June 9, 2020 -- John 1:47-49 -- From misunderstanding to right standing

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

John 1:47-49 English Standard Version

What will it take for you to believe Jesus is the promised one of God? Nathanael was a cynic. He could not imagine anything good would come out of Nazareth—the village where Jesus grew up. Nathanael had a particular preconceived notion of Who God should be, How He should act.

John’s Gospel is particularly good at showing us our foibles. There is a device called the Johannine misunderstanding which moves the Gospel narrative along. People listening to Jesus would not understand a particular point or saying of Jesus. As Jesus explained it both His followers then and the readers today would understand what Jesus is teaching.

Nathanael asked: “How do you know me? This is classic misunderstanding. As readers of John’s Gospel we know Jesus made all things, nothing was made that has been made without him. Nathanael is Jesus’ own handiwork. Nathanael is so precious to the Shepherd of Israel that He became incarnate in order to seek and save him.

We are so like Nathanael. After being confronted with a point of the Good News we have questions for the God of Glory. Easily we ask God: “How do YOU know ME? We ask this of Him Who created us. We borrow breathe from His creation in order to use the mouth He has formed in us in order to ask Him this impudent question! Isn’t that rich? The tremendous majestic loving-kindness of the Savior is such that He stoops to our weakness and reveals Himself, answers our questions and is patient with us not wanting that any appointed to life should perish.

If you are curious about Jesus—ask your questions. Find a Christian friend whose walk with God you respect and explore Who Jesus Is. Ask what the Bible means in this passage or that place? Our very foibles and questions are being used by God our Father to show the depths of His love revealed in Jesus Christ making such things known by the powerful presence of the Spirit Who delights to emphasize the beautiful work of Jesus.

Oh God our Father, what is a man that You are mindful of him? What is a woman that You, Patient King of Heaven and Earth, should deign to hear and answer her perturbed questioning? Who is like You Oh God?! There is none in the vast expanses of space, nor in the heavens, nor on the earth nor under the earth that can possibly compare with You in magnificence, in loving-kindness, in creative splendor. As You, Spirit of Truth knock down our arguments and answer the questions of our souls, may we with zeal and excited wonder invite friends and neighbours, family and coworkers to taste and see the goodness of God which is most perfectly revealed in Jesus the Radiant One. Amen.

If you have a minute and 50 seconds, enjoy this beautiful version of “Crown Him with Many Crowns”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7WdUonorUA&list=RDbjgPTZn4nSY&index=3

June 8, 2020 -- John 1:40-42 -- Renamed by Jesus

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

John 1:40-42 English Standard Version

How well do you need to know Jesus before you tell someone else about Jesus? Some of us hesitate to tell others about Jesus because “we don’t know enough”; other times we might stop ourselves because we wonder “what will the other person think?” Even if we have been Christians for a long, long time we are afraid we’ll face a question we don’t know. Andrew had no such hesitation. He’d met Jesus! He wanted his brother Simon to meet Jesus as well. He had confidence that Jesus would convince his brother of all he needed to know. Andrew was convinced meeting Jesus was enough. What faith he had!

Jesus, when he met Simon, renames Simon. That is powerful. My ESV Study Bible has this footnote: “When God assigns a new name, He is redefining the person and his destiny”. Simon name means “listen” or “hearing”. It is appropriate, he was prepared to hear his brother Andrew. He was open-hearted to the things of God. When Jesus renamed Simon and gave him the name Peter. Jesus did indeed tell him something of what he would become as His faithful follower.

Peter was not rock solid right away. He was the disciple that spoke before he thought. Think of Jesus’ transfiguration, where He became brilliant with glory and Peter blurted out something like “Let’s build tents and live here forever” and the editorial given by the Spirit was “because he did not know what to say for they were terrified” (Mark 9:5-6). He is also the disciple who was more like the sea foaming up shame when he betrayed Jesus. The man on his own was unstable. The man Simon when taken hold of by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Spirit of God was rock-solid Peter.

Peter was the disciple who preached the first Pentecost, Spirit-filled sermon (Acts 2:14ff). Even after that he still has times he wavers and does not show himself to be a rock (think of Galatians 2:11-14 where Paul had to admonish Peter). Yet Jesus’ words prove true, over and over again. Peter has changed from the inside out. It is the glorious impact of Jesus on our lives. His glory, His power, His Spirit shine through us. We are not perfect on this side of heaven, but the beauty and changes wrought in Jesus Christ are taking hold of us. Anyone who knew us before can only credit this change, any positive change in us, to the power of the Spirit of God. In this way, God always receives the glory for whatever correction and glory comes upon us.

Think of what you were before you met Jesus. Perhaps you were John the user. But the name itself has the root meaning: God has been gracious. When Jesus grabs hold of you, that name is proved true. Maybe your name is Ann—Beautiful or Favor; but people hear your gossipy words and think of you unfavorably. When Jesus takes hold of you by His Word and Spirit your beauty is restored and you are favored by Him. The Father in heaven has sent Jesus to take people who were dead in sin and make them alive, responsive to the life that is ours in Christ by the powerful presence of the Spirit. The Spirit moves us by our words and our changed living to be powerful witnesses to the things of God.

Christ Jesus Your glory fills the skies, You are the Sun of Righteousness and in You all creatures and all of creation are changed. Blessed Jesus by Your Word and Spirit let the truth of Who You Are show through every word and action. Forgive us for the times we fall back into our old sinful patterns. Thank You, Spirit of God, for the persistent and glorious gift of Jesus’ forgiveness which You apply to our hearts. Father in heaven, thank You for the love and justice, the righteousness and mercy that meet at the cross of Jesus, Your Son, our Savior. Thank You for Your loving-kindness that is so relentless that You will in Your electing love bring lost and ruined sinners to Yourself, renaming us much-loved sons and daughters!

Today’s prayer opens with phrases from the beautiful hymn “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies”; I have linked it below. If you link to YouTube page, you’ll see the words there as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjgPTZn4nSY

June 5, 2020 -- John 1:27 -- Who do I compare myself to?

…he who comes after me,

the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to unite.

John 1:27 English Standard Version

This is John the Baptist’s statement when he was asked if he was the Christ, the promised Messiah. Though John was preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry and calling people to repentance, he had a deep awareness of his own place. Gifted as he was by the Spirit, popular with the people of Jerusalem, still John the Baptist was very humble.

One challenge for us all, as Christians, is this: do we understand the high holiness of God and our place before Him? Karl Graustein quotes Christian author Randy Alcorn and uses his illustration, startling illustration actually, to underline the glorious holiness of God and His infinite kindness.

