Month: March 2021

Psalm 64

If someone’s got a problem with you because what you’ve done is wrong then fair enough but if what you did or what you are is God’s will then what are we to do about that? This is a challenge for an individual but it is also a challenge for the collective body of believers in Jesus, in other words the church. What is experienced in terms of a threat to Israel as a nation or the king as the representative of the nation in the Old Testament is reflected as a spiritual threat in the New Testament. It may not be either right or fair but spiritual conflict is the status quo and we should expect it and treat it as the continuing normal. Paul makes this very clear, ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’. ^{Ephesians 6.12}

In Psalm 64 David is complaining to God about his enemies and seeking God’s protection and whilst he is seeking God for himself as king he is also seeking him for the nation. ‘Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy’. ^v1 Those who want to overthrow him also want to lead the nation in ways that rebel against God. For the modern church the enemies are those who want to undermine Jesus’ teaching and reject him as the Son of God and restorer of mankind’s relationship with God through his sacrifice and resurrection. The difference between the Old Testament way and the New Testament way is that in the Old the battle was waged with war and in the New it is waged with love. The spiritual battle and enemies are diverse. There is widespread violent opposition to Jesus through sections of other religions and atheist states e.g. North Korea and China. There is also spiritual and intellectual opposition where sanctions are imposed on those who would profess to follow Jesus. There are those who oppose Jesus through the promotion of sinful practices, these may include entirely legal methods of abuse and oppression including behaviour that leads to addiction, self-abuse or an obsession with materialism.

David wants to hide from the conspiracy of the wicked ^v2 and one can understand that, they want to kill him. It is interesting to contrast that with Jesus who thankfully did not hide but boldly declared the kingdom of God and deliberately obeyed God even though he knew it would cause him suffering beyond our understanding and physical death.

David highlights a number of the characteristics of the enemies of God. They speak with the intent to destroy. ‘They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows’. ^v3 In modern terms that would include through all forms of written and visual media. It is not done haphazardly but deliberately and remorselessly. It is an ambush. ^v4 How is this expressed today? It is organized by such groups as the British Humanist Society and a range of intellectual institutions. Let’s be clear Christianity is not anti-intellectual it is intellectually coherent and has many leading scientists and other intellectuals as personal believers. Anti-Christian sentiment is often institutionalised much like other forms of prejudice including in certain settings into the legal framework of a country.

We should not be surprised if opposition to Jesus and his teaching is planned in terms of deliberate attacks on faith. These plans may well disguise themselves as other campaigns but in essence they are opposing the gospel. ‘They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it”?’ ^v5

What is the Christian response to such opposition? David points to a concern for all people and points to a time when all will come to a knowledge of God. This remains the Christian confidence and hope. ‘All people will fear; (hold God in proper reverence and awe) they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him’. ^{vv 9,10}

Whilst David looks forward to God’s judgement and even punishment of his enemies, ^{vv 7.8} Jesus’ teaching was to follow his example and sacrificially love those who opposed and even hated him. Paul who is a classic example of a person who hated and plotted against Jesus prior to his conversion wrote, ‘while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ ^{Romans 5.8}

Jesus’ words were, ‘But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.’ ^{Luke 6.27,28} Peter wrote to the churches, ‘But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.’

A vital part of loving people whether they are friend or enemy is to communicate the gospel as the good news of Jesus Christ in obedience to Jesus’ closing words in Luke’s gospel. ‘Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’ ^Luke24.45-48           How can we be a blessing to the world?

For the joys and for the sorrows – Graham Kendrick

Psalm 63 and Hebrews 10.19-25

Going to church is great but what is the best thing? Is it that the place feels special or maybe it is meeting trusted friends and knowing you are welcome? For lots of people it is simply being with the family of God knowing that what you treasure most is the thing you have in common. For others they love to listen to the bible being explained as they have their life changed by the word of God. Many find that it is in shared corporate worship that they most intimately meet with God whether that is through music and song, prayer or focusing on the words God has provided. Worship is highly personal and intimate because God has enabled that by becoming more understandable in the person of Jesus. As Christians long to worship God part of that longing is for the shared experience because it has so many benefits.

