The undergirding word

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟮𝟵:𝟭𝟴 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁; 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺’𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

The “revelation” in this verse denotes a prophetic vision – a word from God concerning the current times and circumstances of the people. There are many instances of the Lord speaking through prophets, and it was often a word of correction or judgment, in response to sin or the ongoing obstinance of the nations. It happened in addition to the written Law of Moses. And the Law of Moses – the first 5 books of the modern Bible is what “wisdom” is in the verse (the word is “Torah” – Hebrew for Law).

Taken together, the lack of a recent, fresh prophetic word is taken by people as a signal to walk away from following God, to cast off restraint, give in to temptation or go after other pursuits. It is a dangerous proposition (as the KJV states – “the people perish”).

But blessed, or happy, is the one – now pointing to the individual – who remembers the eternal word of God and maintains restraint.

In the practice of corporate faith, there is an ongoing “vogue” of the latest thing spoken and heard. The fresh word from a prophet has a crisp feel to it; a relevance and personal, contemporary touch. There is a vibrant, vital preaching or worship ministry happening, and it captures hearts and attracts many followers. Growth may be exponential and blessing abundant and rich.

But, invariably, the season ends. The Lord ends it, if for no other reason than people start to depend upon it. As Keith Green sang – “nothing lasts except the grace of God by which I stand in Jesus”.

As a result, there can quickly develop a “what have you done for me lately?” accusation towards God. But God is not duty bound to provide a constant flow of special words for people or sustain any given movement or ministry. We have been given another, more eternal and powerful word already. That is what the blessed one has, undergirding it all.

Firstly, it is necessary test for any sermon or prophecy to align with the given Word of God. Secondly, to experience prophetic words and in-season messages and on-fire ministries should not be a source of pride; yet that can and does happen. With that pride, when the experience ceases, so do faith and obedience. Being rooted and grounded in the Word is critical at those points.

And likewise, there is no room for pride among those to heed wisdom’s instruction either, for wisdom demands humility. And there is blessing or happiness in being kept safe and in faith.

Stories that span generations

𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟳𝟭:𝟭𝟴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘆, 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲, 𝗺𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗱, 𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲.

The old are discarded. That is nothing new. They are disregarded. Though they tell stories of their adventures, it’s presumed that they are either delusional or exaggerating. And sometimes they ARE. Their view of the world is assumed to be as the world was, not as it is. And sometimes their perspective IS dated like that.

It is easy, then, for an old person to think God has also cast him/her aside as yesterday’s news and an artifact only of how things were. That person can grow to expect only impoverishment of spirit and death. The slow descent into bodily decline can be seen to mirror one in the spirit. “Not so!” says the psalmist.

The lessons learned and experiences had are of vital importance to the next generation, without exception. The verse says nothing about the reception the declaration of God’s power will be received by those who are younger – and the old person will do well to consider how s/he received the same testimony. The acts of God among the lives of humans is BEST passed on by eyewitnesses, as it is an ongoing narrative for those of any age who believe.

𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴:

Stories may be dismissed as hyperbole and myth. If you’re old and have seen, tell them anyway. The speaker may be maligned and humiliated due to ageism and prejudice. God’s stories find their way across the generations nonetheless.

Nor is the immediate response of the younger listeners a gauge as to net effect of the testimony of the old. It never was. Nor is the complete embracing of all that is said, for it is only God’s Word that doesn’t return void, not the word of humans. As the trustworthy statement goes – “God has no grandchildren”. Faith is not passed on via DNA. God will touch whom he will; be in prayer that he amplifies the word of your testimony, O veteran of spiritual warfare. God has not abandoned you, don’t you abandon his work in you. 

Logs and specks

Luke 6:42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Fault-finding putdown artists are actors (hypocrites), says Jesus.  They have no intention of facing up to their own shortcomings, but only delight in point those out in others.  There is a preadolescent mindset that begins with the discovery that demeaning others makes one feel powerful and superior.  It’s a lie, says the Lord, for it leaves out the most important ingredient of all – humility.