I’d imagined the distance between Dodd (a child molester and murderer) and me as the

difference between the South and North Poles. But when you consider God’s viewpoint

from light-years away, that distance is negligible. In my standing before a holy God apart

from Christ…I am Dodd…Unless we come to grips with the fact that we’re of precisely the

same stock—fallen humanity—as Dodd and Hitler and Stalin, we’ll never appreciate God’s

grace.

Karl Graustein Growing Up Christian Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing 2005 page 55

When we are aware of our need for a Savior, aware of how drenched in sin and guilt we were, we begin to grasp the depths of the mercy, love and kindness of God. When we can say with John, I’m not even worthy to take off His shoes, yet He knows me, gave Himself up for me, then our souls begin to soar and sing in praise of the glorious Name of Jesus. When we realize our standing before God, we treat others with greater kindness and patience. When we realize how utterly patient God our Father is with us, then we have an expanded capacity to call others to His banqueting table, longing that they should know the tremendous joy of the LORD.

O LORD, our Lord how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!

How wide Your love, great Your mercy, and magnificent Your Fatherly compassions.

What are we? We’re puny creatures of the earth, clinging to the dust,

yet You care for us; You have crowned us with the glory of Jesus Christ!

You have given us the capacity to know You and by Your Spirit respond to You!

Assist us, Spirit of God, to give full expression to the praises of our heart.

Assist us, Spirit of God, to tell others of all the wonderful deeds of God’s salvation!

Amen.

June 3, 2020 -- John 1:11-12 -- Children overcoming doubt

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name,

he gave the right to be come children of God…

John 1:11 English Standard Version

Why did His own people not receive Jesus? They were darkened in their sin and hardened in unbelief. This resulted in the Good News of God’s love going both to the Jewish people and going far and wide beyond the Jewish people to all the people of the world. How is it that anyone can receive Jesus as the Captain of their salvation?

It is the work of the Spirit—Jesus explains this to Nicodemus in John 3:8—the Spirit is like the wind in that the wind blows where it will. So the Spirit goes to the person He will bless.

Witnesses, strengthened and sent by the Spirit, go to the men and women determined by this same Holy Spirit as those who are being called from death to life.

Dear fellow believers, remember how it was hard to accept that God the Holy One of Heaven and Earth, should be prepared to love you and in Christ forgive your wickedness? There are people all around you who are locked in a cycle of self-talk that bars them from hearing good news. Or, having started to believe this good news feel beaten down by doubts, plagued by the fear that their sins are too great, too much for God to conquer. They need faithful, persistent witnesses—loving mentors and faithful teachers who point out the fact that becoming children of God does not rest on one’s own sense of feeling forgiven.

Too often people don’t feel forgiven. Feelings are deceptive. Feelings are easily influenced. Do you really believe major corporations spend hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising without any hope of return? They know people are easily influenced to buy products or services they do not need. When we read a verse which holds such beautiful hope in Christ, we are compelled to go and invite others to have the same assurance we do—assurance that is based on the rock-solid word of God.

If our feelings agree, thanks be to God. If our feelings fluctuate, wavering towards doubt and fear, we turn to the word of God and pray for the testimony (that is, the witness of the Holy Spirit) to remind us we are God’s children not by human design or will, but by the right given us by God our faithful Father. If those around us are struggling with their own sense of worthlessness and inadequacy, remind them it is God the Faithful Father Who has chosen His children in love. Feelings will betray us. The Word is given as the black and white written proof of God’s love. As you present this good news, let the Spirit of God and the word of God do the convincing. Pray for the person you are regularly speaking with that God’s Word and Spirit will accomplish the work to which you were sent to bear witness.

Blessed are You, God of Persistent love and faithfulness. Thank You for sending Jesus to His Own. Thank You for the Spirit Who convinces hearts of sin and the victory of Jesus Christ over all our sin. Thank You, Triune God, for the privilege we have of bearing witness to Your great and glorious work of salvation. Rule in our hearts and break down any resistance to Your reign so that in us You are all in all. Jesus, King and the Captain of Salvation, work in us as soldiers of the cross so that the message of Your victory will reach those who You are calling to be Your people. Give us the persistence of well-disciplined soldiers to remain at our posts even when the conflict is intense and comes at great cost. To Your Name, Jesus, be the honour and praise so that the Father’s love will reach all nations by the powerful work of the Spirit. Amen.

June 2, 2020 -- John 1:6-7 -- Bearing Witness to Jesus the Light of Life

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.

He came as a witness to bear witness about the Light,

that all might believe through him.

John 1:6-7 English Standard Version

The arrangement of the words in our reading today is a bit odd for us. Is the thought that John, sent by God the Father, is bearing witness to the Light so that all might believe in John? No. Through John’s witness all might believe in Jesus Christ, Who is the Light of the World and in Whom is the Light of Life.

Bearing witness to Jesus Christ comes at a cost. John is hounded by the religious leaders of his day for speaking of Jesus. The Jewish leaders, called the Pharisees and Sadducees, refused to believe in Jesus. They stirred up the people against Jesus. Their eyes were shut tight against the glorious testimony. In fact, the Greek word for testimony is the root for our word martyr. When one bears testimony, one must be prepared to suffer, perhaps even to go to death for this belief in Jesus.

These two short verses make huge claims. God is in charge. He directs men’s lives. He, the Father, sends the Light, Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we are lost in darkness. All people must answer four basic questions: How is everything made? Is there a universal moral law? Why is there evil? What is the purpose of my life? Our life’s philosophy, whatever it is, must support the answer to these questions. Without a cohesive answer to these questions lives are thrown into confusion and such lives express the disorder of the darkness which dominate them.

As the Gospel of John unfolds we shall see the Light and realize, by the Spirit’s instruction, how Jesus is the Light of Life. At the start of the Gospel the basic questions are answered this way:

God made all things through Jesus Christ.

He, Who made all things, has the right to direct all things and people by His laws.

There is evil because people have shut their eyes against the perfect law of God.

The purpose of our lives is to open our eyes and seeing Jesus, the Light of Life, to follow Him.

As we explore the Gospel of John these answers will become more nuanced and the Truth of Jesus as the Light of Life will be revealed and the witness will be taken up by many more people. It is the torch of witness which is to be taken up now by all who have seen Jesus by faith and believe in His Name. And the Gospel will show us believing in Jesus, no matter what the consequences which are hurled against by the people of this world (including sometimes our own family!) or the rulers of this world, or the powers of darkness, nothing can snatch us out of our Father’s Hand (John 10). There is no greater adventure and blessing than knowing our life’s purpose in serving God.

Who is a God like You? You are patient and faithful with Your wayward people. Who is a Great King like You, Jesus the Blessed?! Sacrificing Himself so that He would redeem a people for His Own. Who is like You, Spirit of Truth? You are ever directing us into the deep, deep, love of Jesus. Help us, Spirit of Comfort, those who have wandered far, to find our way back to Jesus the True Shepherd of our souls. Triune God of Glory, assist us to proclaim Your renown. Amen.

