"I Am Writing..."

For the last month I have been writing daily devotionals to encourage others with the truth of the Gospel — the “Good News” of what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do in the lives of his children — so that we can maintain a positive outlook despite all the problems around us.

So you can imagine how encouraged I was when I opened my Bible today and read 1 John 2, where in the span of three verses (1 John 2:12-14), John uses the word “write” (γράφω, graphó) six times!

“I am writing … writing … writing … I write … write … write …”

John repeatedly mentions his writing to emphasize the continuing effect he wants his words to have on the hearts and minds of his readers. In doing so, John recognizes that they’re all at different levels of spiritual maturity.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

John writes in order to encourage and reassure all believers in all stages of spiritual maturity. Why? Because no matter how far we’ve come on our spiritual journey — whether we’re “newbies” or “veterans” — all Christians need encouragement!

Up to this point in his letter, John has dished out some strong words. He has just warned his readers about false teachers who want to deceive them (1 John 2:11), and he is about to say that if you love the world, you don’t have the love of God the Father in you (1 John 2:15). But in between these stern statements, John inserts this short section to encourage his readers.

The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Correction does much, but encouragement does more.” The Bible does both, for “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). As this text shows, even the more negative elements of Scripture are written to have a positive end.

That’s why John wrote the way he did, and he wants his readers to know that. Steven Cole rightly declares, “To grow, we must be assured and encouraged about what God has done and is doing in our lives.”

That’s why John wrote his letter, and that’s the reason I write this blog.

“I am writing …”

Thanks for reading.

Jolt to the World

The news hit hard & fast this morning: “President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19.” One news agency reported, “The diagnosis amounts to the most serious known health threat to a sitting American president in decades. At 74 years old and obese, Trump falls into the highest risk category for serious complications from the disease,” which has contributed to the death of more than 200,000 Americans and more than 1 million people worldwide.

On Facebook a friend of mine wrote,

… the virus is still out there and doesn’t care who you are. The President has testing capabilities for those who come into his orbit … and it still got to him.

The President, who is arguably the most powerful person in the world, could not withstand the infectious nature of this disease.

But what’s far more amazing — and this is where we find true gospel encouragement — is that the infinite God of the universe came into our orbit voluntarily and took on himself all the sickness and sins of humanity.

He himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.

— Isaiah 53:4-6

Not only did Jesus take on our sins and sickness, but by doing so, he made us whole. He was beaten so that we could become healthy! “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder [champion] of their salvation perfect through suffering” (Heb. 2:19). “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9).

Our church family has been studying the book of Hebrews for the better part of 2020. As we have encountered these verses, we have experienced gospel encouragement amidst the spread of Covid-19. Despite the sufferings of this present time, we look forward by faith to that Day when our salvation will be fully realized, for we belong to an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb. 11:28).

The coronavirus is no match for Jesus Christ. In the face of this “jolt to the world,” we can sing “Joy to the World!”

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

Endless Vitality

For the last twenty-two years, our family has lived in New England and upstate New York, where we have enjoyed the dazzling colors of the fall foliage. But we don’t see any palm trees! They tend to grow in warmer coastal regions, which is why we associate them with vacation destinations and beautiful islands.

Throughout history, palm trees have symbolized health, vitality, longevity, and fruitfulness. Spiritually, this is how Scripture refers to the righteous — those who love the Lord, take him at his word, and live accordingly.

This morning I read Psalm 92, which closes with beautiful imagery:

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Last summer I visited the land of Israel and saw many palm trees. But the species of tree to which the Psalmist was referring, the Judean date palm, which grew in Israel thousands of years ago, “produced a larger, more durable and sweeter variety of date than the fruit we see today.” In an Smithsonian Magazine article earlier this year, Brigit Katz noted,

In ancient times, the region of Judea was known for its plump, delicious dates, which delighted the palates of classical writers like Pliny the Elder; in his sweeping natural history treatise, the Roman author marvels at the Judean date’s “unctuous juice” and “extremely sweet sort of wine-flavour like that of honey.”

Such was the tree the psalmist had in mind when he wrote, “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.” The image is that of fruitfulness and vigor. “They still bear fruit in old age” (vs. 14). The life span of a palm tree is about 100 years old. Throughout its life, it continues to bear fruit, making it an appropriate simile for a godly person. Bible scholar Derek Kidner notes,

It is a picture … which sets a pattern of spiritual stamina for our encouragement and possibly our rebuke.

That is to say, elderly Christians should be encouraged to know that they are still of great value and benefit to others as they proclaim the Lord’s greatness (Ps. 92:15). But in some cases “senior saints” need to be rebuked because they have grown spiritually lazy in their latter years and no longer look for ways to serve others. (Indeed, I’ve heard more than one elderly believer say, “I’ve put in my time,” indicating that they’re over and done with ministry.) That’s not the biblical picture presented here! Older saints have invaluable wisdom, seasoned counsel, earnest prayer, and precious memories of God’s faithfulness to share with others!

Never underestimate the value of godly, older Christians — whether that be you or someone else.

“They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps. 92:13). That’s how believers stay fresh and green: they are rooted and grounded in God, continuing to worship him with the gathered church through all seasons of life.

This is the one other tree referred to in Psalm 92 as a symbol of godly people. “They grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Ps. 92:12) — the largest trees of the Near East, a symbol of majestic size and strength. Such vitality, stability, fruitfulness and strength result from worshiping God. (As I pointed out in another article, “A Steady Heart,” my own father exemplifies this truth.)