Motives are cleansed by allowing God to convict and correct.  The trouble is that fault-finders cannot distinguish conviction and condemnation.  They count on condemnation disqualifying and eliminating others, so they cannot allow any scrutiny to be applied to their hearts or lives.  No, says Jesus, “first take the log out of your own eye” – let the truth penetrate your life, be forgiven and freed, THEN you will understand conviction and freedom for others.  At that point, when you remove THEIR speck, it will be out of love and desire for their best.

The teaching does NOT negate care to remove other’s specks.  My own log – however huge and ugly – does not make me unable to help others with their (albeit smaller) issues.

If I am in the business of the putdown of others, I then need to ask about my own state before God.  I can trust this – it’s a leading indicator of my own need for conviction, forgiveness, cleansing/healing and freedom.  If and when my motives are pure – that is, I am no hypocrite but instead fully acknowledge my own imperfection and struggles – I can love people enough to confront them with things they may not see in themselves.  For it’s no mistake the analogy involves the organ through which we see – we cannot see through a speck.

I rejoice in the freedom God gives me and all his children.  It never comes without struggle and the first person’s struggle I deal with is my own.  And then there is victory for us all!

Turning towards the good news

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭:𝟭𝟰‭-‬𝟭𝟱 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱; 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹.”

Mark 1 covers a lot of history of Jesus’ life in just a few verses, but this statement from the Lord at the beginning of his ministry is both terse and deeply engaging.

The time being “fulfilled” provides the historical context for the life and ministry of Jesus. It happened exactly when God determined it would, and all things were set in place. From the dire spiritual state of the nation of Israel to the rule of Rome, with all the roads and travel lanes that had opened, the point of Jesus’ entry onto the scene was ordained.

The kingdom of God being “at hand” announced what was now available through Christ. Humankind would be touched as never before with miracles, teaching and opportunity to walk out lives directed and blessed by God the Father in Heaven. “It’s right here” says Jesus, come and get it.

There is no translation of the Greek word for gospel – εὐαγγέλιον (pronounced euangelion) – means anything gloomy or burdensome. It simply means good (“eu” prefix) news or message (angelion). Jesus repeatedly urges people to believe it – that there is good will from God for them in life – both to save and restore and give hope and a future. It makes all the difference in how people live.

Coupled with the word for “gospel”, “repent” – meaning turn and go the other way – refers to mindset and faith that is “bad news” or at least laced with that. Rather than thinking about this sin or that, the call is to change our minds and believe that God loves and cares for us. All other actions and thoughts related to believing the bad news simply fall away – though some certainly die hard.

Let me then believe, practice and thus preach the good news where and when God enables and opens the door. He loves me and loves us and wants the best for us.

The inner wash

Matthew 15:18-20 “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

The “traditions of the elders” and nothing in scripture or the Law compelled the Jewish leaders to wash before eating.  It’s certainly not a bad idea but the compulsion is overplayed.  It was a point of compliance forced on the people by those who “knew best”.  Except, they did NOT know best.

Jesus’ description of what comes out of the mouth – in words which turn into deeds – is a list of depraved output that brings people into their worst state.  They reveal something very broken inside and that brokenness dwarfs any hand-washing or external action to cleanse the skin or extremities.  A good adage is “you can’t wash your heart”, because only God can do that.

The call is to integrity – to be the same person outside as inside.  It means acknowledging the ugliness and filthy thoughts within and allowing God to heal and cleanse.  It means not trying to look good (or look bad) or compelling others to look good.  As the evil-doer, adulterer and murderer and then heart-broken King David said:

Psalm 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

For it is not merely delusional to hide what’s inside, it’s deadly.  As David had ceased doing (though he knew better), let me let God do this:

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

It is a sign of saving faith that I allow the light to shine even on my most shameful parts.