June 1, 2020 -- John 1:1-3 -- God: Eternal, Creative, Glorious

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life…

John 1:1-4a English Standard Version

Listening to a speaker recently I heard this startling statement: if you uncoiled all the DNA in your body, placed it end to end, you’d be able to stretch it to the moon and back 6,000 times. Yes, you read that right, 6,000 times. I had to double check that myself! That is 2+ billion km of DNA you have tucked away in your body. Just one cell’s worth of DNA is 6 feet ( or 1.8 m) long...granted it is microscopically thin.

Before anything was created, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit lived in perfect community and love. The Triune God is eternal, outside of time and creation. When the Glorious Lord of Life decided to make life it was not the result of a Big Bang. I wonder, if a printing press exploded, would you get a perfectly bound novel out of that? Of course not! It is crazy when you put it like that, right?! Neither are we the result of random explosion and chance!

So the Lord of creation order spoke creation into existence. He is the Author of life. DNA is a language. It is a four letter language (while that seems hard to grasp, think of Morse Code, it is a language with five elements, a dot or a dash and the length of each element determines the letter it signifies).

DNA is more complex than any computer code ever devised. It can be read forward and backwards, up and down. From what the scientists can determine how it is folded matters as well because of all the ways and directions DNA can be read and used to determine the functions of a cell. This is not random. It is the evidence of our Creator’s beautiful work.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because Scripture teaches us we are significant to God. He spoke us into existence. He made us and He sustains all of creation. We do not need to be climate-change frightened. From the beginning of creation to the end He determines for it, the LORD our God will maintain the earth and the cosmos. We have moral laws and order not by government fiat or popular vote. What is right and true is set for us by the Lord Who made all and appoints order for creation.

The fact that the Gospel of John begins with the statement of creation shows us that as glorious and wondrous as the original creation is, so magnificent and wondrous is our being made new in Jesus Christ. It is God’s powerful, creative act which brings us to salvation. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to respond to the wondrous invitation of the LORD. During these Covid times, pick up your bible. Read. God is giving you the time to know Him better and marvel at the vast splendors of creation and the intricacies He has woven into our bodies. In all of these He is declaring He is near. He has provided the way of salvation. Seek Him while He may yet be found.

It is beautiful to consider, O God our Creator, the fact that we are not cosmic orphans, or Big Bang cast-offs with no purpose or value. What a treasure Your testimonies are. Lord of Life, by Your Spirit make the Bible ever more precious to us. Help us to use these times of confusion and upheaval to study the Bible and to know Jesus Christ, not as a mere figure of long-ago history, but as the Lord of Life Who continues to care for us and sustain us each day. May the story of Jesus’ saving work break over our heads and hearts as magnificent and precious truth which can satisfy our hungry, longing souls. Amen.

As I was writing this today, I was listening to this organ recital. It is so moving. May you be blessed as you listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6BO-mjQJas

May 31, 2020 -- Psalm 119:176 -- Final Nugget of Truth

I have gone astray like a lost sheep;

seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 119:176 English Standard Version

Both J. R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis are famous Christian writers of acclaimed fiction. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is much loved and the movies based on the books were released one a year starting in Dec. 2001 starting with “Fellowship of the Ring”. C.S. Lewis’ work “The Chronicles of Narnia” have been best sellers for seventy years, having been first published in 1950. “The Chronicles of Narnia” have been movies, stage plays and radio dramas. I thoroughly enjoy both series. There is, however, a significant difference between them—and I would suggest it is the reason why Tolkien’s works translate so readily onto the big screen and Lewis’ work does not.

Tolkien’s books always have a main character who is the hero. Lewis’ books always have Aslan, the Lion which represents Jesus, as the hero. The telling difference reveals why the one series so readily appeals to our world and its appetites. Do we save ourselves? Do we rescue ourselves? Tolkien’s works seems to answer resoundingly yes! Or do we always need a Savior to rescue us? Lewis would declare always! Yes! Lewis’ works pointed to the fact we always need a Savior—one who is greater than us, who has perfect clarity of purpose. Aslan is shown as the powerful one who saves His people and the creatures and world from every mess they themselves created and completely saves from all the complicated, tangled circumstances of existence.

Christians know Jesus is the Shepherd of our souls. Jesus is the Great Shepherd Who goes after lost sheep. Whenever we think to ourselves “I got this” we are already wandering from the pathway of truth and safety which is found only in our Good Shepherd.

Perhaps Psalm 119 is not so famous as Psalm 23 because Psalm 119 more nakedly exposes our failings. Psalm 119 shows us we are not passive in the face of evil and wrong nor are we basically good—we are wayward sheep who have tasted the green grass of restoration and refreshing streams and with full bellies are prepared to wander away from the Source of All Good.

And Psalm 119 exposes the Greatness of our Shepherd-King, Jesus. By His blood He has provided our Rescue. By His Spirit He is ever with us, teaching us His Word and directing us in the way of truth, the way of His commandments. By His Word and Spirit Jesus reminds us we have a Father in heaven Who has stopped at nothing to effect our rescue and has given us the blessedness of those who are treated as if we are blameless and wholeheartedly obedient (see verse 1 & 2).

Blessed are You, Father of love. Blessed are You, Jesus our Shepherd-King. Blessed are You, Spirit of all Truth, our Rescuer Who applies the salvation of Jesus to every part of our lives and circumstances. Blessed are You, Triune God forever excellent and praise-worthy, for You are Splendid in all Your perfections, You reveal Your glory in Your salvation and by Your rescue of ruined sinners, You are the Desire of all nations, the deepest longing of our souls. Captain of Salvation, lead us in the way of your victorious commandments until that great and glorious day when You are fully revealed, there is a new heaven and a new earth and all wandering has ceased. You are our hearts’ home. Amen.

May 30, 2020 -- Psalm 119:175 -- Adventures in Praise

Let my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me.

Psalm 119:175 English Standard Version

Believe it or not, this is the second last verse of the entire Psalm. Here King David is summarizing his themes and drawing all the strands of this epic poem all together. The Hebrew meaning of the word “soul” includes: life, longings, soul and desires. Here the Psalmist is praying for God to sustain his soul and life, his being and person according to the rules which the LORD our Maker has declared fitting for all people..

Not that long ago a man I used to meet with regularly said, “Richard, I know the word of God says” (here the warning bells in my heart starting sounding alarms). He went on to say he was aware that the LORD’s word tells us not to be unequally yoked, that is, a Christian should only date a Christian. Non-Christians are off limits because they do not have the same goals, the same soul desires as the Christian. He felt that his circumstances were unusual and therefore he should not have to obey that rule. That did not end well for him nor for his former girlfriend.