Today on #ThankfulThursday, our church family is celebrating the lives of three men in our congregation who went home to be with the Lord this past month. By God’s grace, they all “by reason of strength” (Ps. 90:10) lived into their 80s. Each of them had “evergreen hearts” filled with spiritual vitality that generated faithful service to others. They remained fruitful until the end and finished well.

May we do the same.

Despite the Train Wreck, Take Heart!

Somehow I survived the last night’s 90-minute brawl. Er, I mean, debate. Actually, no, I really do mean brawl.

It did not leave a positive impression of either candidate. One member of our church quipped, “I don’t know which I want to see end first — Covid-19 or the 2020 election. ” I think many Americans are feeling the same way!

The best thing that has come out of the debate, at least in terms of social media, are the GIFs from last night and this morning. I’m tempted to share a few of them, but I don't want to get side-tracked. Besides, I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of them already.

But here’s a list of “mixed reviews” on last night’s debate, as posted this morning by a friend of mine:

The Republications: “We won!”

The Democrats: “We won!”

Christians: “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Babies awaiting abortion: groan

Satan and his devils: “We won!”

BLM: ”Doesn’t change anything for us!”

Social injustice advocates: “Ditto!”

Spirit of God: “I will not always strive.”

Christ: “I’ll be coming soon!”

God: Laughs

Any one of the above reviews could be expounded on at length, with accompanying Scriptures. But if we restrict our focus to the “Trinitarian commentary,” coupled with the Christians’ cry, “Come, Lord Jesus!”, we have all that we need to remind ourselves of who’s in charge and where our hope ultimately lies.

The last review refers to Psalm 2, which begins with a rhetorical question: “Why do the nations rage [noisily assemble] and the peoples plot in vain?” (v. 1). A few verses later the Psalmist boldly asserts, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision” (v. 4).

This is not a laughter of hilarity but of holy mockery. God then declares, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (v. 6). Thank God that Jesus reigns! Our King of righteousness and peace rules from heaven now and will return to establish his universal reign on earth. That’s why we exclaim, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

In the meantime we continue to pray for our leaders, our nation, and our world. (Having just read Daniel 9, I’m thinking that’s a good place to start.)

At the beginning of this post, I said I wasn’t going to share any GIFs. But since this blog exists for the sake of gospel encouragement, I’m going to end today’s devotional by pasting a tweet by Dustin Benge that got my day off to a great start. May it brighten your outlook, too!

"You Are Greatly Loved"

Could any greater message be communicated from the Most High God to us? Yet that is exactly the message that God delivered to Daniel — not once, but three times!

““O Daniel … you are greatly loved” (Dan. 9:22, 23)

“O Daniel, man greatly loved . . .” (Dan. 10:11)

“O man greatly loved . . .” (Dan. 10:19)

In these verses, God affirms his love for Daniel as an individual person. I’ll say more about that in a moment. But first it should be noted that God has a universal love for all of humanity. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God loves us not because we’re great, but because he is extremely gracious. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). “The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:9). Theologians refer to this as God’s “common grace” — his compassion and kindness toward all humanity.

In his heart-stirring book, The Love of God, John MacArthur writes,

Common grace does not pardon sin or redeem sinners, but it is nevertheless a sincere token of God’s goodwill to mankind in general. … If you question the love and goodness of God to all, look again at the world in which we live. Someone might say, “There’s a lot of sorrow in this world.” The only reason the sorrow & tragedy stand out is because there is also much joy & gladness. The only reason we recognize the ugliness is that God has given us so much beauty. The only reason we feel the disappointment is that there is so much that satisfies.

God’s love for the whole world is seen in his common grace, his compassion, and his call to repent and believe the gospel. This leads to our next point:

God loves everyone universally, but He does not love everyone equally.

Scripture teaches that God set his love on certain persons from eternity past and predestined them to eternal life. The apostle Paul tells us why: “God chooses people according to his own purposes; he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works” (Rom. 9:11-12 NLT). We are saved solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ, to the praise of God’s glory (Eph. 1:12; 2:8-9).

This is the kind of special, electing love that God had for Daniel. As I read the three affirmations of God’s love for Daniel in context, I was encouraged by four things God did for Daniel as an expression of his love for him.

1. God responded to his prayer. In Daniel 9, the prophet poured out his heart to God, confessing his and his people’s sins, while acknowledging God’s faithfulness and asking the Lord to hear his prayer and pleas for mercy. While Daniel was still praying, Gabriel appeared to him and said, “O Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved” (Dan. 9:22-23). Likewise, Jesus assures believers, “whatever you ask the Father in my name, he [will] give it to you” (John 15:16; cf. 1 John 5:14-15).

2. God revealed his word to Daniel. “And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you … for now I have been sent to you’” (Dan. 10:11). Scripture says, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant” (Ps. 25:14). Jesus prayed for his people, saying to the Father, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Moreover, Paul declares, “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor. 2:10).

3. God renewed Daniel’s strength. Upon feeling the weight and magnitude of God’s word, Daniel felt overwhelmed and said, “‘now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.’ Again, one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, ‘O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.’ And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, ‘Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me’” (Dan. 10:17-19). God does the same for us! “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Ps. 29:11; cf. Isa. 40:25-31). Matthew Henry rightly noted, “One touch from heaven brings us to our knees, sets us on our feet, opens our lips, and strengthens us, for it is God that works on us, and works in us, both to will and to do that which is good.”

