"NOT TO US. O LORD"

“NOT TO US O LORD”

     Our Psalm 115 reading starts, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory …”  Human nature is such that all glorying – that is, praising, worshipping and adulation, reflects back, at least in some measure, on themselves, there is enjoyment in doing it – television reports repeatedly illustrate this.

     The Psalmist is conscious of this human tendency – and his Psalm should be seen as a prayer about ‘escaping’ from the inclination to do this.   He proceeds to observe that “those who make them (idols) become like them, so do all who trust in them.”[v.8]  And so the spirit of human adulation operates in a reflective way – back to the worshippers.  But “not to us O LORD” – our worship, our prayers, ascend to heaven, to the throne of grace – let us make sure they are said in a genuine ‘Christ-like’ spirit.

     Paul makes a vital point in today’s 9^th chapter of 2^nd Corinthians.  He writes about how believers, when necessary, should help each other in a “material” way making the point, “each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” [v.7]  He then adds, “and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever” [v.8,9]  

     Spiritually – we see all giving as giving to the Lord – and all receiving – as receiving from the Lord.  This is an attitude which human nature can undermine, but our daily reading and reflection on God’s word is a ‘cure’ that prevents this so that, as a result, we truly feel in our hearts, “Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory”

"WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD" Thoughts from the Bible Readings for March 6th

“WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD”                                                                                                                                                           

    We often think of the occasion the disciples showed Jesus the grandeur of the Temple (Mark 13 v.1,2). What was in their minds?  They, like their fellow Jews, were proud of it.  Jesus totally shocked them by saying it was all going to be destroyed! 

    Now in today’s reading in 2^nd Corinthians (chs.5, 6 & 7) Paul shows how a new kind of Temple had been “erected”.   God seeks to dwell in a new ‘Most Holy Place’ and this development is the most important thing in the life of a believer. 

    Paul writes, “we are the temple of the living God, as God has said …” [Ch. 6 v.16]. He then quotes the words of God we will read later this month in Leviticus (ch.26 see v.11,12) of the blessings to come if they follow his precepts.   We specially notice God’s words to Moses that Paul felt he could ‘powerfully’ quote in his letter?

    “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them … then I will welcome you and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” [v.16-18]  

    What are they to go out from?  They had left the fleshpots of Egypt, but sadly many now wanted to return. Paul then paraphrases the words in Leviticus,  “since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit bringing holiness to completion in the fear (awe) of God” [Ch.7 v.1]  How incomplete is my holiness – we must each ask ourselves? 

    In recognising that our minds and hearts are the spiritual temple in which God seeks to live – indeed – is now living - we must each ask ourselves - what occupied my mind yesterday, will there be a change today in the things I think about and meditate upon?  It is vital that we are positive in reacting to this challenge – how utterly wonderful to have God in our very being, watching over us!   We therefore see how important it is that we read God’s word every day, for  isn’t that what should happen in “the temple of the living God.”. 

" ... IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY"

2 Cor 4 Paul speaks of the wonderful gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we have received by mercy.

And because of this, "we faint (weary) not", he continues "but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed DAY BY DAY".  We have an echo straight back to the words of Jesus "Give us DAY BY DAY our daily bread", and as I am sure we are aware, Jesus' words don't just speak of the literal bread but also of the spiritual bread of the word (the manna).

Which again takes us to the words of our Master:
"And Jesus..., saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Pray that we feast on the spiritual food which is there for us if we will give the time and effort to open the word, study, meditate upon it and apply it to our lives DAY BY DAY.
“… IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY”

     What interesting and, in some ways, challenging readings we had this morning: first, we read of the detailed guidance given in Moses’ law as to what could be eaten – and what avoided.  Also – what happened to make articles of wood, garments and vessels “unclean” and whether cleansing was possible. [Lev. 11 v.32-35 &c] Here is valuable advice on hygiene which were not re-discovered until less than 200 years ago. But spiritual hygiene is even more important!

     Then we came to Psalm 110, so often quoted in the New Testament. Christ brought to an end the Mosaic law, he nailed it to his cross ( Col. 2 v.14)  and instead became “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” [v.4]  His role as that Priest will one day, maybe very soon, become powerfully evident for the next verses read, “”The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs (leaders) …” [v.5,6]

     When we come to Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Corinthians we specially note his point that believers must “let light shine out of darkness” because it “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” [Ch, 4 v.6].,  So let us shine spiritually – and as a result of this shining we have seen “grace extend(s) to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” {v.15,16]

     An essential part of that daily renewal is to feed our minds on God’s word, we have seen this today, “for we walk by faith, not by sight … for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”  [5 v.7,10]  Note – he speaks of the body, Paul told the Thessalonians, “Encourage one another, and build one another up” [1 Thess 5 v.11] Let us walk with ever firmer and surer steps as we feed and are “renewed day by day” and seek ways to renew each other.