Our King is also our Creator. He knows how we are made because He made us. He knows our weaknesses. He knows how easily we are swayed from right pathways. King David is well aware of this as well. He is appealing to God for a soul that is sustained in joyful obedience. He is asking for a mind that meditates on the goodness of God so that the ways of the LORD which have been proven right and true will be for him the holy highway of his heart.

David failed so many times and in so many ways. The psalms of the bible are filled with confessions and repentance—songs where David recognized his wrong-doing, admitted it and turned from it. Such confessions inevitably led him to the throne room of God’s grace and mercy. David would break into praise because of the never-failing kindness of the LORD.

LORD of Life we join with the soldier saints of the ages who have experienced Your goodness and love and we praise You. Indeed, by Your Spirit instill in us a conscience that is fine-tuned to all that is right and holy. Spirit of all Help, direct us so that we will be quick to recognize our sins and prepared to turn from them and seek the forgiveness of our Father in heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus for Your sacrifice which makes such forgiveness possible and available. Triune and Glorious God, great is the adventure of and joy in serving You. Amen.

May 29, 2020 -- Psalm 119:174 -- The Longing of our Hearts

I long for your salvation, O LORD,

and your law is my delight.

Psalm 119:174 English Standard Version

Yesterday I was teaching a bible study and it was hot. Already by 9 AM there was that sweaty, clammy feeling you get when the temperature and humidity are racing each other upwards. In the distance there was the bell and jangling sound of an ice cream truck. One of the men in the study almost started physically drooling. He summed up what the other guys there were all thinking: “I really want an ice cream cone”. Everyone laughed when the jangling noise was cut short and someone answered his cell phone. His ring tone was set to the sound of bells of an ice cream truck!

What is it you long for? The Psalmist has spent the last 173 verses training his longings for the salvation of the Covenant-Keeping God. The Psalmist is imagining the joy of knowing sin is completely vanquished so that nothing hinders complete communion with the Living God. The Psalmist is focusing on the Word of God and His law so that there will be nothing to distract him from seeking God in all things in every part of his life.

Two days ago I was in my study. Lunch was a long distant memory as I was working on a project. Suddenly I caught the scent of cooking sausages. My wife was busy making supper and the aroma of it caught my nose and my anticipation of a delicious meal whipped up my appetite.

The Spirit of God applies the word of God to our mind and heart and we catch a glimpse of Jesus. We grow in our understanding of the fullness of our salvation in His glorious Name. And our souls swell with the anticipation of unfettered joy that will be ours in His presence. The bible says that Christians are the aroma of Christ to other believers. Seeing other Christians increases our awareness of the nearness of Jesus. We long for Him intensely. The songs in our hearts are directed to Him. The prayers of our life gain intensity as we more fully grasp the abundance of salvation blessings given us by our Father in heaven.

Faithful God of our Salvation, blessed are You and worthy of praise. Living Jesus, Desire of all Nations, we long for the new heavens and the new earth when we shall fully, eternally delight in Who You Are. Spirit of Truth direct us as believers in the richness of this salvation so that sin will be exposed as the cheap poison it is so that we will by-pass it in order to more fully take hold of the wonders, the adventure, the splendors of the salvation of the LORD our God. Increase our expectant desire and ardent longing for Your salvation, O God of Radiant Beauty. Amen.

May 27, 2020 -- Psalm 119:173 -- Divine Help

Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

Psalm 119:173 English Standard Version

It is helpful to know that precepts are general rules given to guide or regulate good behaviour.

Last night our Men’s Bible Study listened to a teaching from Paul Tripp. As he taught from the book of Jonah he noted that the place where spiritual warfare is at its closest is in our own hearts and minds. We all want comfort rather than denying ourselves in obedience to the LORD. It is worth chewing on and considering. Still thinking about this, I realized today’s text is a wonderful complement to that teaching.

In his commentary on this verse, Matthew Henry observed: "I have chosen thy precepts. I took them for my rule, not because I knew no other, but because, upon trial, I knew no better." (As quoted in BibleWorks10). While the precepts of God are always given so that our thoughts and behaviours are guided in the most excellent pathways we are inclined to try another way. I know from experience how often I want a shortcut—but as Henry so concisely pointed out, there is no better way.

The precepts of God yield holy results.

The precepts of God guide us through the complications and landmines of our lives.

The precepts of God are always valid in every circumstance for every person in every time.

The precepts of God have been tested through-out the generations as His children seek to obey Him.

The precepts of God allow us to live in society harmoniously.

We need the hand of the Living God to help us to walk in His precepts. Though we know He has proven His ways to be perfect and true, we buck against them. Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ such help has been given. Jesus lived the precepts of God perfectly. Jesus, the Lamb of God, voluntarily took the punishment of God against our sins upon Himself so that we can be called the righteous of God. What mercy and love. What a glorious King. What a tremendous answer to this psalmist’s prayer. Help did arrive. Hope is available to all who call on the Name of Jesus.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, attend to my cry

from the ends of the earth I call out to You when my heart is overwhelmed.

Blessed Father, thank You for hearing such cries for mercy and answering in Jesus.

Spirit of Comfort, assist us to walk in the will and precepts of God, in the full assurance that our sins are forgiven by the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

May 25, 2020 -- Psalm 119:172 -- Crescendoing praise

My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right.

Psalm 119:172 English Standard Version

What a radical calling we have as followers of Jesus Christ! We see in His Word His justice and perfections and through life experiences know His great faithfulness. As Christians we stand in direct opposition to the world that surrounds us. We sing, literally, we answer back to God our praise and wonder. We cannot help ourselves we must shout and sing.

There are many memorial tributes to Ravi Zacharias as this internationally renowned Christian-speaker and apologist for the faith died on May 19, 2020. There are many things I appreciated about Zacharias, one being his uncanny ability to quote exactly the right poet or musician, philosopher or mathematician to make his point. One memorial tribute video montage had Zacharias defending the Christian’s awe of our Maker. He noted all of us will worship. Christians worship the God Who reveals Himself in Scripture and in Creation. The atheist worships chance. He quoted Turner to make his point about the atheist’s worship.

“If chance be the Father of all flesh,
Disaster is his rainbow in the sky,
And when you hear
State of Emergency!
Sniper Kills Ten!
Troops on Rampage!
Whites go Looting!
Bomb Blasts School!
It is but the sound of man worshiping his maker.”
― Steve Turner, Poems

The atheist, the worshipers of chance worshipers of the cruel domination of the deified man, faces constant upheaval. The ideal of a man-made utopia is torn apart by every inhumane act and the incontrovertible evidence that people and our circumstances and our living conditions are not improving. Political parties are more polarized and fractured than ever. Peace treaties are made and broken. There is no basic goodness in the human spirit.

