Too Much to Ask?

In the aftermath of the Newtown slaughter, it is hard to know what we can offer. Nothing covers up the shame of this open, gaping wound on the national conscience. How could it have happened, and what can we do to help? We can't change what happened, and we'll never restore what has been taken, but we can each have a small part in preventing further tragedies like the evil deed of one sick soul at Sandy Hook.

We're not asked to do the impossible. Historically, all God has asked of his people was to look after our neighbors. We're simply to "render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another . . . not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart" (from Zechariah 7:9-10). Can we do that much? Can we each take good care of the person right next to us, or is it too much to ask?

Among God's people, it has seemed too much to ask, for "they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard" (verses 11-12), and I'm afraid we're tempted to do the same. Please don't withdraw from those around you, and don't close your eyes to the needs of difficult people. How many turned their backs on the unpleasant kid who grew up to be Lanza?

Let's not let it happen again.

KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH

1 Samuel 4 describes superstitious people who trusted a box instead of God. The troops carried the ornate box containing their written agreement with God onto the battlefield for protection, but it didn't help at all! They were defeated because while they considered themselves to be God's chosen people, protected by an ironclad contract with God, they didn't make a practice of living by that agreement (which included the Ten Commandments). Everyone just did what seemed right to them.

Though we modern believers are under a new agreement, carrying the Book around without cracking it open to see what it says is ignorant and superstitious. Reading or hearing Jesus' teachings without setting our hearts to do accordingly is not enough. Under our grace agreement, we can't just wear our "faith" like a lucky charm - a cross around the neck or a Bible in the car. According to Luke (ch. 12:35-59), we are responsible to learn and know and practice and manage what we've been given.

. . . Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required . . . 

Luke 12:48 ESV

WHO TO FEAR

A friend was telling about a "funny" that showed Jesus on the cross, and three guys lined up next to him making the "M", "C", and "A" from the song we all know and love to hate. It is humorous in a sad way, and illustrates what happens when we view a scene out of context. What means everything to me might be completely irrelevant to someone who knows little to nothing about what happened at that cross. Is the cartoon blasphemy, or mere sacrilege? I don't know, but I'm not laughing! God's grace covers a lot of ignorance and error, but Jesus said it is healthy to have a certain fear:

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! - Luke 12:4-5

In the Heart, Not the Head

Was Sampson's strength in his hair, really? Or was it perhaps in his heart? The historic account is that when Sampson's hair was cut, his strength left him; his hair was not all that was cut, though. His heartstrings were also snipped. Sampson truly gave away his heart and redirected his emotional alliance when he leveled with Delilah about his calling and lifelong identity as person set apart to God. Was it in giving his true affections, his turning from God to another, that might have caused God to leave him? Surely there was no magic in the hair on his head. Just think about it: where's your heart at?

Blown Away by Light and Sound

Gideon's group represented less than one in a hundred "mighty men," and they went without weapons. Armed with a trumpet in one hand and a light in the other, they won an absolute and definitive victory! How do these things hapen?? See for yourself! It's amazing what happened when a few hundred people followed a guy who was following God.

Up with Candy Wrappers

Promises, promises! We Christians eat God's promises like candy, but what about the wrappers? We can't enjoy sweet promises until we unwrap them by heeding the commands which accompany them. The words around God's promises can't be ignored; before we can get to the sweetness, we have to do what God says.

Deborah delivers God's promise of victory to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand . . ."  (Judges 4:14). God called the warrior Barak to lead his nation against a powerful enemy. God promised they would win, but the promise was accompanied by the command to get "Up!"

Later, Gideon heard an old, familiar promise, "'And I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear . . .'" (Judges 6:10). The promise that God is theirs was accompanied by the command not to fear. In verse16 God told Gideon, ". . . I will be with you, and you shall strike . . . as one man.'" This is a double-header! God will be with Gideon, and he'll win.

The passage goes on to describe, step-by-step, how Gideon took action on God's specific instructions in spite of much fear and doubt. The result was that:

 ", , , the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon . . ." (verse 34) 

Gideon had to throw himself into gear and take action (albeit with fear and great trembling) before he was clothed with the Spirit of the Lord.

Unwrapping God's promises involves step-by-step obedience to God's straightforward commands. Like Gideon, we have to take action in spite of our fears in order to be clothed in the Spirit of the Lord. What would have happened if Barak or Gideon had "rested in God's promises" without taking action on his commands? 

Lord, I want to be clothed with your Spirit.

Please help me unwrap the sweetness of your promises 

by taking action on your commands.

Today's Old Testament reading was Judges 4, 5, and 6. The New Testament reading contains a couple of interesting promises as well, but I'll let you find them for yourself!

Jesus Forgives

Jesus forgives! One of the famous bad girls of the Bible is an example, and I'm glad to be like her -- forgiven. Jesus spoke to the one who passed judgment on her:

" . . . her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." - Luke 7:47-48, ESV

Lord, help me love much.