4. God raised up benefactors for Daniel and his fellow Jews. “And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him” (Dan. 11:1). God raised up a pagan king and established his rule in order to do good for Daniel and his people. How? By causing the kingdom of Babylon to fall, thus paving the way for the Jews’ eventual return from captivity to rebuild the temple and city of Jerusalem. In fact, God later raised up the Persian Emperor Cyrus the Great, who issued the decree authorizing the Judean exiles to return home and rebuild the Temple. This was a direct fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy decades earlier (see Jer. 29:1-14; Ezra 1:1-4). Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Throughout history, God has raised up friends for the church, such as Frederick the Wise, who protected the Reformer Martin Luther when he was being persecuted. Numerous other examples from history could be cited. (To read an interesting article along these lines, check out the Christianity Today article by Daniel Block entitled “Is Trump Our Cyrus? The Old Testament Case for Yes and No.”)

All the things God did for Daniel, God continues to do for each child of his. In fact, we have but skimmed the surface of God’s unfathomable love toward us!

Could we with ink the oceans fill, and were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry,

Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.

Covid Can't Harm You!

Earlier this month, The Washington Post reported,

Infectious-disease experts are warning of a potential cold-weather surge of coronavirus cases — a long-feared “second wave” of infections and deaths, possibly at a catastrophic scale.

In the face of such a dire forecast, we can draw comfort from Scripture.

This morning I read Psalm 91, which emphasizes the safety and happiness that comes from knowing God and trusting him. The psalm begins with a powerful declaration (v. 1), followed by a personal prayer (v. 2):

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

When calamity comes, people run for cover toward whatever place they think will provide protection. But here in Psalm 91 we learn that the only safe and invincible fortress is God himself. The psalmist appropriates this truth personally by going to God in prayer, after which he immediately reassures the reader, saying, “he will deliver you.” The “you” is singular, indicating the care that God shows individually for every person who trusts in him!

In verse 3-6 he describes the manner in which God protects us from the many dangers that threaten us. In verses 7-8 he says, “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.” John Calvin notes that “God, as the righteous judge of the world, cannot but punish the wicked according to their sins, and extend protection to his own children.”

God’s protection over every single one of his people is reiterated with a bold statement in verses 9-10. Keep in mind that each “you” is singular, applying to you personally as God’s child:

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place — the most High, who is my refuge — no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

Does this mean that no Christian can contract the coronavirus … or cancer … or some other deadly disease? No, of course not. Such a statement must be interpreted in the light of Scripture as a whole. The truth is that when trouble comes our way, there is ultimately no real evil in it, because in the end it cannot destroy us. On the contrary, God causes all things — including the very worst things — to work together for our good (Rom. 8:28).

How does God make this happen? (This for me was the most eye-opening part of the psalm.)

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (Ps. 91:11).

The “you” is still singular, whereas “angels” is plural. Feel the weight of what God is saying here! John Calvin captures the point perfectly:

[God] does not assign one solitary angel to each saint, but commissions the whole armies of heaven to keep watch over every individual believer.

Maybe you should read that again!

“Are [angels] not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14)

Calvin goes on to say,

It were something, no doubt to know that even one angel was set over us with this commission, but it adds weight to the promise when we are informed that the charge of our safety is committed to a numerous host, as Elisha was enabled, by a like consideration, to despise [regard as unworthy of concern] the great army of adversaries arrayed against him (2 Kings 6:16).

Interestingly, the devil tried to use Psalm 91:10-11 to tempt Jesus to jump off the highest point of the temple (Luke 4:9), but “Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, '“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test”’” (Luke 4:10).

This is another observation that I find fascinating. When the devil quoted Psalm 91:10, he left out the phrase “in all your ways.” Not only does this phrase reassure us that wherever we go, God’s angels will guard us, but this phrase also reminds us that we bear a personal responsibility in the matter. God’s promise is never intended to incur recklessness on our part, but responsible Christian living. In other words, we should not expect the angels to bail us out of the consequences of our bad decisions!

Wisdom keeps us from being careless. Faith keeps us from being captive.

Psalm 91 ends with a direct statement by God regarding his protection of each person who belongs to him:

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. (Ps. 91:14-16)

God doesn’t promise that life will be easy and that no troubles will come our way. But he does promise us divine protection and deliverance. As Calvin so eloquently put it,

The salvation of God extends far beyond the narrow boundary of earthly existence; and it is to this, whether we live or come to die, that we should principally look. It is with such a view that the Psalmist, after stating all the other benefits which God bestows, adds this as a final clause, that when he has followed them with his fatherly goodness throughout their lives, he at last shows them his salvation.

Amen, and amen!

Linger Longer

Every morning I wake up early with the coffee already brewed and ready to pour. Two things about my morning coffee: (1) I don’t like for it to get cold; (2) I don’t like to get out of my chair to reheat my coffee in the microwave.

So for years I’ve used a coffee warmer that sits on the table right next to my easy chair. Because this little device keeps my coffee warm, I can linger longer. (This is the time I read my Bible, pray, and do some extra reading.)

But I also need help keeping my heart warm, too. Usually Bible reading is not a problem for me. But I find that my prayers are often proportionately shorter than they should be.