The life lived in praise to the LORD of Angel Armies and such life which is structured according to His right commandments is one that is constantly confirmed in the magnificence of our God. This world and universe is wearing out like a garment. The cumulative effects of the Fall and sin are evident all around us. Equally clear and backlit in glory over against all this is the tremendous kindness of our God. He Who reaches down into time and the circumstances of our lives in order to bring healing and hope by the cross of Jesus. He Who by His Spirit living within us shows us the grand riches given us and guarded in us and for us by this same Spirit so that the enemy cannot snatch glory from our clumsy grasp. It is joy to praise Him. It is our crowning hope to honour Him in our words and thoughts, in our actions and planning.

With the hymn-writer of old we give full throated praise to You, Immortal, Invisible, God-only wise! Every reflection on Your excellencies and majesty cause us to search out, asking of ourselves, how can I more fully, more dearly serve You? May praise of You ever be on our lips and may our tongues ever be employed to bless You. As the treasures of Who You Are are made known within our innermost being through reading the word and prayer let our anticipation of that great, glorious wedding feast in heaven fill our thoughts and minds. May we constantly, wantonly invite all those around us to the feast in glory. Draw many of our friends, our neighbours, our co-workers and people in our world to Yourself, blessed and Triune God—so that the chorus of praise will ever increase swelling to that great crescendo of creation-wide adoration of Your Name which will take place when Jesus returns on the clouds. Hallelujah! Amen.

May 24, 2020 -- Psalm 119:171 -- Wadis of praise

My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes.

Psalm 119:171 English Standard Version

In the dry regions in and around Israel there are dry river beds called: wadis. A wadi will remain dry until the rainy season when streams of water will pour forth. In the original language the expression “pour forth” is used for water coursing down one of these wadis in the rainy season. Now it is employed as the expression to pour forth praise and honour and blessing to God Who is near and Who by His Spirit and Word teaches us His ways.

Think of it, we were dry—dead in our sins and trespasses—then Jesus touched us and we were raised to new life. By the power of the Spirit we comprehend how wide flowing is the love of God our Father given to us. Jesus is for us Living Water (so He promised in John 4:15). Receiving Jesus results in hearts and mouths, minds and souls gushing forth praise and blessing, thanks and songs to His glorious Name.

The channels which hold and direct the coursing waters of praise and thanksgiving are His statues. The commandments of the Mighty LORD of Heaven and Earth direct our ardent worship in the appropriate courses. The more we know what He requires of us, the greater is our ability to praise Him, thank Him and live in joyful obedience to Him.

Such expressions of flowing praise from lives directed by His commandments are like streams of water in the desert. People who see us, those dry souls and parched hearts, witness that there is Living Water which bubbles up in us. Inevitably they will ask: what is different about him? Why is she so happy when there seems to be no reason for it? Our lives carry such Living Water and such testimony about God to the world around us. Brothers and sisters I urge you—be prepared to give an answer to those who ask you about such praise bubbling up in you and flowing from you, which finds its source in Jesus Christ.

Praises and honour and blessing are rightfully Yours, Blessed God, Holy and Triune. Thank You for the songs of deliverance, given to us by Your Spirit, which flow from our hearts. Thank You Spirit of Truth for the teaching You give us in the statutes of Scripture, these statutes which are most perfectly displayed in Jesus Christ: the Living Water for our souls. Holy and Perfect Sovereign of Heaven and Earth delight in the praises of Your people. Spirit of the Living God cause our songs of praise which flow from us in joy-filled channeled in obedience to Jesus Christ our King draw many parched souls to seek after this same Jesus Who is the well-spring of all blessings in us. Amen.

May 21, 2020 -- Psalm 119:170 -- In need of rescue

Let my plea come before you;

deliver me according to your word.

Psalm 119:170 English Standard Version

In the previous verse the Psalmist asked “let my ringing cry come before you”; now he is begging for the LORD’s help. He needs rescue. The world’s influence is so persistent. So subtle. So brazen. So evident in movies and commercials and social platforms.

The Psalm writer wants to watch over his life and his actions. He is aware that he will pass over so much of his own sin. He knows He needs the LORD His God and His illuminating Spirit to show him all his faults and deliver him from this. Jerry Bridges wrote:

We need to be watchful in the little things of everyday life, the little issues

that seem so unimportant—the little lie, the little bit of pride, the little lustful

glance, or the little bit of gossip…the truth is, it is in the minutiae of life

where most of us live day after day. We seldom have to say no to an outright

temptation to adultery. We often have to say no to the temptation to the

lustful look or thought. And as some unknown person has said, “He that

despises little things shall fall little by little”. It’s true, we need to be on the

lookout for the “little things,” so that we will be prepared to say no to the

more obvious sins. Watching is the first step in avoiding or battling any

sin, especially worldliness.

Jerry Bridges as quoted in Growing Up Christian Karl Graustein, page 70

For the last twenty-one, eight verse stanzas the Psalmist has been enumerating the open sins and subtle sins, the sins of enemies and recklessness of his own sin-hardened heart. He knows we need the rescue of the LORD our God. Thanks be to God for the glorious work of Jesus Christ.

We read in Galatians 1 that Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins, to rescue us from the present evil age (Galatians 1:4). What a powerful statement. What a indictment against our sin. Many people who regularly read these devotions have told me they are so tired of Psalm 119. They are tired of the constant references to law and sin. No doubt. I understand. I embarked on this because I readily ignore how bad my own sin is. This chapter of the Bible drives home my need for rescue, for the Savior of my soul in Whom we have a Father, a purpose and an eternal home.

Mighty God, thank You for answering King David’s prayer. Thank You for providing the way of salvation, long before King David even knew he needed rescue. Thank You Lord Jesus, our Rescuer and our Everlasting King. Thank You Spirit of the Living God for guarding us and keeping us in the flood of Jesus’ great grace and rescue. Spirit of God, watcher of our souls, light Your search-lamp within our souls and minds and hearts so that what we consider to be little evils will be rooted out and more room will be made for the eternal delights of living in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Amen.

May 19, 2020 -- Psalm 119:169 -- Ringing Cries of Prayer and Praise

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;

give me understanding according to your word.

Psalm 119:169 English Standard Version

The word “cry” seems so prosaic, so ordinary. In fact in the original language it is a ringing cry. That is odd. It is an expression we do not use very often. It is the secondary sense of ringing that is in view: the forceful, unequivocal cry. So we read it as the ringing cry of one who is seeking to be wholly dedicated to the LORD. Perhaps the writer is aware of his own stumbling steps and failures. Let my ringing cry for help and sustaining grace reach Your ears, O God. Perhaps he is experiencing the great kindness of the LORD and his cry is one of resounding praise and honour. What is beautiful is that the psalmist knows he has access to the very throne room of God.