"I WILL BE SANCTIFIED" Bible Reading Thoughts for March 4th

We read today wonderful words of comfort:

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Cor 1)

The word comfort and it's gk root is used x10 in x5 verses in this 1st ch. And is further repeated throughout this letter. The root is from x2 gk words, one = near and the other = near, therefore the gk has the idea and intent, to call near for a purpose, ie to comfort, to exhort, to teach, to provoke.

We see in its usage that this is done by brethren:
Barnabas see the grace of God in the number of those who turned to God in Antioch, and was glad and EXHORTED/COMFORTED, that with all purpose of heart they should cleave/hold fast unto Christ (Acts 11:23)
Paul and Barnabas strengthened the brethren, and EXHORTED/COMFORTED them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22)
Paul sent Timothy to establish/strengthen the brethren in Thessalonica COMFORT/EXHORT them concerning their faith (1 Thess 3:2)

Let us never forget the impact we can have on anothers faith (both +vely and -vely), let never cease to be there to support and comfort our brothers and sisters, until the day of our Masters return.
I WILL BE SANCTIFIED                                                                                                                                     

‘Sanctified’ means recognized as holy, set apart from the commonplace; treating a situation or place with all reverence.  Above all, this must be our attitude toward God.  In our Leviticus reading today we see the dramatic and disastrous result of a failure to do this.

Imagine being there with all the wonder of the tabernacle and the manifestation of the actual presence of God as worship in it began!  We read “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offerings … [9 v.23,24].  As a result human attitudes of reverence and humility should have been paramount.  The reaction at the time was totally understandable, “they shouted and fell on their faces” [v.24].

Aaron had 4 sons, all were involved in assisting their father and today’s chapter tells us how tragedy overwhelmed two of them.  In the way we speak today we might judge that their position of importance went to their head!  Nadab and Abihu “each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD which he had not commanded them” [10 v.1]

The result was terrifying for they “died before the LORD” as fire from him “consumed them” [v.2]  Moses then says to Aaron, “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified” [v.3] 

There is a vital lesson here for everyone who seeks to serve God and have a close relationship with him: this applies to Christians just as much as to Israelites. Several examples of a failure to do this come to mind.  One is the practice of christening of babies in many churches which is not mentioned in the Bible – or even hinted at – instead the followers of Christ practiced baptism, which is described as “an appeal to God for a good conscience” [1 Peter 3 v.21]  Another, is the teaching of people of a “different gospel” to “distort the gospel of Christ.” [Galatians 1 v.v.6,7]  Paul says, “let him be accursed” [v.9] who does that – and this is what happened to two of the sons of Aaron. A most important lesson for us as we follow Christ and the Apostles, doing so in ways which truly follow the example they set and the words they preached.

"LET THEM THANK THE LORD FOR ..." Bible Reading Thoughts for Mar. 3rd

Psalm 107 we have repeated x3 "city of habitation" (v4 (RV),7,36)

v6
THEY, the children of Israel (the ecclesia), wandered in the wilderness, in the solitary (lit = desert/waste) way, and THEY found no city of habitation.

v7 - What a contrast once they had cried unto YAHWEH:
"And He led them forth by the right/straight way, that they might go to a city of habitation"

v35-36 - what is that city of habitation?
"He turneth the wilderness into a pool of standing water, and dry ground into watersprings (what a HUGE contrast to the wilderness). And there He maketh the hungry to dwell, that THEY may prepare a city of habitation"

We are a people who have been redeemed from our own wanderingings in the wilderness, and have been led unto a city of habitation.  That we be builders of Gods temple, and as reminded by Paul (1 Cor 3:7) and planters and cultivators of Gods field, as we see here in v37 "and sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which (by Gods grace) may yield fruits of increase", unto His glory.

“LET THEM THANK THE LORD FOR …”

     Four times in our Psalms reading today (107) we come to a verse that requests a certain action.  “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love , for his wondrous works to the children of men.” (v.8,15,21,31)    Then the Psalm ends with the statement, “Whoever is wise let him attend to these things: let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.”

      So in being “wise” we get our minds to understand and appreciate the actions of the LORD in attending to – or responding to – the actions or inaction of human beings in the way they live their lives in the sight of God, whether they “see” their Creator – or blindfold themselves – or are simply indifferent toward him.

     When you think about it there are clear comparisons to that of children toward their parents as they grow up.  And of course there is often considerable failure,, especially these days, in the “wisdom” of human parents in the way they train their children,   But we are dealing with the wonderful divine parent, isn’t this the reason why we call him our “Heavenly Father.”  