When I come before the throne of grace, I need to linger longer.

In this regard the prayers of the Puritans have been a wonderful resource for me. The weight of their biblical substance and the warmth of their tone help me to linger longer in God’s presence.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the language of these prayers is a bit antiquated, like the King James Version of the Bible. But, as one pastor-friend of mine put it, “When used slowly, for meditation and prayer, these [prayers] have often been used by God’s Spirit to kindle my dry heart.”

Last weekend I shared a prayer to be offered on the eve of the Lord’s Day. But here is another prayer meant to be offered actually on the Lord’s Day.

May it warm your heart.

Don’t rush through it.

Linger longer.

The Lord’s Day

O LORD my LORD,

This is thy day,

the heavenly ordinance of rest,

the open door of worship,

the record of Jesus’ resurrection,

the seal of the sabbath to come,

the day when saints militant and triumphant unite in endless song.

I bless thee for the throne of grace,

that here free favor reigns;

that open access to it is through the blood of Jesus;

that the veil is torn aside and I can enter the holiest

and find thee ready to hear,

waiting to be gracious,

inviting me to pour out my needs,

encouraging my desires,

promising to give more than I ask or think.

But while I bless thee, shame and confusion are mine:

I remember my past misuse of sacred things,

my irreverent worship,

my base ingratitude,

my cold, dull praise.

Sprinkle all my past sabbaths with the cleansing blood of Jesus, and may this day witness deep improvement in me.

Give me in rich abundance the blessings the Lord’s Day was designed to impart;

May my heart be fast bound against worldly thoughts or cares;

Flood my mind with peace beyond understanding;

may my meditations be sweet,

my acts of worship life, liberty, joy,

my drink the streams that flow from thy throne,

my food the precious Word,

my defense the shield of faith,

and my heart be more knit to Jesus.

Amen.

Our Election, God's Selection

As Election Day draws near, people are getting nervous. Someone told me the other day he’s “scared to death” that Biden will be our next president.

While your anxiety may not be that intense, would it be fair to say that you’re somewhat worried about the upcoming election?

From a human standpoint, I get it. There’s much at stake as we consider our country’s moral degradation and the influence that the U. S. President has in setting our national agenda. His views on abortion, gay marriage, civil rights, law and order, and other issues will impact hundreds of millions of Americans, including you and me. We’re rightly concerned not only for ourselves, but also for our children and grandchildren. Yes, much is at stake in this year’s election. That’s for sure.

But this morning as I read the first few chapters of Daniel, I was reminded of who’s really in charge.

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings . . . (Dan. 2:20-21).

Daniel was a Jew taken as a captive to Babylon when he was still a teenager. He served under the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar who had a massive ego, a fiery temper, and impulsive tendencies. That’s a bad combination! When Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he could not understand, he demanded that his wise men both tell him the dream and interpret it. When they couldn’t, he commanded that they all be destroyed! Thankfully, God mercifully gave Daniel the ability to tell Nebuchadnezzar what he dreamed and interpret it for him. In fact, the praise-filled prayer quoted above was Daniel’s response to God’s revelation.

Instead of worrying, Daniel worshiped. So did Asaph in Psalm 75. He begins by saying, “We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds” (Ps. 75:1). Asaph recognizes that God alone is worthy of such praise, “for not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgement, putting down one and lifting up another” (Ps. 75:6-7).

That’s the point that God was communicating to Nebuchadnezzar through his dream. The Babylonian kingdom and all subsequent kingdoms (Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, etc.) would be shattered by a kingdom that would never fall — God’s kingdom. It “shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44).

The one who rules this kingdom is none other than Jesus Christ, for he is “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15; cf. Rev. 19:16). All who trust in him alone as Savior have, by sheer grace, become citizens of God’s eternal kingdom (Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:9-10).

When Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate,” Jesus said to him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). Truth is, God appoints rulers to suit his own sovereign, good purpose. “And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

So don’t sweat this year’s election. Yes, do exercise your rights and responsibilities as an American, but do so knowing that you are foremost a citizen of God’s kingdom, and his kingdom rules over all (Ps. 103:19).

Our election is God’s selection.

He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

So replace worry with worship!

Simplify!

This weekend my wife Ruthie and I are having a yard sale. For weeks we (well, mostly Ruthie) have been clearing out our bedrooms, closets, bookshelves, cabinets, crawlspace and more. It’s amazing how much stuff accumulates over time. Every now and then we have to de-clutter and simplify!

Sometimes we have to take the same approach to our life as a whole. Why? “For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). That was the apostle Paul’s testimony, and we like to think that it’s ours also. But other priorities and pursuits clutter our lives and crowd out Christ.

So de-clutter your life for Christ’s sake!

I say that with the utmost reverence. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul warns us not to be “led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” When that happens, we feel stressed instead of blessed. That’s then we know it’s time to start cutting out activities and commitments that lead to spiritual distraction rather than devotion.

Once we de-clutter our lives, we will experience benefits like becoming less busy and more organized. These are wonderful blessings, but they are secondary. As Don Whitney notes,

We prune activities from our lives, not only to get organized, but also that our devotion to Christ and service for His kingdom will be more fruitful. We simplify, not merely to save time, but to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing Christ. All the reasons we simplify should eventually lead us to Jesus Christ.

