"DO YOU STILL HOLD FAST YOUR INTEGRITY" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 2nd

"DO YOU STILL HOLD FAST YOUR INTEGRITY?"

     Today we started to read the book of Job: it has a powerful message, indeed an important message for us. But it is a strange book in the way the message is conveyed.  We have come to the conclusion that it is an extended parable although built on an actual person and events.  We need to read it exercising our minds on the events which lie behind this parable and what these led to..

     Our understanding is that “when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan (the ESV footnote says, ‘the adversary’ – and this is the meaning of the Hebrew and how it is translated in passages such as 1 Sam 29 v.4, 2 Sam 19 v.22, 1 Kings 5 v.4 &c) … Satan came among them” [Job 1 v.6]   This is picturing, we suggest, how the LORD sees the hearts and attitudes of those assembled for worship before him  (cf Rev, 2 v,23) and in doing that he perceives any jealousies in their minds.

     Job “was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” [v.1] But because he was so successful in material things, another worshipper was jealous and thinks in his mind, and maybe says aloud to some, “Does Job fear God for no reason?” [v.9] He is thinking Job is only in attendance before God for the material benefits of doing so.  This ‘parable’ illustrates that this is not the case and this is another lesson for us..

     Job’s response to his wife, after calamities befall them and she says, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity?  Curse God and die”  was to say, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak.  Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” [2 v.9,10]  It is interesting to study the various contexts in which the Hebrew word, translated here as ‘evil’ occurs, for e.g. Psa. 10 v.6 where it is translated, “adversity.”  Consider all the “evil” Paul experienced when he turned to serve Jesus. 

     It is not until we come to the end of the book that we see the essential point the book is conveying to us.  Job confesses to God, “I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I repent in dust and ashes.”  [ch. 42 v.5,6]  We can say, we have read of God and reasoned in our minds as to what he must be – but how fully do we “see”?  Paul told the Ephesians to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened” [1 v.18]

     The ‘parable’ is complete in the final verses of the book when Job’s losses are restored  “And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before …and the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” [v.10,12]  We can see its application to the fulfilment of the promise of resurrection and the glories of God’s kingdom, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” [Rev.2 v.10]  Let us hold fast to our integrity – and “receive the crown of life” - not being distracted by present adversity or adversaries.  

"A SURE AND STEADFAST ANCHOT" Bible Reading Thoughts for December 1st

"A SURE AND STEADFAST ANCHOR"                                                                                                     

    Chapter 6 in Hebrews today highlights the example of Abraham and his faith in God.  The events of his life illustrate the need for patience in waiting for God to fulfil his promises – and so we read, “Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise” [Ch. 6 v.15]. The account in Genesis shows how he and his wife Sarah’s faith was tested to the limit before God’s promise was fulfilled and Sarah herself gave birth to a son. This illustrates the ways of God in dealing with those he has called to serve him.  His purpose will be fulfilled in His time.

     This world is now so evil it offers us no future, not that it ever did.   Today’s world has virtually nothing of any spiritual value; we see an ever more chaotic state of affairs in so many countries, political conflict is increasing in democratic countries. Against this background, how true are the words we read in Hebrews about the certainty of the promise of God that “we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor” [Ch. 6 v.18,19]. Maybe we have not sensed (as yet) that we “havefled for refuge”?  Will we feel motivated for such action when the situation reaches that stage?

    We thought of this in contrast to the mariners in the ship with Jonah as we read today of their desperation when “there was a mighty tempest of the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up” [Ch.1 v.4], just as this world threatens to break up with the nations becoming more disunited than ever – within themselves and between one another.

     In the New Testament Jesus makes a strange statement in response to “the scribes and Pharisees … he answered them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah” [Matt.12 v.38,39] ; he states  that just as Jonah was in the “belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” [v.40].   

     How few still believe that sign - and that Jesus died and rose again?  Yet the history of the rest of the First Century and thereafter defies explanation if that did not really happen.  This fact is “a sure and steadfast anchor” as to the reality of the foundation of our faith as the tempests of this world grow ever greater.