     Verse 17 states, “Some were fools through their sinful ways and because of their iniquities suffered affliction.”  We can see parallels in these words with life today.  Our world has totally ceased to look to God’s word; they have more or less abandoned belief in him and so the time will come, as verses 26,27 tells us,when “their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.” 

      This is the spirit that is starting to ‘swamp’ our world more and more; with what astonishment will the world see divine action taking place to prevent humans from destroying God’s creation and, in the process, themselves.  The prophets warn of God’s ultimate actions, for example through Jeremiah he speaks of the time coming when “the LORD has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh … Thus says the LORD of hosts; Behold disaster is going forth from nation to nation …” [Ch.25 v. 31,32]    At that time as v.42 of our Psalm states, “The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.”  Let us make sure we are among those who “thank the LORD … for his wondrous works”  in bringing peace out of utter chaos.

"BAD COMPANY RUINS GOOD MORALS" Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings - March 2nd

"BAD COMPANY RUINS GOOD MORALS"                                                                                            

    We pondered why the above saying rather suddenly occurs in today’s very moving and oft quoted 15^th chapter of 1 Corinthians.  Parts of this chapter are often read at funerals, it contains a powerful testimony to the certainty of resurrection and that “in Christ shall all be made alive” [v.22] eternally “at his coming” adding the qualification “those who belong to Christ” [v.23]

    We must not cease to “belong to Christ” but that is not the same as belonging to a group of believers, one can do that, but in one’s heart have ceased to belong to Christ – even though we have been baptised. Paul says that among the Corinthians, “some have no knowledge of God, I say this to your shame” [v.34]  He writes this immediately after making the point, “Do not be deceived,bad company ruins good morals.”

    We are surrounded by people who do not believe in the God of the Bible, but that is not the same as having “no knowledge of God” in the sense Paul meant in this chapter.  Look how the Bible uses this phrase.  Read Proverbs 2 v.1-5 and note the “ifs” that lead to one having a “knowledge of God” and then the prayer of Jesus in John 17 v.3, 25.  In these and similar passages we see that in having a “knowledge of God” we must, as a result, have a real relationship with him.

    It is “bad company” that will undermine our “knowledge of God” and then destroy that relationship or prevent it ever happening. But what is “bad company?”  Today it occurs in dangerous and new ways.  Television provides us with “company” and much of it qualifies as “bad company”!  As we see badness multiplying in the world – often all around us – we recognise that TV is a powerful influence in this.  As a result human behaviour is displaying more and more selfish self-love and animal like instincts.  Over and above the effects of much that is on TV, most now have regular access to the Internet – which offers a whole range of opportunities for even worse “bad company.”

    Returning to our chapter we notice the last 2 verses,  “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved … be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”  

"HIS JUDGMENTS ARE IN ALL THE EARTH" Bible Reading Thoughts for March 1st

“HIS JUDGMENTS ARE IN ALL THE EARTH”

     Our Psalms reading (105) stresses that God is fully conscious of all that happens among his creation.  Many examples are given that illustrate the reality of what Paul told the Athenians, that God “is actually not far from each one of us” [Acts 17 v.27) that “we have our being” within the Divine presence and, as Job expressed it, “In his hand is the life of every living thing” [12 v.10]  Look at some of the illustrations of this in today’s Psalm, note how it tells us to “seek the LORD and his strength; his presence continually.” [v.4]

    We do not have to travel to seek his presence, we need to start each day by doing that: we need to “remember the wondrous works that he has done.” [v.5]  These works are seen, both in creation, and in the wonderful way “all things work together” (see Romans 8 v.28) to achieve God’s purpose.  This is seen in history; David reminds us of “his miracles, and the judgments he uttered” to the “offspring of Abraham” [v.5,6].  But it is not just with Israel that God is involved, “his judgments are in all the earth” [v.7] and the full reality and climax of this will be seen when Jesus returns.

    The detail of the divine involvement in human life is made clear in our Leviticus reading (ch. 5 & 6). We read of more of the divine laws being put in place to cause the nation being formed in the wilderness to become a genuine “”holy nation” (Exod. 19 v.6).  Sadly, they failed in this. David and his son Solomon did their best in their days to lead the people into becoming a holy nation.  Then God’s son came to inspire people to develop personal holiness.  The aim must be, as we will read next week in Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Corinthians, to “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” [7 v.1]

     In our chapter today Paul is urgently encouraging them to “let all things be done for building up … for God is not the author of confusion but of peace …” [14 v.33].  Confusion comes when God’s word is not read properly – we should not pick and choose the parts which suit us, fully realizing that when “his judgments are in all the earth” when Christ returns,  “then each of us will give account of him(her)self to God.” [Rom. 14 v. 12]  Let us “seek … his strength and “his presence continually.”