I benefited greatly from reading Don Whitney’s biblical and practical book, Simplify Your Spiritual Life: Spiritual Disciplines for the Overwhelmed. This resource was a real encouragement and help to me, so I commend it to you. Just like my wife and I go through our house and consult one another on what we should keep and what needs to go, Don Whitney comes alongside of us as a wise friend and helps us to evaluate and simplify our spiritual life.

My wife and I aren’t making a lot of money on our yard sale, but at least we’re de-cluttering and reorganizing our house. But the return you’ll get on de-cluttering your life and getting your spiritual house in order is priceless. Nothing is more rewarding than a life of simple devotion to Christ! So why not start simplifying your life today?

A Steady Heart

He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

— Psalm 112:7 —

For the last year, my 83-year-old father has been in atrial fibrillation (AFib). Yesterday my dad underwent a electric cardioversion for a second and final time. Our family fasted and prayed the day before the procedure. Hundreds of other friends also sought the Lord on Dad’s behalf.

The procedure was unsuccessful.

As believers, we know this outcome had nothing to do with a lack of God’s power but had everything to do with his purpose.

Physically, Dad’s heart is out of rhythm. But spiritually, it’s as steady as ever.

This was evident in Dad’s email to everyone late yesterday. I share it here because (1) many of you prayed for my dad, and (2) we want your own heart to be strengthened and encouraged in whatever trials you’re facing. So here is the email my father sent out to the family (via his brother Harry) just hours after the cardioversion:

If you would, please pass on my heartfelt gratitude for all those took of their precious time away from other things and prayed for me. Had my heart been restored to normal rhythm, I would be expressing profound thanksgiving. And I want you to know that I am not one whit less thankful—and I really mean it from my heart—even though seemingly nothing was changed. Each and every one has benefitted from having prayed, and I have benefitted more than anyone. I am humbled that so many would pray in a concentrated way, realizing it was truly a labor of love. I am thankful that God brought me through the procedure without incident. I was again blessed with the knowledge of a faithful and loving wife with me all the way…indeed, for an entire extended family being with me. No, all of the prayers have not been in vain at all, for it’s been an opportunity to again express our dependence upon the Lord, to look to Him for the ultimate answer, to rejoice in His perfect will at this time. He openeth, and no man closeth; He closeth and no man openeth. I am thankful for that great truth, for the sovereignty of God. I have been brought closer to Him through all of this, as I’m sure you have been. So thanks be to God, and to all of you. Your work was a good work, and we have yet to see the final outcome, whatever it may be, for this is but a stop on the way. Thank you to each one again, “The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

The moment I finished reading Dad’s email, the words of Psalm 112 came to mind: “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid.”

Perhaps you read that and think, “I wish I could be like that.” The good news is, you can! The psalm begins with this exclamation: “Hallelujah! Happy is the person who fears the Lord, taking great delight in his commands.” Those who rightly fear (revere) God need not fear anything else! “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (2 Tim. 1:7).

As we delight ourselves in the Lord, he makes our hearts strong and steady. Biblically, our heart is the core of who we are, the animating center of all that we do. That’s what truly drives us.

Praise God, my dad’s heart is strong and steady. How’s yours?

Praying Friends

“You also must help us by prayer . . .” (2 Cor. 1:11).

I woke up this morning thinking about my dad and the heart procedure he would undergo this morning. Yesterday our extended family had participated in a day of prayer and fasting for my father, for which we were truly grateful. But with his actual procedure taking place this morning, I wanted more people to pray.

So I logged onto Facebook to get the word out. I saw that my brother had already beaten me to it, so I simply shared his post and reinforced it with one comment: “Friends, please pray for my dad.”

Within the first couple of hours I had already received nearly a hundred responses from my friends. A quick scan of their names reminded me of how much God has blessed me with a wide circle of friends:

• Church friends (past and present)

• High school friends

• College friends

• Seminary friends

• Missionary friends

• Pastor friends

• Professional friends

• Neighbor friends

The list goes on. Eleanor Roosevelt observed, “Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends leave footprints in your heart.”

In some cases, they leave knee prints. Such are my friends that pray for me.

Everyone needs prayer. Even the best of Christians. Take the apostle Paul, for instance. The Bible verse posted at the top came from Paul’s pen. He wrote to fellow believers, “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many” (2 Cor. 1:11).

Paul had many friends who prayed for him because he was always praying for them (see Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:3-14; 2 Tim. 1:3 and others). Because Paul’s prayers are actually the words of Scripture, they serve as a wonderful model for us as we pray for our friends.

But that’s a topic for another time. Today I simply want to thank God for my praying friends.

If you’re reading this post, you’re probably one of them.

I thank God for you!

Be All There

“. . . Look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you . . .” (Ezek. 40:4).

When Scripture speaks, God speaks. That’s why it’s called the Word of God. Nothing in life is more important than God’s revelation to us.

• Scripture is necessary for salvation, because “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

• Scripture is necessary for spiritual vitality, for “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3).

• Scripture is necessary for knowing God’s will. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29).

Since nothing is more vital than God’s Word, it deserves our full attention. “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Heb. 2:1).

So God says: “Look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you” (Ezek. 40:4). Though spoken initially to Ezekiel, these are God’s words to us as well. The activity of the eyes, ears, and heart indicate that we are to be fully engaged with God’s Word.

We’re all familiar with the abbreviation I.O.U. Well, John Piper uses the plural form (I.O.U.S.) as an acronym to ready his heart to receive God’s Word. I have found this to be helpful as well, which is why I’m sharing it with you.

