Today's thought “Therefore God is not ashamed” (December 4)

God ashamed? What is this verse saying? What is it about? Today’s reading in Hebrews is that well known chapter 11 on FAITH. We should all be familiar with the words, that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (verse 1). What are the things we are convinced about – things that give reality to our future expectations – going far beyond the things we hope to achieve in this life?

Verse 6 is often quoted as a powerful personal challenge to us, “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God, must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”. It is sad that so few have a real genuine conviction that there is a God – and more than that – that we can and must have a personal relationship with him, leading to a totally meaningful prayer life.

What a contrast with most of the Jews in the days of the prophets; they only had a relationship with him as part of a chosen nation and not in a personal sense; nevertheless they were proud of being “children of Abraham” (John 8:33) and this satisfied them. Is not this similar to ‘christians’ for whom membership of a church creates a sense of ‘relationship? Yet, as individuals, they and ourselves are without excuse if that is all our relationship consists of!

The Psalms of David are outstanding, if we will meditatively read them and see the reality of a personal relationship with God that can be developed – and when developed to the full, how wonderful it is, as David reveals in so many Psalms.

Verses 13-in today’s chapter cause us deep meditation. In the midst of naming significant men and women and the particular acts of faith in their lives, we read, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised …”. Abraham is the greatest example of this. Such men and women of genuine faith “acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth”. Such people found it impossible to fit in with ‘ordinary’ humans although they might attempt to, as Jacob did at times. Verse 16 makes the point “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city”. And that city is the new Jerusalem! (see Revelation 3:12 – the heavenly city to be established on earth).

Because of this, those with real faith desire something infinitely better than what this world offers – a world which is ‘empty’ of any vision of the future so that the people in it just live for the present.

But those with real faith, live so as to develop a real relationship with their Creator and the Saviour he provided and as a result “God is not ashamed to be called their God”. Make sure you develop that faith.

"THE REPROACH OF CHRIST" Bible Reading Thoughts for Dec. 4th

   The word “reproach” is not in common use these days, it means you are looked down upon because of something you are doing or have done. As a result you are often lower, often a lot lower, in people’s estimation. 

     Today’s familiar 11th chapter of Hebrews is well known to those who read the Bible; even to those who do not read it as often as they should.  It picks out the outstanding examples of faith exhibited by men of God of old – to illustrate what faith is – in practice! 

     We all talk, or should, of having faith, but we prove its’ reality by our actions.  The writer to the Hebrews, presumed to be Paul, highlights among others, Moses as a man who showed faith: he selects certain examples from his life.  “By faith Moses when he was grown up refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the (ultimate) reward.  By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” [v.24-27]

     It is interesting to consider the use of the phrase “the reproach of Christ” when Christ was not to come for almost 1500 years!  What is clear is that the writer sees Christ as the ultimate role model for those who endured reproach in living the life God required of them.   Moses experienced “the reproach of Christ” in considerable measure although we are left to imagine the details of the reactions in Pharaoh’s palace when his adopted grandson supported those he had chosen to make slaves.

     Today, maybe more than ever, there is a constant encouragement from a great many directions to “enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin”   How few think of their behaviour as “sin” – the word is synonymous with ‘godlessness.’ In his old age John was to observe,  “no one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.” [1 John 3 v.9]

     When one is “born of God” one endures “as seeing him who is invisible.”  Our constant reading and meditation on God’s word will enable this form of “seeing” to become more and more evident to us: a “seed” develops within us – made evident as we become more and more like Christ, proving we are an adopted child of God.   How clearly are you “seeing” that which is “invisible”? 

"LET US DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART" Thoughts from the Bible Readings for Dec. 3rd 2013

"LET US DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART"

    “A true heart” – we plucked out that phrase from our reading of Hebrews 10 with a question in our minds – who has a “true” heart”?   We are conscious that there are many passages in Scripture which emphasise the deceitfulness of the human heart, e.g., Jeremiah 17 v.9; Mark 7 v.21,22, etc.

     We finished reading Jonah today and it illustrated the lack of merciful thought in his heart and how God tried to get him to see the situation from the divine perspective.  Let us remember the teaching of Jesus on this: read Matt. 5 v.44-48. Of course, history shows that Nineveh’s repentance did not last into the following generations, but that is not the point. When printing was first invented the Bible was the first book available for all to read – and how eagerly it was read – in the 17^th Century – but that spirit did not last.