David from, ‘a dry and weary land where there is no water’ ^v1 is desperate to experience again worship of God in his sanctuary. This for David was a literal experience, he had fled to the wilderness following Absalom’s attempted coup. David’s dejected and mournful state of mind is lucidly described in 2 Samuel 15.23-37. He had commanded Zadok to take the Ark of God back to Jerusalem with the words, ‘If I find favour in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again’. ^{2 Sam 15.25} When David calls out to God, ‘O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you’ ^v1 it is the definition of the wilderness experience. For us now many things can be described as a wilderness experience where we are separated from the worshiping community of God’s people. Most of us at this moment cannot physically be together to worship but like David we recall worshipping together beholding his power and glory. Even in the wilderness we can rejoice with David that his steadfast love is better than life and look forward with eagerness to the time when together our lips will praise him.

David is confident and we can share his confidence that the Lord will fully satisfy us. ^v5 Frequently it is during the night that the sense of being in a wilderness is at its greatest. It is then we can copy David perhaps with the aid of our bible or Christian book in remembering God and meditating on him until we have joyful praise on our lips.  Past experience teaches us that we are living in the shadow of his wings as our inner being ‘clings’ to him. David knew his own son was trying to overthrow him. If our troubles are caused by others then we can rest assured that God will be the final judge. ^{vv 9-11}

What was David’s experience of worship in the sanctuary of God is now surpassed by Jesus’  once for all sacrifice. All Jesus’ disciples now have full access to God’s inner sanctuary or his presence and we are fully encouraged together to enter his presence. Hebrews put it like this, ‘Therefore, brothers, (all disciples) since we have confidence to enter holy places by the blood of Jesus, the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure spiritual water’. ^{Hebrews 10.19-22}

Hebrews expands on the benefits of worshipping together. We are to think of ways to stir each other up to love and good works. ^{Heb 10.24} We are to encourage one another with a particular view to the return of Jesus. All this with the purpose to live a life set apart for Jesus resisting sin. Hebrews is very clear being a disciple of Jesus will need endurance ^{Heb 10.36} and it is likely to be a hard struggle with sufferings. ^{Heb 10.32,33} However, through it all we are to show love and joy in the Lord for we know we have a, ‘better possession and an abiding one’. ^{Heb 10.34}

For reasons of victorious discipleship we are not to neglect meeting together. ^{Heb 10.25} Whilst meeting virtually in our current circumstances and to be encouraged where possible it is right to long for the time when we can meet fully in person.

Do we take up opportunities to virtually meet together to worship and encourage each other?

Are we minded to support those who are not able to share in fellowship at this time?

Are we praying for the time when we can once again be fully together and behold the Lord’s power and glory?

Psalm 62

Who would you be most surprised at self-declaring they’re a Christian? For me Alice Cooper lifted an eyebrow. After struggling with drugs and alcohol for much of his life he said, “Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy. But being a Christian, that’s a tough call. That’s rebellion.’ George Foreman didn’t only invent a worktop grilling machine, he was a world champion heavyweight boxer. He became a Christian after nearly dying in fight in 1977. He quickly became a Christian minister. ‘Mr T’ (Lawrence Tureaud) of The A Team fame following his wrestling career became a Christian. Famous for wearing gold, after Hurricane Katrina (2005) he gave his gold away. He is recorded as saying, ‘When I saw other people lose their lives and lose their land and property … I felt it would be a sin before God for me to continue wearing my gold.’ Francis Collins was an atheist, he invented positional cloning, took part in the discovery of the genes for cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease and neurofibromatosis and directed the Human Genome Research Institute for 15 years. He found himself challenged by a terminally ill woman as to what his faith was. He then sought advice from a Methodist minister about Christianity and was given a copy of C S Lewis’ Mere Christianity. On reading that he came to the conclusion that Christianity was rational and is now a strong advocate for both science and the Christian faith.