"THE HOUSE OF ESAU STUBBLE" Bible Reading Thoughts for Nov. 30th

"THE HOUSE OF ESAU STUBBLE"

     Esau was the twin brother of Jacob; when Jacob was given the name Israel, Esau began to be called Edom (Gen. 25 v.30) Remarkably both Jacob and Esau had 12 sons – see Genesis 36 v.9 – 43, Esau’s spread out, certainly as far as the Euphrates (v,37)

      Our reading of the prophecy of Obadiah today reminded us of this remarkable situation – and parallel - in the picture Obadiah was given of the future.  We could wish the prophecy was more explicit, but that is actually the case with all prophecy. What we are told challenges our thinking.  In v.8 we read, “Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom?  What day?  Why?  “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob” [v.10]

     Is this the answer as to why?  “For the day of the LORD is near upon all nations.  As you have done, it shall be done to you …” [v.15], Edom is told.    For the LORD, for whom time is different, everything is “near.”   

     Verses 17,18 reveal “…. In Mount Zion shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions (again) The house of Jacob shall be a fire… and the house of Esau stubble …”   The return of the exiles is indicated. “The exiles of the host of the people of Israel shall possess the land …” [v.20]

     The final verse of the prophecy tells us, “Saviours shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”    And when the kingdom is the LORD’s God’s plan and purpose will have brought into being one of its’ major objectives.   The king of the kingdom will be Jesus Christ. 

     Will you be there?   Two verses out of many interesting ones in today’s chapters in Hebrews jump out at us.  “Take care brothers, lest there be in any of you and evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today.’ That none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” [3 v. 12,13]  Are you being “hardened”?  There are lots of factors causing hardening today, but our reading and meditation - in our hearts - on God’s word every day provides the cure.

Today's thought “Who sing idle songs” (November 28)

“Who sing idle songs”

(November 28)

Do you sing songs? What kind of songs? When? Our world is full of songs, especially ones you listen to; this generation can walk around with leads plugged into their ears; we hear that a few have died, or at least been badly injured for life, because they have tried to cross roads and been oblivious of the traffic!

Our reading in Amos prompted these thoughts. Today’s chapter (6) starts, “Woe to those who are at ease … those who feel secure …” It is these “who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp” (verse 5). God gives Amos a message about how he sees the situation – and the future that is coming – the parallels with today are obvious.

“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches … who drink bowls of wine …” (verses 4,6). Like today, they set out to enjoy life, ignoring God and living only for the present. Yesterday in chapter 5 we read of God’s reaction, “Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen” (verse 23). In contrast the next verse sets out God’s desire, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an overflowing stream”.

We know that it will need the return of our Lord Jesus for that to happen in our world: but, in those days, the people of Israel had no inclination to think about the future and God through Amos told them, “O you who put far away the day of disaster …” (6:3). But the day of disaster came! And it will also come to this world.

God through Amos said, “For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins” (5:12). That is true for us also, but we have the Lord Jesus and the wonder of his grace – and he challenges us to work on purifying ourselves – remember yesterday’s thoughts?

Tomorrow we start reading Hebrews, glancing ahead to chapter 4 our concluding thoughts are – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword … discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart …” (verse 12). What do we read? How do we read? What kind of songs do we listen to and sing? God knows! What kind of person are we becoming – or have become! If the answer is not good, there is still time to fill our lamps with oil and stop walking in darkness.

Today's thought “Nothing is pure” (November 27)

We do not know as much about Titus as we do about Timothy, but Paul left him in Crete to help the many converts there. Paul writes to him, “to Titus, my true child … in the common faith” (1:4). Of course the faith was only “common” in the sense that it was becoming common to believe the message. But that brings its own problems, as some want to join a common enterprise for less than good reasons and real conviction.