     In our reading in Hebrews ch. 10 we see how the writer (we presume it was Paul) plucks out 2 quotations from Jeremiah to illustrate the mercy of God:  “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more” (from Jeremiah

31 v.34)

     It is essential we have the right reaction in our hearts to the mercies of God.  We next read in Hebrews, “Therefore … since we have a great High Priest (Jesus) … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith …” [v.19,21,22]    

     Our hearts must now be “true” and constantly feeding on God’s word, and developing a real relationship with our High Priest. As we properly absorb the divine word into our minds we will build up the full reality of that sense of ‘truth’ in our relationship with God.  This will  lead us to “consider how to stir one another to love and good works” [v.24].  May our daily diligent reading of God’s word help in stirring our hearts and minds to remain “true.”  As a result we will be busy “encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”[v.25]

      Our chapter ends with a quotation from what God said to Habakkuk (which we will read next week), God told him “my righteous one(s) shall live by faith, (but) if he (or she) shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him (or her)”

     May we all be among “those who have faith and preserve their souls” – which are the words which end the chapter – leading to the start of tomorrow’s chapter and it’s challenging description of real faith as “the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.” Those who develop a “true heart” will also develop that “conviction.” 

Today's thought “You have need of …” (December 3 2013)

“You have need of …”

(December 3)

Is there anyone who thinks they do not need anything? With Christmas in 3 weeks’ time, the younger ones especially are thinking of the things they need and that it would be good to receive!

Our readings today in Hebrews say, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (10:36). Are you enduring?

We live in a world, at least in this country that is very impatient. It is said, this is the ‘NOW’ generation. Until recently it was easy (and still is to some extent) to get what you want ‘NOW’ – and pay later. The folly of living beyond ones’ income is becoming more evident. Some countries, especially in Europe, are learning this and are having to endure the pain of austerity.

But the Letter to Hebrews is about something entirely different. Paul tells them, “do not throw away your confidence which has great reward” (verse 35). We throw or give away the things we do not need!

But confidence? What do you and I have confidence in? Do we have confidence in God’s knowledge and oversight in all that happens as a result of the “freewill” he allows? What confidence do we have in what will happen in the future! God has oversight of that and can intervene as he chooses, as our readings frequently reveal; often we puzzle to know more exactly what they are alluding to (Zechariah 12:1-3 being an example in the light of Middle East events now) and in recent years.

We saw lessons illustrating his oversight in individual lives in our readings in Job and Jonah; both men had, at least temporarily, lost sight of the will of God working out a pathway in their lives. Are we any better? But if we really commit ourselves to be children of God and more and more live for him in faith – then we will sense more clearly His purpose in the things he allows (or causes) to happen in our own lives and in the world.

Take special notice of how Hebrews chapter 10 ends, “my righteous one shall (aim to) live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him (or her). But we are notof those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (verses 38,39). Wise men have written about ‘the power of positive thinking’ but Hebrews reminds us of the words of Jesus himself, “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:14). Let us try harder to see the “need of endurance” and put what we see into practice.

Today's thought Satan was wrong (December 2)

Today we started reading the book of Job; this is one of the most challenging books of the Bible for us to understand. Today’s chapters are the only ones in which the word satan occurs, and the ESV Bible we use has a footnote that, in the Hebrew, this word means “the adversary” – and one can find many verses in the Old Testament where it is translated that way (see 1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 5:4; 11:10,23,25; and the adversary is named – it is a specific human being).

We are inclined to agree with those who see this book, although based on a real historical person and event, as written as a drama or play to teach a spiritual lesson. We will be reading it for the rest of this month and its climax in the last chapter relates back to the first 2 or 3 chapters and we need to see this to get a full and balanced picture of the message this holy book has for us.

This adversary says to God, “all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face” (2:4,5). But ‘Satan’ is wrong! Then Job’s wife, in a sense, becomes an adversary telling him to “Curse God and die”. But he says to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (verses 9,10).

We can perceive that God allows the bad experiences in life on occasions to test us out, to shape our character.No sailor learns to sail if the sea is always calm. Think of the mixture of events that shaped David’s character after his great faith in slaying Goliath.

When we come to the end of the book (42:1-6), we see the events of the first 2 chapters in their total context with the early ‘disasters’. In the end Job has dramatic contact with God leading to a deep appreciation of his position before God and a relationship with God that he never previously possessed.

All he had lost is restored to him – and more. We see this as a picture of the blessings in store after the resurrection. If life is all smooth sailing, with no challenges to our faith, we will not develop an urgent sense of the need to develop a full relationship with God and His Son. Also, we will not achieve a true sense of humility and submission to God’s will. Can we say to God, like Jesus did, “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). The book of Job has valuable lessons for the really diligent reader: hopefully that includes you.

"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.