In Psalm 62 David says, ‘Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are lighter together than a breath.’ ^{v 9}  When in adult life we are taken short and challenged as to the value of our life, whether poor and at the bottom of the pile, born into wealth and influence or a high achiever it is a shock to realize that our life is, ‘lighter than a breath’.

David himself was the most successful king, despite many failings, in Israel’s history. It was from his succession that Jesus came and Jesus as Messiah was known as the son of David. Despite being anointed by God and victor of many battles extending and securing the nation of Israel he understood the vanity of self-reliance. He twice records the refrain, ‘For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken’. ^{vv 1-2,5-6}

At the point where we are deeply challenged or troubled and action of some kind seems imperative it takes courage to stop in our inner being (soul) and wait for God in silence. It is at that point when we can become deeply aware of our need for the grace of God. To grasp that God and God alone is our salvation is a break through moment to a new life with him. Christianity isn’t trusting in ideas or our own ability to lift ourselves out of life’s problems. The Christian faith is trusting in God expressed in the person of Jesus. Jesus own words were, ‘I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. ^{John 14.6}

David is refreshingly honest in that he acknowledges he can be a little shaken but God is his fortress at those moments. ^v2 Things that can shake us include people who plan against us and behave deviously, saying nice things to our face but inside curse us. ^v4 Many will have experience this in family disputes, friendships gone wrong or employment situations. David also cautions against those who seek to prosper through criminal activity or put their faith in wealth. ^v10

David’s response to such things is listen to and trust in God. He doubles up the importance of listening and trusting God with the words. ‘Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work’. ^v11-12

If you are experiencing a testing time have you taken time alone to wait in silence and listen to God?

Are you trusting in things that in God’s judgement have no weight?

As you find me – Hillsong Worship

1 Peter

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139. 7-10

The gap year and global travel are now must have aspects of life for many. If like me you missed out on a gap year, I’m not sure I had even heard of it, between education and work then in retirement, the second window of freedom, it is eagerly grasped. This notion of broadening one’s horizons and getting to grips with alternative cultures although so much easier now mostly remains in global terms a privileged pastime. Where the poorest have globally travelled it has often been more forced rather than chosen for pleasure. I am thinking of migrants who have travelled to work as domestic servants or labourers leaving family behind and transferring nearly all of their meagre earnings to their family at home. There are also the migrants who risk their lives travelling huge distances at great personal cost on the vague hope of a safer life in a strange often western country.

The world is undeniably much more connected now than at any time in history. Information is passed almost instantaneously on any subject. Access to information is usually not the question, it is reliability of information that is more uncertain. What then can a letter, handwritten and personally delivered to a few scattered house churches in Asia Minor two thousand years ago have to valuably say when compared to the wealth of information now available in our information rich, globally connected world?

Peter’s first letter does have historically and culturally specific aspects. It mentions the Emperor, a temple and specific religious practices no longer undertaken but in all of these there are valid ways of applying them to modern life. The letter takes a very wide view, it scans God’s salvation plan for human history placing us between Christ’s resurrection and his return. It shows how Christ is the culmination of the Old Testament narrative and the hope for the future not only for the Jewish nation but for all nations. It is a letter with a sharp global perspective.

At the heart of the message is the importance of Jesus’ resurrection because it is through the resurrection of Jesus that he has formed a new global people who are to be to the world his race or people and his priesthood. ^{1.3-5, 2.9a} They are to be from all nations and races of equal worth to him. They are to have one mission in life and that is to reveal God in all his glory, mercy and holiness to the world. ^2.9b They are to do this through their life style and communicating God’s word.

This is very good news and will bring its own eternal reward. However, it will be personally costly and followers of Jesus should expect that to be normal. ^4.12 Life now for the global Christian is a pilgrimage, they are aliens in an unbelieving society, journeying to our true home. ‘Wherever believers live around the globe, this fallen world is not our home. As Paul put it, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3.20)’. ¹On this pilgrimage Christ is the example and the substitutionary saviour. Peter speaks of Christ as an example to follow (2.21-23, 4.2, 13-14) as well as a saviour (1.18-19, 2.24, 3.18). The gospels or life stories of Jesus now provide reliable accounts of Jesus character, work and teachings so that Christians are able to understand and follow him.