If you look at King David’s life you’ll read that even his own wife when she entered into his presence bowed down before him (I Kings 1:31). If a mere mortal king had such respect and obeisance from his own wife, how much more do we as sons and daughters of the Most High King of Glory marvel at the access we have to Him Who is Immortal and Magnificent?!

In our studies of Psalm 119 we have reaced the final stanza, the last octet. It is a fitting summary of what we’ve read and learned and prayed together. The various threads and themes of this book are being tied together. The Word of God, the summary of His laws and rules, His Self-revelation show us the tremendous kindness we have received.

Think of it, because of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ we gain access to the throne room of God. By His blood all believers are priests—we can go directly to Jesus Christ and find in Him our Lawyer, our Friend, our Comforter Who brings us to the Father. The Word shows us the power of the Spirit Who guards our hearts and minds so that we read and revel in the deep things of God.

What response can we offer in view of all of this? I suppose cries of ringing praise are the most fitting prayers to offer; Psalm 150 our prayer today:

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!
 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

 Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150 English Standard Version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMwGTbnknCM

May 18, 2020 -- Psalm 119:168 -- God's eye is on you: does that worry or assure you?

I keep your precepts and testimonies,

for all my ways are before you.

Psalm 119:168 English Standard Version

The fact that all our thoughts and actions are laid bare before the LORD is an incentive for us to keep His rules and laws. We do not want to offend Him as His eye is always on us. So this is the testimony of Christians. We who know the mercy of God look to Him as our Master and with our eyes ever on Him, we want to live for Him in such a way that our lives and actions and thoughts meet His approval.

The fact that all our thoughts are actions are laid bare before Him is also an expression of assurance. All our ways are before Him—He knows us at our worst, most sinful and cynical—and knowing we could not save ourselves He provided for us the way of salvation. Though He is inexpressibly holy, though His excellences and perfections are such that we He cannot tolerate sin of any kind, He has provided the way for us to be saved. He has given us life and named us as His sons and daughters. This way of salvation is Jesus Christ—what extravagance.

Imagine you are traveling in a desert. Unexpectedly there is a brief storm. Then you see a scorpion that happens to be caught up in the raging waters that have swept it into its eddying grasp and you want to save this scorpion. Understand this: the scorpion will not thank you. Even as you are saving it, it will sting you. Even if you save it, it will sting you. It cannot comprehend what you are doing.

In the same way, we sting God with our sins. Our old nature continues to rear up again and again. Yet God the Merciful does not pull back His hand. He continues in His purposeful rescue of us. His Son endures everything, up to and including the cross, but sets this joy before Him—knowing the sinner will be transformed and be covered by His righteousness—His right living. Even more Jesus knows the Father will be glorified.

Scorpion-hearted though we were, when we recognize this great, saving love of God something happens. Either we resent God and question His right to command our living, and we will continue to be people who are constantly stinging at Him and refusing to yield to Him or the other response is we thank Him. Those who thank God the Father of all Kindness and Love realize we still sting Him at the most inopportune times and realizing our wickedness continually confess our sins to Him, hating our errors and ways. Urgently and humbly we pray, help us to keep all Your rules and Your precepts, Your Words and Your law because of this realization which is dawning over our souls—all our ways are before You and yet You love us. Great are You, LORD, Triune and Blessed, Holy and True.

In the Bible one of the prophets asks: “Who is a God like You, what deity can compare to You? You wipe our slate clear of guilt and past sins!” LORD God Almighty—You alone are God and You are merciful. Thank You for Your saving love. Spirit of the Living God, help us to see our sins in the light of the law so that we know our great need for Jesus the Savior. Forgive us. May we grow in the glorious assurance that You, Faithful God, see us, know us at our worst, and work out Your salvation in us. Spirit of God let the joy of our salvation animate our ever-deepening commitment to obey Jesus and so bring delight to the heart of our Father in heaven. Amen.

May 17, 2020 -- Psalm 119:167 -- Hearts softened for the glory of God

My soul keeps your testimonies;

I love them exceedingly.

Psalm 119:167 English Standard Version

When I was a teenager there was a very popular Christian Contemporary Artist named Keith Green. He was one of the first really popular Christian singers that young people listened to at the time. I bring this to your attention in the context of this day’s text. When I first read it, I was objecting “No, my soul doesn’t keep the LORD’s testimonies”. And then I remember a Keith Green song Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful. I listened to it again and this particular version had this preamble, which perfectly captured my mixed feelings about the first phrase of the text.

Green said:

This week on Monday, about midnight, I wrote a letter to the Lord, I didn’t know where to mail it, so I put it in my bible and I asked him: “Lord you gotta do something about my heart, it is starting to harden up, it has been a long time since I met you and it is starting to harden up, it is kind of natural, I want to have baby skin Lord, I want to have skin like a baby on my heart, it is starting to get hard and wrinkled and calloused, not because of anything I’m doing , because of a lot of things I am not doing…

What a graphic description of the way in which our hearts can change. If we are not intentional about our commitment to Jesus Christ and regularly speaking with Him, singing to Him, and listening to His Word. When the heart starts to get wrinkled and hardened and cynical, we look at a text like the one before us today and wonder “how can that be”? We look for loopholes and avenues out.

The fact is, we hold up a text like the one we read today and confess we are far from this standard. The goal of our heart, mind and soul is to the love the LORD our God with all our being. When we recognize the calloused condition of our heart ask the Spirit of God—Who showed us the state of our heart—to help us scrape the dry, leathery parts off so that we can offer to the Triune, Blessed God our softened hearts. Once softened we find once again that our souls love Him exceedingly.

Rouse yourself in these Covid-19 crisis times. Pray. Read the Word. Listen to inspiration teachings and worship songs. Confess you sins and your hardened heart and ask for the Lord to bring you to the place where you can shout out with the Psalmist: “My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly”! The love for the testimonies of the LORD point to a heart that is even more inclined to love the LORD Himself—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Spirit of the Living God, move through our hearts. Wean our hearts from sin. Spirit of Truth remove the callouses and dried out parts so that our hearts resonate once again with a pure and deep love for the LORD God Almighty. Bless the preachers and evangelists, missionaries and bible teachers who bring Your word to us today so that our souls may delight in the LORD of Glory. Amen.

If you have the time, listen to this Keith Green song, the one I referred to in this devotion today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqEa1Uo9UZc

May 14, 2020 -- Psalm 119:166 -- Hope

I hope for your salvation, O LORD,

and I do your commandments.