I - “Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain” (Ps. 119:36). Matt Smethurst remarked, “Every day I need to be peeled away from my pathetic preoccupation with self. You do too. Thankfully, God loves to de-magnetize our hearts from what is worthless, and re-magnetize them toward what is priceless, all for the sake of our joy. This is where prayer comes in; we just have to ask.”

O - “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Ps. 119:18). The Bible is like no other book. It’s one thing to read it with the eyes of our head (which we can do with any book), it’s an altogether different thing to read it with the eyes of our heart. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit who produced these words (2 Pet. 1:22) enables believers to comprehend them (1 Cor. 2:10-13). All we have to do is ask.

U - “Unite my heart to fear your name” (Ps. 86:11). Once again, Smethurst notes, “We must pray earnestly for a united heart, lest it drift toward being divided, distracted, and distant from the words of the living God.”

S - “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love” (Ps. 90:14). The problem isn’t just that our hearts are distracted from God; they are also dissatisfied in God. We get fooled into thinking that happiness is found elsewhere. That’s why we need the Lord to satisfy us with his unfailing love. He is our all in all. As C. S. Lewis wrote so eloquently in his book, The Weight of Glory, “He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only.”

So when you open your Bible, be all there, because that’s where God himself meets you — and there’s no better place to be.

One Stick in God's Hand

When my boys were young, they would often battle one another with sticks. Most of the time it was a playful skirmish, but every now and then a real fight broke out.

For centuries, Israel was a divided nation. The Northern Kingdom (called Ephraim, or Joseph, Ephraim’s father) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) were constantly at war. In Ezekiel 37, God compared them to two sticks that were constantly clashing — beating and bruising one another.

But God was about to do something wonderful, and he had his prophet Ezekiel deliver the good news with a simple but effective object lesson:

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.’ Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand. “When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you tell us what you mean by this?’ say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph … and join it to Judah’s stick. I will make them into a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.’ (Ezekiel 37:15-19)

Thanks to the Lord, the people of Israel would no longer be divided. Instead of beating and bruising one another, they would support and serve one another. They would be as one stick in God’s hand. He would be their strength, keeping them together by his grace, and wielding them powerfully for his glory. God’s love for them would impel them to love one another and to make a mighty impact on the rest of the world. “Then the nations will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:28a).

This prefigured God’s greater work among the Jews and Gentiles, uniting them as one “holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). Through the gospel, God has made us into a single stick of wood in his hand!

Right now the U.S.A. is engaged in a real fight over racism - and it cuts both ways. Frankly, to affirm that we are “one nation under God” is a real stretch when we see how many Americans are actually treating one another. Try as it may, the government can never bring about true unity.

But God can, and he does so through the gospel. That truth should be the foundation of all our conversations as believers. Thanks to Christ, we are one stick in God’s hand. As we show God’s power by loving one another, encouraging one another, serving one another, forgiving one another, and by obeying all the other “one another” commands with the Holy Spirit’s help, then all the nations will know that our God is the Lord, whose kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19).

God's Part, Our Part

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

This promise from God was fulfilled, in part, when he brought the people of Israel back from their captivity in Babylon. But just as the promise of their return in Ezekiel 34 flowed into a promise of the coming of Christ, the great Shepherd, so here it transitions into a promise of the Holy Spirit.

Earlier, in Ezekiel 11:18-20, God promised that he would not only cleanse his people from their sin. but he would also “remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” That is to say, God would change the very inclinations of their heart.

As Dane Ortlund notes,

When the Bible speaks of the heart … it is not speaking of our emotional life only, but of the central animating center of all we do. … It is our motivation headquarters. The heart, in biblical terms is not part of who we are but the center of who we are. Our heart is what defines and directs us.

(Gentle and Lowly, page 18)

God causes his people to obey him, not by external coercion, but by internal conversion. Notice again what God says will happen when he puts his Spirit within us: “[I will] cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezek. 36:27). Matthew Henry rightly notes,

If God will do his part according to the promise, we must do ours according to the precept.

God’s promises must drive us to his precepts as our rule, and then his precepts must send us back to his promises for strength, for without his grace we can do nothing.

Don’t miss the significance of those last seven words: “without his grace we can do nothing.” This truth comes straight from the lips of Jesus in John 15:5. Jesus goes on to say in verse 8, ““By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

This proof is the evidence of God’s promise, “you shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezek. 36:28). This really is the essence of happiness. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse into eternity and what it will be like for all those who have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle John writes,

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” (Rev. 21:3-7)

Imagine a football player being told, just before he’s getting ready to take the field, “You are going to win this game, big-time!” How would he respond? Would he just sit on the bench or give at best a lackluster performance, thinking, “Well, I’m going to win anyway, so why bother?”

No, he won’t think that way at all — not if he’s a football player at heart!

The same is true of God’s people. Because God has given us a new heart, we give it all we’ve got, relying on God’s grace to give us the victory. “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Psalm 3:8). that’s God’s part. To trust God and obey him is our part. That’s how we prove that we are his people.

And that’s the greatest privilege and joy there is.

Another Week Has Gone

Last Sunday I was talking with a couple who have several children yet always seem to “have their act together” on Sunday morning. The mom explained to me that she lays out her children’s clothes on Saturday evening and works with her husband to make sure that they are “good to go” on Sunday morning.