Peter also wants the global church to have hope even when they suffer for, ‘a little while’ ^5.10 in God’s judgement, justice and glory. As Christians across the world journey together they are to be bound together in a supportive unity. They are to intercede for one another, bear each others’ burdens, advocate for each other and reach out in mercy and kindness. At all times they are to keep in view the glorious inheritance that awaits them.

He’s got the whole world in His hand – Mahalia Jackson (Like you’ve never heard it before)

1 Peter 5.5-11

The presence of pain and suffering at the hands of evil in the world frequently presents difficulties for Christians and a barrier to faith for skeptics. Peter does not address the philosophical issues of why there is suffering when God is good. The whole span of scripture with the rebellion of human kind and God’s salvation plan through Jesus addresses the meta story. Peter’s concern is to prepare the church in Asia Minor for the ‘inevitable reality of unjust suffering’ ¹ and equip them to positively live as disciples with a confident hope in their hearts.

Peter presumes Christians will naturally be grouped into local churches asserting the necessity of them being led by elders who shepherd God’s flock in the same way Jesus, as the Chief Shepherd, taught and led the disciples. ^{v 5.1-4} Then the church as a whole grows, becomes secure in faith and is equipped to declare the excellencies of God. In these circumstances younger believers can be secure in being subject to the elders. ^{v 5.5} Whether Peter meant younger in age or faith does not overly matter as the principle is equally appropriate. God’s intention is that Christians should live together as part of a loving family or community led by Christ-like elders with a clear understanding of their own salvation and hope in Christ. In this way they are to follow Jesus’ instruction to make disciples throughout the world.

The attitude that preserves the bond in the family of God is humility. Peter urges the people to, ‘Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’. ^{v 5.5} He doubles his emphasis on humility with the additional phrase of, ‘all of you’. Humility is expected of everyone in the church it is evidenced by mutual respect and a desire to serve one another. God blesses the humble with the gift of grace. ^{v 5.5} Grace in one sense is a once and forever gift as we first believe. However, we are also in need of continuing grace as we live the life of a disciple. Peter uses the term in his blessing at the beginning of the letter, ‘May grace and peace be multiplied to you’. ^{v 1.2} Grace is the undeserved favour of God and so it takes humility to receive and benefit from it.

Peter presses the point home connecting humility now with being raised up by God to his eternal glory. ^{v 5.10} ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you …’ ^{v 5.6} Pride is opposed by God as it is a form of idolatry, placing oneself where God should be in our hearts. It replaces trust in God and doubts God’s love for us and hence spoils our relationship with him. Trust in God and humility does not mean we should be naïve which is why Peter is keen that Christians should be sober minded and watchful. ^{v 5.8} Christian life is full of pitfalls and risks, there is constant spiritual opposition. ‘Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour’.

Humility in all these circumstances brings the Christian peace as they cast, ‘all their anxieties on him, because he cares for you’. ^{v 5.7} Does this mean we remain passive and do nothing. Not at all, it means going about our business, facing our issues in the day or night knowing we are also about God’s business, with a trust in his grace. This could be at work in the office, classroom, hospital or field. It could be in the home challenged by children and relatives, financial difficulties or our own mental and physical health. The devil would turn any of our circumstances against us if he could to undermine our faith. Many find that the threat is even more severe in the court, in prison, facing armed forces, fleeing hunger or political oppression. Christians across the world face all of these things and the bible is the word of God for all time and all places. Peter’s word then is, ‘Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world’. ^{v 5.9}

In suffering the Christian has hope. The writer to the Hebrews says, ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’. ^{Hebrews 11.1} Paul in Romans writes, ‘Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given to us’. ^Romans 5.5 The hope the Christian has is confidence in the grace of God, ‘Who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you’. ^{v 5.10} In humility we can join with Peter and say, ‘To him be dominion forever and ever. Amen’. ^{v 5.11}

Gracefully broken – Matt Redman

1 – 1 Peter for you, page 163, Juan R. Sanchez