Psalm 119:166 English Standard Version

Hope expresses such a longing of the soul. It can simmer and bubble below the surface and its real intensity won’t even be apparent to our conscious mind until suddenly we catch a glimpse of that which is hoped for and our heart soars with longing that is uncapped. Sometimes that hope betrays us. Other times we recognize the beauty of the longing.

J.C. Ryle warned the children of believing parents to be careful what they are hoping for. Many such children of Christian households hope to, yearn to fit in with their non-Christian peers, they hope for popularity, they hope to break the rules like they see their peers breaking rules. Ryle warned:

I ask the children of religious parents to mark well what I am saying. It is the highest

privilege to be the child of a godly father and mother, and to be brought up in the midst

of many prayers. It is a blessed thing indeed to be taught the gospel from our earliest

infancy, and to hear of sin, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and holiness, and heaven, from

the first moment we can remember anything. But, oh, take heed that you do not remain

barren and unfruitful in the sunshine of all these privileges: beware lest your heart

remains hard, impenitent, and worldly, notwithstanding the many advantages you enjoy.

You cannot enter the kingdom of God on the credit of your parents’ religion. You must

eat the bread of life yourself, and have the witness of the Spirit in your own heart. You must

have repentance of your own, faith of your own, and sanctification of your own.

In wonderful contrast to neglecting riches given, the Psalmist is calling believers to examine our hearts: what is it we are hoping for? What is the yearning that is steering us in a direction we ought not to go? A verse like this calls us to recalibrate our hopes and longings so that all are oriented to the LORD of Glory, our salvation.

The commandments of God guide our feet in His righteous paths. The law of the LORD directs us to Jesus Christ—Who is the fulfilment of the Law. The word of the LORD resonates deep within our heart as the Spirit of God animates it within us so that we know our hope to be nothing less than Jesus Christ and HIs righteousness.

Faithful Father in heaven, thank You for those among us who grew up in Christian households. Thank You for those who met Jesus Christ because of faithful parents. We pray with thanks for those who were drawn to Jesus Christ at a later age and who now strive to raise their children in the hope and beauty of Christ the King. Spirit of God, help us all to know the riches given us in Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, directed by this word today, help us examine our hearts and minds, our hopes and aspirations and recalibrate our hope so that it is fixed on Christ alone. Blessed are You, God of all Perfections, the heart’s true Desire and the Desire of all Nations. Amen.

May 13, 2020 -- Psalm 119:165 -- Great crises and greater peace

Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 119:165 English Standard Version

The truth of these words is especially dear to me today. Over the last two weeks dear brothers and colleagues have been embroiled in the urgent question of whether or not our churches should be open in defiance of our civil magistrates (our duly appointed government). Those of you who have read my posts have seen the wildness of my passionate arguments—like a child learning to wield a sword slicing himself and others and things at random. What speaks to me is the peace that has followed the conflict. We had a Presbytery meeting on Saturday and though I was poised and ready for a fist fight, I was met with brothers who disagreed with me, but nevertheless, showed great restraint and kindness. In light of this, the power of this verse is especially true for me today.

We have great peace because God’s law was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

We have great peace because as we have been forgiven in Jesus Christ so we are free to offer and receive such forgiveness.

We have great peace because we can disagree and not be afraid that the love of God and the love of brothers and sisters in Christ will be withdrawn from us.

We have great peace because the Accuser, Satan, will attempt to continue to stir up anger and doubt and sow insidious questions among us—but this we know: all our wrong-doing has been cast onto Christ at the cross and He has been punished in our place and therefore we have the righteousness of Jesus.

We have great peace because the Law of God is proven just and good and this law has led us to Jesus Christ so that nothing can make us stumble: our circumstances, our wrong-doing, their wrong-doing, our world—nothing can make us stumble beyond the grip of His grace. What comfort we have. What great grace surrounds us.

Those of you who know my story, may know that at the final classis meeting where my status was to be determined, I was not even allowed to speak. I was denied access to the meeting. It was staggering. Brothers and colleagues whom I’d know and worked with for decades all withdrew; it felt as if I was bereft of their love, their support. I confess I was stumbling over that. I confess I was starting to live in the straitjacket of those experiences, rather than in the wide expanse of God’s great peace.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit reminded me that all of us are guilty before God. All of us are in need of the mercy and salvific work of Jesus Christ. As such, I did not stumble now, I rose up and blessed God for showing me what a church meeting, one that was filled with landmines of hard topics, what such a meeting could be like. The Spirit going before, sweeping the mines, the Spirit reminding us of the Word, of the Glory of God and the promise of how good it is when brothers live together in unity.

It was healing. I had forgiven my colleagues of my previous denomination. I have in the past asked for their forgiveness. Some responded. Some did not. Still, God is great and His Spirit is bringing healing to the greatest depths of our need. And recently through the events of the last two weeks, God has shown what great peace can exist among brothers who strongly disagree on things or rulings, but are united in the majesty of Jesus Christ and His truth.

LORD of Glory—streams of tears flow from my eyes because Your law is not obeyed. Mighty God of salvation, You have opened the way of salvation through Jesus Christ and we who know Your extravagant mercy plead for family members and friends who do not know the strong power of Your forgiving love demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ. Spirit of the Living God work in the hearts and lives of family members and friends, colleagues and neighbours, especially now, in these days of Covid-19 crisis where so many have no world-view adequate to comprehend or face the gut-wrenching consequences for employment, work, their future, their family, and mental health. Triune and blessed God, may the great peace of those who love Your law stand as a glowing witness, a lighthouse to draw many to Jesus Christ. Amen.

May 10, 2020 -- Psalm 119:164 -- Seven Times a Day Praise

Before I write and send this devotional today, please note that three of my previous devotions were offensive to brothers and sisters in Christ who hold different views. I was making my point, but I went beyond this and made assumptions about the motives of others rather than attributing to them a shared, holy zeal for the LORD. In the same forum where I published such things I make an apology and humbly ask their forgiveness. I have removed two of these posts and radically re-written the post that remains so that ad hominen attacks are removed.

I still hold the same view that our churches should be open in accordance with whatever regulations are in place set by civil magistrates, but I recognize there are colleagues in ministry who hold the opposite view. As at a recent Presbytery meeting they extended kindness to me and my very different view though I am in the tiniest minority, so I long to show courtesy and kindness even as I offer my point of view for consideration.

Thanks. Shalom. Richard

Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous rules.

Psalm 119:164 English Standard Version

Do you have a soundtrack running through your brain? Yesterday I was talking with a good friend, he and I both noted we always have some music playing in our brains. Recently we’d both heard Aretha Franklin’s version of Nessun Dorma (performed live in 1998 at the Grammy’s). My friend noted I’d be humming it or quoting it at the oddest times. Since that conversation I’ve been asking him (at the most random times): “what’s the track that’s playing now?” And he always answers. Sometimes it is an obscure folk dance tune, or something he recalled from his teenage years (that would take him more than a decade back in time).