I commended them for this routine, saying that in addition to avoiding frenetic, last-minute preparations on Sunday morning, it helps the family to get into a mindset for worship on Saturday evening. My parents did the same thing, as did my wife and I when our children were young.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 says, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.” That is to say, we are not to approach worship haphazardly, but whole-heartedly.

Ken Ramey rightly warns,

When you fail to plan ahead, Sunday morning ends up becoming a chaotic crisis, and by the time you get to church, you are frustrated and frazzled and your heart is in no condition to receive the Word. But when you plan well and are able to arrive in a relaxed, leisurely way, you will be in a much more receptive frame of mind.

To help us to prepare well for Sunday worship, Ken Ramey offers some practical suggestions that are summarized well by Tim Challies, which you can read by clicking here.

The purpose of this post is to aid you in such preparations with a Saturday evening prayer. This comes from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions. Because they were written a few centuries ago, the language of these prayers is a bit antiquated, like the King James Version of the Bible. But, as one pastor-friend of mine put it, “When used slowly, for meditation and prayer, these [prayers] have often been used by God’s Spirit to kindle my dry heart.”

So here is a prayer that I trust will end your week on a worshipful note in anticipation of the Lord’s Day.

LORD’S DAY EVE

GOD OF THE PASSING HOUR,

Another week has gone and I have been preserved in my going out, in my coming in.

Thine has been the vigilance that has turned threatened evils aside;

Thine the supplies that have nourished me;

Thine the comforts that have indulged me;

Thine the relations and friends that have delighted me;

Thine the means of grace which have edified me;

Thine the Book, which, amidst all my enjoyments, has told me that this is not my rest, that in all successes one thing alone is needful, to love my Savior.

Nothing can equal the number of thy mercies but my imperfections and sins.

These, O God, I will neither conceal nor palliate, but confess with a broken heart.

In what condition would secret reviews of my life leave me were it not for the assurance that with thee there is plenteous redemption, that thou art a forgiving God, that thou mayest be feared!

While I hope for pardon though the blood of the cross,

I pray to be clothed with humility,

to be quickened in thy way,

to be more devoted to thee,

to keep the end of my life in view,

to be cured of folly of delay and indecision,

to know how frail I am,

to number my days and apply my heart unto wisdom.

Amen.

God's Word and White Noise

During the summer months, my wife and I have had multiple fans blowing in our bedroom throughout the night. We have a ceiling fan above us, an oscillating fan near my side of the bed, and another fan next to the window on Ruthie’s side of the bed.

At least we know what it’s like to be surrounded by fans. (Sorry for the bad pun, but I couldn’t resist.)

Now that summer is past and the weather is cooling, it makes sense to stop using the fans. But we’re having. hard time doing so. The reason has less to do with temperature and more about the white noise. As one fan enthusiast points out,

white noise essentially works to mask the difference between background sounds and ‘peak’ sounds (such as an ambulance siren or a door slamming) to maintain more consistency in your environment.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, “white noise creates a constant ambient sound that reduces disturbances … that would [otherwise] be disruptive….”

This brings to mind a conversation I had with my teenage son a number of years ago. I asked him what it was like to have me as both his pastor and his parent, specifically as it concerned my teaching him God’s Word. He said, “To be honest, I have to guard against it sounding like white noise. The same voice I hear on Sunday is the same one I hear all throughout the week.”

Hearing God’s Word as white noise in that sense poses a danger in that we can become “dull of hearing” (Heb. 5:11) and spiritually “sluggish” (Heb. 6:12). That’s a condition we want to avoid because it will debilitate us, and, if left unchecked, will destroy us.

But I think that comparing God’s Word to white noise can be used positively in this sense: The constant hum of God’s holy word in our lives reduces the disruptive sounds that would otherwise disturb us.

The psalmist said, “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people” (Ps. 85:8). The word of God has a comforting effect on his people. The more we listen to it, the more it soothes and stabilizes us. “Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble” (Ps. 119:165).

How easy it is for us to get rattled, anxious or unsettled by the disruptive sounds of daily life. Yet as we tune into God’s Word every day, we experience for ourselves the sweet, soul-calming truth of Isaiah 26:3: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Work While It Is Day

“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4). So said Jesus to his followers before healing the blind man.

Even as the eternal Son of God, Jesus had a limited time on earth to finish the work that his Father had given him.

The same is true of us. In his book, The Conviction to Lead, Albert Mohler writes,

If we had limitless time, we would lack any awareness of urgency. We would have no incentive to prioritize. Mortality is not only the great equalizer, it is the great motivator. Time and opportunities are precious and perishable.

If we forget this, we lose all perspective. And perspective is essential to leadership.

To remind himself of his own mortality, Mohler keeps a model of a human skull on the corner of his desk. He quips, “You probably do not have a skull on your desk, but you had better have one in your imagination.”

Jesus plants such an image in the minds of his disciples when he exhorts them to “work while it is day.” Typically, this is when work gets done. “Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening” (Psalm 104:23). So Jesus uses the “day” as a synonym for a person’s lifetime, and “night” as a reference to his death. The Puritan commentator Mathew Henry wrote,

The consideration of our death … should quicken us to improve all the opportunities of life.

In this, Jesus is our supreme example. As his earthly mission was about to culminate in his work on the cross, Jesus testified to the Father, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).

