lacking in the afflictions of Christ (Col 1:24). Or perhaps we are pondering the wrong question.

Maybe the question should not be “how dare Paul?” but “why not me?” Am I so in love with God’s purpose, so sold out to His plans, so zealous for the salvation of the lost or jealous for the fidelity of the found that I dare call the gospel mine? Is it “my gospel” or does it belong only to others? Just how identified with Christ are you? Can you say by now that you are the body of Christ? Is Christ your life? Are you the heir who inherits all things? Can you say, like Paul, for you to live is Christ?

Here is the conclusion: if indeed you belong to Christ then the gospel belongs to you and no other. Lord, wed us to the notion that in You we move and breathe and have our being. Remind us again that we were purchased for a price that that our lives are not our own. If you will have such pity upon us then we can cry out with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ!” If you will so incline our wretched hearts then and only then will we have nothing to be ashamed about at your terrible and yet glorious coming.

Will That be One Marshmallow or Two?

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. Psalm 22:1,2

Sometimes God’s silence is unbearable. Like the forlorn cry of a child in a dark room I cry out to God, but He does not seem to be listening. I do not see, hear or in any way sense God’s help or presence. But the devil hears me. He offers me comfort—instant gratification for my anxious mind. Here you go, turn this on, eat this, call her, reach out to him, drink this potion, take this pill, watch this movie, watch another and why not another?

A famous longitudinal study by psychologist Walter Mischel was performed on four year olds who were told that if they waited fifteen minutes they would receive two marshmallows, but if they could not wait they could ring a bell and instantly receive one marshmallow. The children who waited for two marshmallows significantly outperformed the one marshmallow children later in life. This study is described in more detail at the following site: www.newyorker.com

Many of us one-marshmallow people fall into harmful habits because of an inability to wait. We know that “those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength…mount up on wings like eagles…walk and not grow weary,” so the question is, can us one-marshmallow underachievers transform into two-marshmallow success stories? Not without help.

Fortunately for us, God is patient, relentlessly so. Over and over and over again He leaves us alone in a room with the gadgets and goo that this world has to offer. He promises gifts to the ones who can wait: strength of heart (Psalm 27:14), material blessings and triumph (Psalm 37:34), salvation from the wicked (Proverbs 20:22), mercy and redemption (Psalm 130:5-8). As a matter of fact

…since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor
perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides
You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.
Isaiah 64:4

The blessings for learning to wait on the Lord to meet our needs are beyond our ability to see or hear. These blessings are ethereal, winsome, sublime, beyond what we can imagine.

Now put down that marshmallow and wait a little longer. Put it down, now. Throw it into the garbage can. No, you’ll just go out there and fish it out later. Stomp on it until it sticks to the bottom of your shoe. Now, scrape it off your shoe and into your back yard. Skunks are nocturnal—they’ll have a fine snack later tonight.

Knock, knock…

Revelations 3:20,21 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

A smiling ceramic frog sat on the porch with a “WELCOME” sign perched above him. The happy salesman lifted his hand to knock on the door when he saw another message below the doorbell, scrawled in angry red letters, “Do NOT Disturb!” The salesman left the house shaking his head in confusion at the conflicting message.

Do we put out a welcome sign in front of our lives only to annul the invitation by selfish preoccupation? And what good is hospitality if we loathe being inconvenienced or even emotionally challenged by our acquaintances? Most of us fail to let others into our lives for fear of intimacy, annoyance or missing our favorite program.

Here is the problem. When we post a sentry at the door of our hearts who forbids all noxious input, we also prevent the blessings of healthy, edifying relationship. If you say, “fine, that’s the way I like it,” then you are no friend of Christ, who Himself knocks at the door of our hearts and bids us to open up and allow access to Him and to any He brings to our doorstep.

Spirit, though I sigh and groan
Grant a heart of flesh, not stone
Confer a life of foes and friends
Don’t let me live and die alone.

Department of Defense

“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools” Ecclesiastes 7:5

My kindergarten teacher used to love my poems. When I graduated to 1st grade and I decided to wow my new teacher with a funny poem. She returned the poem the next day with big red marks all over it. To her it was not funny, just silly. I was devastated. I did not write another poem for over 10 years.

In college I took a creative writing class and we read our creations to the whole class and everybody spoke up about what we liked or did not like and I hated it. It felt like somebody was punching me in the gut, I took it so personally.

Decades later I went to a literary critique group who slashed and diced every word and I found myself actually learning something. Because of that group my writing has improved greatly.