This afternoon I had the wonderful privilege of attending church! New Brunswick is allowing religious services with up to 10 in attendance. Pastor Michael is holding five worship services today, and up to nine people are attending at a time. Via email church members had the chance to sign up for particular time slots. What a lot of organization it took on his part! What a joy it is to be in church! One family with young children sat several pews behind us. Pastor Michael asked for a hymn request. And this young lad shouted out “100”. It is the beautiful hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy!” And he didn’t just shout out a random number, he knew the number and the selection it represented. It is evidence to me that this family has times of worship at home and the children, though quite young, know songs and psalms and hymns of praise. At a tender age they are learning how to, seven times a day, praise God.

If perhaps it is not your experience that your heart and mind resound with praises and blessing to God, I would humbly ask you—what are you listening to? The scores of movies. The sitcoms theme songs? The lyrical musical ditties of commercials? All of these will cling like burrs to the brain. Perhaps intentionally add a diet of praise songs and hymns. Listen to magnificent oratorios like: Handel’s Israel in Egypt, or Mendelssohn’s Elijah. If you’d like a shorter intro to wonderfully classical music, consider Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major. Maybe as you prepare dinner, listen to some contemporary Christian music. Fill that noggin of yours with rapturous music and you’ll soon find with the psalmist that (at least) seven times a day you offer praises to God in your heart for all you have received in Christ Jesus, our Redeemer King.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!

Spirit of the Living God, bring to my heart and mind songs of deliverance and anthems of praise honouring Jesus Christ, the Captain of our Salvation. Spirit of the Living God. Triune God, forever glorious in Your perfections, let the words of our lips and the meditations of our hearts be a constant tribute of praise to You. Amen.

May 8, 2020 -- Psalm 119:163 -- Responding to our dangerous times

I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love your law.

Psalm 119:163 English Standard Version

The range of meaning for falsehood includes deceit, deception, and lying. The writer of this Psalm wants his heart to be completely devoted to the One Who is Holy and Perfect. He has recognized princes have persecuted him without cause. He knows the Word of God to be his great source of rejoicing. Now the writer is calling out for his brothers and sisters in faith to hate and abhor falsehood. Note the intensity of these words, Hebrew does not have exclamation marks, so putting two words of similar meaning next to one another (hate and abhor) there is a tremendous intensification of emotion and weight to what is being written.

This morning I had to rise up from my bed much earlier than usual and pour out my heart to the LORD. I am so conflicted because I struggle with the question: are we as Christians, are living in falsehood?

The Word of God requires us to gather as His people. We are to worship the LORD, one day in seven is set apart for Him. His people must praise Him, gathering no matter what the civil magistrates of the land require. This is how I read it. Brothers whom I respect hold the view in this case we are required to obey our civil magistrate. At issue is this: where there is a conflict, which law do we obey? Many churches and denominations have obeyed the commands of our government rather than giving greater weight to the first three laws of the Ten Commandments.

Right now so many Christians and leaders appointed by God, who are faithful in so many areas, put forward a few arguments for obedience to the civil magistrate. Such leaders are saying, among other things, we must obey our civil magistrate and this command to stay home trumps the command to meet and worship God. Their point is that the civil magistrate is given authority by God in some clear areas.

Here is a place where I have a question. Many of these same church leaders endorse Christian Schools in defiance of state funded schools. Many of these same church leaders seem to show an inconsistency on this point by home schooling children rather than allow the heinous, government required sex education curriculum to be taught to their children. They defy the civil magistrate in this because it so so obvious we must do so.

For me it is obvious the public school system has failed in its curriculum. It is obvious Christians should protest what is being taught and should send their children to Christian Schools or home school their children. For me it is obvious that churches should be open and as Christians defy the government’s order to go to public schools, so it seems Christians should go to church in obedience to the commandments to do so. It feels to me that this is just at the moment when the world needs Christians more than ever to stand up, go to church, and show full parking lots and open doors.

Second premise put forth today is this, the only way to honour God and our civil magistrate was to shut down our churches immediately. Here I tremble before the thought for the holy majesty of our Great and Glorious God. At this point I grieve as the churches which shut down immediately did not even leave the witness to the world and the defiant public symbol of public gatherings of five or ten as local civil magistrate regulations would allow.

Why have we as churches not complied by having five or ten people in church at a time and showing our parking lots as active places where small groups of people longing for their turn to get in and worship? We could have had people going to church all-day each Sunday and through-out the week. Why have we not complied with the letter of the law while protesting the implications made by our civil magistrate that Christians and churches are not essential?

Why, when churches have been allowed, since April 23, to gather in parking lots without penalty or fine, have church leaders not immediately filled our parking lots each Sunday and joyfully summoned the people of God to gather? God commands us—why are we so deafeningly silent?

At this one point I fear we love our comfort more than we love the Torah, and its Author our Faithful, Sovereign.

We have braved sickness and possible exposure to Covid-19 by going to stores. I wonder, why won’t we insist churches be open? Perhaps 5 people at a time, all through the week?

I hope that history will not say of us that we have shamed ourselves and brought gross dishonour to the Name of Him Who is glorious by obsequiously obeying the requirements of an inconsistent magistrate rather than like a slave kept our eyes on God and obeyed Him first, last and always.

One area that rubs my conscience is this: we have allowed low-paid grocery workers to cash out our purchases, and celebrated them as front-line, brave workers while we have as Christians not held the line, opening our churches as widely as our civil magistrate would allow. It seems to be as if we’re huddling in fear in our homes without showing even the least trace of such courage as is displayed by grocery clerks! Will historians judge us and say we have acquiesced with the civil magistrate’s declaration to the world we are not essential.

In view of our great love for God, Christians write your Prime Minister, your Member of Parliament, your Premier and health officials and respectfully say: 1. thanks for your work, we are praying for you; 2. as a Christian I believe churches are essential; 3. open our churches immediately. 4. We will comply with the regulations for safely gathering, but we must gather. Thank you. And sign your name: ____________________

Sure, we can wear masks or face shields, but gather we must!

Sure, we can socially distance as is required, but I believe we must honour God above sinful man.

Sure, those who are most vulnerable and have pre-existing conditions that make going out in public dangerous such persons should stay home as they did before this pandemic.

Christians, flood the in-boxes of your church leaders and call them to be faithful. Tell them you are praying for them, but you are so disappointed that our churches are not open. Prick their consciences and call them to action for the glory of Jesus Christ.

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us this day our daily bread,
 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.” Amen.

This version of the LORD’s Prayer is from Matthew 6:10-13.