Filling the house

Matthew 12:43-45 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.  Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Evil can be removed by deliverance or conquest, but unless it is replaced with virtue and righteousness, it will come back in greater proportions.  Jesus regularly cast out demons.  The behavior and effects those spirits caused was personally and socially destructive. 

The phenomenon of their returning to their former hosts is chilling and shows the need for a second spiritual act to be sure that the “house” is NOT empty.  That is, Jesus must fill the “house”.  The Holy Spirit, infinitely more powerful than any demon, will not cohabitate with any other spirit.  In God there is no darkness.

And Jesus did not leave the story with a single person re-possessed by the devil.  He concluded by saying this was also the tale of his evil generation.  In that sense, his ministry to that generation of people did accomplish the advent of the Kingdom of God, but if unbelief persisted, it was only temporary.   Believers went on in their liberty from the Evil One, for they obtained an infilling that left the “house” full and redeemed.

Salvation is not always readily noticed.  Sin can persist along with all the sickness and trials of the human condition.  (Guaranteed divine health is a proud travesty)  So if I look at the valleys of life and forget with whom I am filled, I may need reminding of the permanent state of my deliverance, ongoing salvation and destiny.  Though I may struggle, there is no “re-entry” of evil.  That battle is won.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Singing songs of deliverance

Psalm 32:6-7 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

The passage starts with words that sound quite conditional – effective prayer is to be offered only by the godly ones and only during a time when God “may be found”. But in the original language the phrase shows up elsewhere and a more literal rendering would be “when in the time of finding” .. that is, a season in human life when the soul yearns to find God. Yet it is seasonal – the penitence and humility to pray and seek God can and are certainly NOT permanent states of every life, nor states in the life of every group or nation. That is, there are times when God is NOT found due to a lack of seeking, faith and/or overriding concern. The conditionality is on people, not God.

The rush of great waters would happen in a different season – one of trial and calamity.  The season of prayer and seeking is clearly preparation and the source of deliverance during the flood.  Floods are guaranteed; deliverance from them is conditional, truly.

The safety from the waters is a place of shelter, or hiding, from the troubles when they come.  The preserving, keeping protection God provides shouts or songs that circle his people on every side.  The power of the loud testimony keeps hearts and minds centered on the reality of that protection.  It amplifies over the din of the rushing flood, of threat and gloom.  The believer sings along and is preserved from all harm.

Rising waters do not only cause physical damage to life and property.  Certainly, they sweep away both people and the elements of people’s lives.  They also leave indelible marks on the soul – emotional and experiential scars that live on as fateful harbingers of disaster to follow.  Expectations sink in the murky waters.

Let me then mark my deliverance.  Let me sing those songs I heard clearly during the season of my deliverance.  For they were from the Almighty, testimony to prayer and devotion I learned to offer in seasons prior.  I’ve earned nothing, but have remained attached to the vine that gives life and even watches over it.  To God be the glory.

Sing on, O my soul, and rejoice in the God who saves.

The reward of the cheerful heart

𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟵:𝟲-𝟳 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆. 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿.

Paul was collecting an offering for the Jerusalem church, the spiritual “mother church”. There was a bad famine in Israel and people were starving. From the more affluent Gentile believers, Paul issued a pointed and passionate challenge – Give generously and you will see reward in your life. Period.

While the call is not to abandon reason in one’s giving, it absolutely entails taking reason off the throne of heart and adopting compassion that opens the wallet or makes available the resource.

To be sure, there is wisdom to know that the appeal has integrity and the funds and resources will actually go where the gatherer says (e.g. gifts to poor nations routinely go through corrupt regimes and leaders, with little or nothing getting to the needy). And giving that enables destructive behavior is not what this passage describes.

I’m challenged to name the ways generosity is threatened, because truly these do overrule the appeal in myself and others if we let them:

𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. I don’t want to give good money after bad. Put more vividly, will I give to an ungrateful, snarling grouse whose hunger (in my exalted opinion) is self-inflicted? I should know that if I do not, my own ungrateful, snarling soul will remain bereft of the promised reward. I do not have the equipment to gauge the outcome in the life of the recipient. Those who receive don’t need to earn generosity.

𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. I (or someone else) want(s) to look generous as an ulterior motive. Or, giving only to people and causes that align with my political sensibilities. Donations to causes are FINE, but not to be confused with generosity. The reward for that is far from certain and dubious from the outset.

𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. No, the freedom to give or not give is implicit in the process. There is no inherent punishment for withholding, though a miserly heart does get its own dark “reward”. But appeals that project attitudes and pronounce dire consequences to raise funds carry an element of sales ploys.

𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵. For sure there is reward promised in scripture, and experienced in the action itself. But if that payback becomes the motive for giving, it puts the giver in a seat only God can fill. Despite the current popular and pervasive teaching, we do not name our reward in substance or detail of its delivery. Our lives become blessable through giving, no more.

It is stunning what giving does in heavenly accounting books:

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟭𝟵:𝟭𝟳 𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗗, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲.

… and there is certainly enough promise and fulfillment to make us the “cheerful giver” that God loves.

Bring me through

Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

The heavenly discussion in Job 1 is unique in the Word of God.  God and Satan have it out over Job, a certified righteous individual on earth.  It is particularly unusual in that the accuser is not the one who mentions Job as a person guilty of this iniquity or that.  No, it is the Lord who brings up Job’s name.  Sometimes I’ve mused that if Job was there and knew what was going to happen, he would protest loudly – “NO!  Do NOT bring me into this conversation!”  For Job would puzzle about all the disaster and theological rankling that would follow.  In all his suffering, his biggest question would be “Why?”

Far from a boasting match between God and Satan at the expense of a poor human, we have in the book of Job a vital picture of the testing of faith.  It is Satan who makes it a petty contest.  All the while God knows his servant’s heart and even his limitations. 

I can read abandonment into the story, or abuse or oppression.  But God never abandons Job, and any abuse or oppression is on the part of the evil one.  It’s a universal script for the human condition.  For it is a constant temptation to blame God for every malady and trial I undergo.  And certainly, he allows these things in my life.  But God also knows what I’m made of – indeed, what God himself is building to this day – and knows the end from the beginning.  It is the supreme lesson of Job’s story that:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

How could Paul, the writer of the book of Romans possibly have the assurance to say that “we know”?  Only by walking through Job-like experiences.  It’s hardly a desirable path,  but it’s part of being formed in Christ.

So I won’t be a fool and say “Bring it on!” but I will lean in and say “Bring me through!”

Hard encouragement

Luke 22:61-62 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Peter, impetuous, boastful and proud. Yet, overcome by fear of being arrested himself, he had denied knowing Jesus or being one of his followers three times. Jesus had told him that he had prayed for him to not fall away and then said that he would deny him, as he did. That is, Jesus had seen the whole scene in advance.

And then, Jesus turned and looked across the noisy room of accusers and abusers and stared straight at Peter. The heartbreak and bitter disappointment in himself overcame Peter, and he left in grief. Peter knew the seriousness of what he had done. He had heard Jesus earlier proclaim:

Luke 12:8-9 “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.”

There was then a schism between everything Peter knew about Christ, all in which he had partaken, and where he stood as one who denies. He had himself seemingly been disowned.

But we know the story and it didn’t end here. Peter persisted in faith and was personally restored by Jesus after the Resurrection (see John 21). From our vantage point, this episode can be seen as a necessary lesson in humility and shame that Peter needed to be the person Jesus knew he would become.

There is hard encouragement here. I (and we) have more than one chance to get it right, even to the point of cataclysmic failure. The stare of the Lord is pointed and personal; it arrests us in our tracks and brings us to know we have hurt the One who loves more than anyone else. Woe to me if I do not mourn my sin; let me never be callous about my careless and self-protective words and actions.

Let me learn, as Peter did, about Jesus who intercedes for me to not fall away but constantly be restored and renewed. I need that second (and third, fourth, etc.) chance. And it is granted me, praise God.