Now Jesus calls on us as his followers to do the same. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Rom. 12:11). We need to hear this exhortation afresh in a culture where the average person spends two and a half hours per day on social media.

In his helpful book Do More Better, Tim Challies defines productivity as “effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God.” I have this definition posted right on my bulletin board next to my desk as a constant reminder of what true diligence entails. Perhaps I should put a skull on my desk as well!

Whatever our vocation, our work in the world is to enlighten it. “You are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Eph. 5:8-9). “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

Lord Jesus, thank you for finishing the work that the Father gave you to do. In doing so, you saved us and also set a perfect example for us. Please help us to leverage the time and opportunities that you have given us this day to be a blessing to others and to bring glory to you. We pray this in your name. Amen.

Putting Life's Pieces in Place

My heart went out to the young man sitting across the table from me. We had been meeting for several weeks. Over that time I had seen in him grow more into the man God had created and called him to be. The more my friend studies the word of God, the more he strives to be a man of God.

But as he thought about his various roles and responsibilities, particularly as a husband and father, he seemed a bit overwhelmed by how far he has yet to go.

I sought to encourage him, first by telling him the progress I had already seen in him. But then I shifted from looking back to looking ahead, saying, “You’re halfway there because you’ve already got the right picture in place!”

Immediately I thought of the thousand-piece puzzle my wife and I had put together over our vacation this past summer. As you can see from the picture below, it was a slow start.

As the hours and days wore on, we wondered if we would ever be able to put all these pieces together!

But the key to our success was the picture on the puzzle box cover. We looked at that picture countless times as we put the puzzle together. It showed us where all the pieces needed to go and how beautiful the puzzle would be once it was finished.

That’s how Scripture functions in the life of the Christian. Paul told Timothy, the young man he was mentoring, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).

The ancient Greek word for “pattern” (hypotypōsis) referred to an artist’s sketch, a model representation which set the standard for the finished work.

Ultimately, sanctification is God’s work. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 2:10 NLT). Because God always finishes what he starts, Paul could confidently declare to all Christians, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).

This promise should promote not passivity on our part, but rather proactivity and perseverance. That’s why Scripture says, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Phil. 2:12-13 NLT).

By the time my wife and I left for home, our puzzle was complete. What joy and satisfaction it brought!

Imagine what it will be like when it’s time to leave for our heavenly home, and God’s masterpiece is complete. May our anticipation of that day give us all the motivation we need this day to put a few more pieces into place.

Highways of the Heart

Thousands of years before Rascal Flatts ever sang “Life is a highway,” another group, “the Sons of Korah” sang about the highways of the heart, shouting to the Lord,

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:4-5)

To appreciate these lyrics, we must first understand the context. “Zion” was the name of the hill on which the city of Jerusalem sat, so it became a synonym for Jerusalem itself and, most importantly, the dwelling place of God. Thus the psalm begins, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” (Psalm 84:1).

In verses 2-3, the psalmist expresses his own longing to be in the place where God is worshiped, noting that even the little birds instinctively make their nests and raise their young in the nooks of God’s house!

Such is the spirit of those who love to worship God! In their hearts “are the highways to Zion” (Ps. 84:5). In ancient times, many worshipers would travel for days on hot, dusty roads, to get to the temple in Jerusalem. The psalmist salutes these dedicated saints in verses 6-7, saying,

“As they go through the Valley of Baca [“Weeping”] they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.”

That is to say, when the way grows hot and weary, they dig little pits to receive rainwater for their refreshment. They go “from strength to strength,” finding the nourishment they need until they can get to God’s house.

For them it’s not about the building; it’s about the greatness of the God who is worshiped there! They’ll do whatever it takes to be in God’s presence with his people. Why? Because they know and testify to God,

“A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gate-keeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

For the Lord God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Psalm 84:10-11 NLT).

The psalmist ends on a high note, exclaiming, “O Lord of hosts, blessed [happy, content, joyful] is the one who trusts in you!” (Psalm 84:12).

Life is a highway, and so is your heart. Where is it taking you throughout the week and on any given Sunday?

Beauty Isn't Boring

If you have ever beheld a magnificent sunrise or sunset, a majestic mountain range, or brilliant foliage gracing a landscape, you know how mesmerizing such beauty can be.

Beauty isn’t boring!

This thought dominated my mind as I read the end of John 6 this morning. After Jesus fed the five thousand, “many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the wonderful words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66-69)

Whereas the vast majority of the people that Jesus fed were interested only in physical bread rather than in Jesus, the Bread of Life, Peter and the other apostles (except Judas) had come to recognize Jesus’ true identity and worth. For them there was no turning back. Jesus alone had the “wonderful words of eternal life.”

That phrase brought the words of an old hymn to mind:

Sing them over again to me,

Wonderful words of life!

Let me more of their beauty see,

Wonderful words of life!

Beauty isn’t boring! We always want to see more of it! That’s why we have a hard time tearing ourselves away from a stunning landscape.

Or consider the way of a man with a woman, especially on their wedding day. He is not content with one look, or even two or three looks. The fact is, he can’t take his eyes off her. Having seen her beauty, he craves more of it. “Let me more of her beauty see!” He longs to know her intimately.

The same is true spiritually when we come to know Jesus for who he really is — “the Holy One of God” and the Savior of all who believe.

True believers never move beyond the gospel but only more deeply into it.

Why?

Because beauty is never boring.