We need to get over ourselves. Sometimes it’s like we want a choir of fools to follow us around singing, “for he’s a jolly good fellow”. But it is better to hear the rebuke of a wise friend than a hundred people flattering and congratulating you. Heard all this before? Great? But how are you doing in the defensive department?

I Reckon

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5,6

Will our fear of abandonment negate this promise of God to be with us always? Yes, it will, at least on an emotional level. My feelings have often made light of God’s promise to never leave me; therefore I lived in fear, knowing in my heart that I certainly did not deserve such devotion on God’s part. I took my trials and chastening as proof of God’s departure.

Living in fear paralyzes those so inflicted. It is a miserable way to live. But how does one internalize this truth, that God will never abandon His children? Obviously, we must first be certain of our status as children of God. Without going into that process, let’s assume that we are now speaking only of those who have this promise, yet cannot seem to live in it.

Like most of God’s promises, the way to live a promise is to reckon it so. Reckoning is to be convinced in such a way that you are willing to skewer doubts as lies from hell, to interpret trials as training, to consider spiritual dryness as a temporary necessity, and to accept any brand of persecution as proof of God’s glory in you.

We often speak of love languages. Her love language is “quality time”; his love language is “having fun together”. What is God’s love language? How does one truly love God? So simple, but so profound and so liberating! Believe Him! Be secure in His devotion and love for you! Your sense of unworthiness should merely highlight the greatness of God’s condescension and love! You don’t deserve it? Does this not make His great love all the more astonishing and worthy of acceptance?

You were saved by grace through faith. Now be secure in His love by grace through that same faith.

Another Contender for a Guinness World Record

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, “I know that you can do everything…” Job 42:1,2

Nobody ever received a chewing out like Job. Job complained bitterly about his painful circumstances to his less than helpful friends, who accused Job of pride, vanity, hypocrisy, deceit and bribery, among other things. They also made it clear that only a wicked man, full of iniquity, would experience the sufferings of Job. Now, add to that God’s tongue lashing and we have the makings of a Guinness world record for the most berated man in history.

Job, where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Hmm? Job, do you understand the ordinances of heaven? Can you create lightening? Did you create the wings of the peacock? Did you give horses their strength? God asked Job over 60 questions demonstrating His power, His presence and His knowledge.

The application I usually took away from this was God does not have to explain Himself. He knows what He is doing. He is God and I am not and neither are you.

But then it occurred to me last night as I read God’s words to Job: (Let me paraphrase here) ‘Job, I command the constellations and control the beasts of the earth from the greatest to the dumbest (Ostrich comes to mind). I am intimately acquainted with everything that happens in nature and in the affairs of men. (Now, for poetic license) Yes, you have encountered trouble in your life of late and yes, much of what you complained about was valid—except for the part where you doubted My justice—but remember who I am and what I am capable of. If I am all powerful, all present and all knowing, surely I am capable of restoring your soul, no matter how wounded or tormented.

When God trumpets His attributes, it is not to boast, not to intimidate and not to defend Himself, but to bring comfort. Justice will prevail, goodness will triumph, mercy will rejoice and truth will be trumpeted in God’s perfect time and in God’s perfect way. In the meantime my task is to learn to trust Him “though He slay me.” Job 13:15.

First Prayer of the Day

Oh God, You placed upon Christ the Holy Spirit without measure. I am not presumptuous to ask that I now be so like Christ; for this You have reserved a Day. I do ask that this very hour every truth You have shown me about the power of the Holy Spirit would be granted me. Let me live for your purpose with a loyal heart; grant me power over temptation, taking every thought captive, treating every temptation as an opportunity to worship You and to rejoice with You for Your excellent provision, which by faith I now receive as an accomplished fact rather than a future event. Let me trust in Your promises to produce the fruits of righteousness pertaining to Your will; help me remember when attempting to serve that I can do nothing apart from You; nevertheless, it is Your will that I produce the fruit that remains; therefore let every endeavor be saturated in prayer and trust for the increase that only You can and will provide. Grant me the fearlessness that takes no thought of slights or wrongs or trying, vexing circumstance, viewing all such as necessary injuries to my bloated self love and pride. Lord, when I fail, and no matter how far I fall, grant me that galling, daring, thrilling faith that hopes for what I do not deserve, so that as I am rescued from every dilemma, I will abound in the grace that not only delivers but wholly delivers.
Grant these powers to me, oh Lord, though I do not deserve them, because such is Your promise to those who ask. Grant these unearned graces, though they are mere reflections of Your own dear Presence and Glory, for You are not a principle but the Person of persons, the author of intimacy. Thus it is You I seek, not merely the graces, but the peace derived by Your acceptance, the warmth of Your love and even humor, and the passion of Your driving interests. Yes, I receive all that You are able to reveal in me without my ruin. Grant it oh Lord, most precious and beloved, most Holy and fearsome, most gentle and kind, and so I will, and so I must, adore You forever! Praise the Lord!