Titus had been left in Crete (verse 5) “so that you might put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town” and these elders must be “above reproach” and have “one wife … and his children are believers” (verse 6). Those he appoints should be “hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined … (they) must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that (they) may be able to give instruction on sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it” (verses 8,9).

Then, as now, true believers shine as lights in a dark world. We recall what Paul wrote to those in Corinth, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). But do our hearts react to this light in the right way? Sadly not, we need to be constantly aware of the true nature and wonder of that divine light. At Crete some were not, Paul was aware some were “upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach” (verse 11).

Paul makes the point, “to the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving,nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works” (verses 15,16).

Our actions must match the things we profess. We show to God by how we live, by what we do with our time, also by what we read and watch, whether what we profess is really genuine. God sees all! (Remember Balaam’s admission when forced to acknowledge the true God! – read Numbers 24:2,4.)

We are not expected to be perfect, but we are in training for perfection! In this training period we are covered by the wonder of His grace. Notice how Paul expresses this. “Forthe grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives …” (2:11,12). Our Lord is the ultimate example, he “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous …” (2:14).

Do you feel in your heart that you are in the process of becoming pure?

"IF YOU KEEP SILENT" Bible Reading Thoughts for 28/11/13

 We are reading the dramatic story of Esther and how she became the Queen of King Ahasuerus.   Haman comes on the scene and wins the King’s favour, but Esther’s uncle, Mordecai declines to honour him by bowing down as he passes.  A proud man, Haman decides to destroy, not only Mordecai but also all the Jews and he sends out an edict in the King’s name, for this to happen in month of Adar – chosen by lot (3 v.7).  But this is 11 months away!

     Mordecai now stands at “the king’s gate” [4 v.2] dressed in sackcloth.  Esther, within the Palace is not aware of the first of these events.  As a Jew, should she speak up?  She has not had an audience with the king for 30 days (v.11) – this only happens when the king calls you: it would cost you your life if you came before the king uninvited, unless he held out the golden scepter. 

     Mordecai sends a message to her, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews,  For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place … who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” [v.13-15] .    

     Mordecai is conscious of the over-riding hand of God in affairs, causing “all things to work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” – as Paul told the Romans (8 v.28)  The “good” is the good of God’s purpose in the all-seeing perspective of the Creator who sees “the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46 v,10).

     Paul is making a parallel point in his letter to Philemon that we also read today. This was about Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus who had now become a believer.  Paul comments, “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever; no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a beloved brother.” [v.15,16]

     Let us not “keep silent” in testifying to the truth when challenging situations arise!  If we really believe we are in the service of God because we now, spiritually, belong to his son, having taken on his name, we will become more and more conscious that God has the oversight of our lives and so “all things” are working “together for good”. We need to have the ‘vision’ Mordecai wanted Esther to have. . 

"HOLD FIRM TO THE TRUSTWORTHY WORD" Bible Reading Thoughts for Nov. 27th

“HOLD FIRM TO THE TRUSTWORTHY WORD”

     What things really matter?  Today we read the 3 short chapters that make up the whole of Paul’s powerful letter to Titus who is described as “my true child in a common faith.” [v.4]  There is one “faith” which should be “common” to everyone; but the many parts of Christendom shows that is now far from the case.

.   The Apostle says, “I left you in Crete that you might put what remained into order” [1 v.5]  His first step is to “appoint elders in every town”   They must be married men of such a calibre that “his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.” [v.6]  Obviously they are experienced older men.

     There follows a list of the qualities such elders must possess; “lovers of good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke them who contradict it.” [v.9]

     Sadly in Crete “there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party” [v.10]   - that is, those with a Jewish heritage, they are “teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” [v.11]

     Just as sadly, the effort to make money, sometimes a lot of money, out of practicing religion has been seen in every generation.  Paul stresses that Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works”. Titus is told, “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority.” [2 v.14,15]

     Now that God’s word is so freely available everyone should regularly feed their minds on it.  It is “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives …” [2 v.12]

    May it be that you are making – indeed – have made – great progress in your “training” and are holding firm to God’s trustworthy word.”