And the Winner Is…

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

The book of Esther never mentions God’s name, yet contains one of the strongest messages of hope for believers today.

Esther, of course, wins the first recorded beauty contest and becomes Queen next to King, Ahasuerus. At some point Haman, the King’s right hand man and a type of Satan, seeks to destroy every living Jew in Persia and Media. There is only one man who can halt the slaughter and that is King Ahasuerus, and there is only one Jew he will listen to and that is Queen Esther. Here is the problem. It is against the law for Queen Esther to seek an audience with the king, unbidden. The penalty is death.

However, if the king chooses to be merciful, he will take the sensor in his hand and extend it forward as an invitation to enter into his illustrious presence. What struck me about this story is:

*The Jews were given the sentence of death.
**We were dead in trespasses and sins.

*Esther, who represented her people and under the same death sentence, was never-the-less beautiful and desirable to the king.
**We who are sick with sin and moral bankruptcy, are no less beautiful to the King of heaven.

*The king extended the sensor, inviting Esther to enter.
**The King of Heaven extends the “rod” (see Isaiah 11:1-5), who is Christ, to sinners.

*Esther touches the censor and thereby gains access into the King’s grace.
**Sinners gain access to the King of heaven by receiving (touching) Christ.

*The king offers Esther her request, up to half his kingdom!
*The King of heaven promises to grant you “all things” (Rom 8:32, Rev 21:17)

*Haman was hanged on the gallows he constructed to kill Mordecai the Jew.
**Satan will be cast into the lake of fire—the death he inflicted upon others will become his ultimate fate.

*Haman cast the ‘Pur’ (“lot”) to determine the day of Jewish annihilation. Esther’s victory over death resulted in a great celebration which is celebrated to this day—Purim. But when the appointed day arrived for the destruction of the Jews, their enemies were destroyed instead, at the King’s decree.
**So also, our enemy, death, can be defeated by the decree of our great King who grants everlasting life to all who believe in Him!

Even though the book of Esther was written nearly 2500 years ago, makes no mention of God or the gospel of Christ, to this very day it speaks to every soul on the planet with the sentence of death hanging over their collective heads. The message? Take hold of the sensor, the rod of Jesse extended to you by grace. Your Creator declares you to be exquisitely beautiful, desires your company at a marriage supper yet to come in the heavens and wants to give you an everlasting inheritance.

Killing Five Birds With One Stone

John 16:29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!”

Jesus really must have bugged people because He spoke in parables and loved a good “figure of speech”. Well, at least His disciples received an explanation now and again, if they needled Him enough! (See John 11:1-16, for example). Very often I have asked questions like, “Lord, why can’t you just tell me the answer?” “Why is it that I seem deaf to Your whispers?” “Why is it that I seem to hear You most clearly during the storms of life?”

I think one answer to this dilemma is rooted in my prideful, stubborn self will. If God can steer me in the right direction, and yet at the same time build submission, integrity, wisdom, or humility into my poor life, then so be it. I just want an answer. Lord, is it ‘yes’ or ‘no?’ But God, the ultimate multitasker, would rather teach me to live the answer, so that I will not have to ask that question ever again. A simple yes or no usually teaches me little. I will just congratulate myself for discerning the will of God and go autonomously about my life having gained little.

On the other hand, if I am forced to weigh and agonize through my options, pour over scripture without insight, walk through doors that lead nowhere, and even crash and burn because of poor choices, my cognitive processes, tempered by stings and insults, ultimately will add wisdom and the “peaceable fruit of righteousness.” Most of us focus best during a crisis. The pulse increases, the face flushes, ganglia synapses in the brain fire off on all cylinders, as we hold on for dear life with one arm and grope for answers with the other. Thus, stormy trials add dimension to understanding.

Most people do not “like”. It is too gritty, too real, too painful to follow Christ wherever His lessons take us. Jesus used a figure of speech on another occasion as recorded in John 6:53,54

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Many so called disciples deserted Jesus when they heard this strange saying. Jesus is like that. He speaks in riddles, parables, hyperbole. No, we do not become cannibals every time we partake of the communion. But we do, like Jesus, learn obedience through the things that we suffer.