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"Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name'" (2 Chronicles 6:7-9)
The land was at peace from war. The people were joyfully unified under a single king and that was David, the man after God's own heart. And even as he lounged in the beautiful cedar palace that had been built for him out of precious lumber provided by Hiram, king of Tyre, still there was something unsettled in David's heart. You see, he enjoyed a luxurious palatial mansion while the Ark of the Covenant sat in a tent. And to the king such an inequality was just not right. David thus determined in his heart that he would build a true temple for the honor and glory of Jehovah.
In these words, beloved, we hear Solomon, the son of David, speaking to those who gathered for the official dedication of the very temple that David had wanted to build. What had happened, however, was that David had not built the temple but Solomon had! God had spoken to David through Nathan the prophet and had let him know that it simply was not His purpose to allow David to build the temple. Consider with me several key truths relevant to us today, beloved, that can be drawn from the example of the king of Israel desiring to do what was in his heart to do.
Note first that it is always a good thing to genuinely desire to be of service to God. In explaining to David why he could not build the temple, God in no way disparaged the desire that was in His servant's heart. In fact, God went so far as to let David know that he "did well" by having such a desire. Thus, though David's desire to build a temple for God was a very noble purpose, the ultimate purpose of God was nobler still! There may be times in life, beloved, when you and I want very much to do this or that in service to God, but it simply will not be part of God's purpose for us to do that. Whenever that may happen, be encouraged in knowing that God is still well-pleased that such a noble desire is in your heart. That is a good thing!
Note also how David responded to God's gentle but resolute refusal to allow him to build the temple. Today we are so prone to see "foot-stomping" or "name-calling" in the visible church whenever we are not allowed to do whatever it is that we want to do. We see people even leave churches because something they want to see happen does not go their way. That is so very sad indeed! Note closely how David responded to God's "no" by trusting God's judgment and accepting God's nobler purpose over his own noble desire to serve the Lord. How do you and I respond whenever God says "no" to something that is very important to us? It is always a good thing to accept God's nobler purpose when it is different than the desire of our hearts.
But note finally, beloved, how David took God's gentle "no" and turned it into a very positive "yes" in a way that proved not only to be a blessing to his own heart, but to the entire nation of Israel as well.
"Then King David said to the entire assembly, 'My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced and the work is great; for the temple is not for man, but for the Lord God. Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and the wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance'" (1 Chronicles 29:1-2)
Do you see it, beloved? Instead of stomping his foot or storming away in anger, David accepted from God what he could not do and then settled down immediately to do what he could do! If David could not himself build the temple, then he could gather and provide the materials that Solomon would need to build it. And that is precisely what David did. When God for whatever reason says "no" to whatever it is that you want to do, beloved, know first that as noble as your desire may be, His desire is nobler still. Know also that He is well-pleased with the genuine desire of your heart to serve Him. And know finally that, while He may not let you do what you want to do, you can always be willing to do whatever you can. It is a good thing to always do what we can for God whenever we cannot do what we want to do.
Is there a genuine desire in your heart to serve God? Have you taken it to Him to find if your noble desire fits His ultimate purpose? Are you willing to accept either a "yes" or a "no" and to then do what you can for His glory?
Ron
Monday, March 26, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Manner of a Betrayer
"And they all left Him and fled" (Mark 14:50)
When it comes to being a betrayer, beloved, Judas Iscariot sure gets all the press. And rightly so! Surely no word in the English language is any uglier than "betray." And to sell out someone for money is certainly the most venomous act imaginable. So stand up in that spotlight, Judas. You earned it!
But was Judas the only betrayer on that night of horrors? I don't think so. Mark has recorded for us here that at the point when the disciples saw that Jesus was taken there in the Garden of Gethsemane, they bolted and scattered like scared rabbits. But is that even the moment when in their own way they too betrayed the Lord?
Back up with me just a bit before Judas and the mob of religious leaders, Roman soldiers, and temple police descended upon them that night. It was still quiet and they had the garden to themselves. Jesus had only made one request of them. He had told them that He was heading for the cross but they absolutely refused to accept it. So when He asked them to watch and pray with Him, they did not see the need. What did they do? It is difficult to believe what they did!
"And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?'" (v. 37)
Not only did Peter and James and John fall asleep on that occasion, beloved, but Jesus went away and prayed twice more and each time came back and found them in slumber. It was as if He had never made any request of them at all! Finally, when Judas and the others were in sight, Jesus had to wake them one final time so that together they could go and face what was coming. And at that moment, having slept away their opportunity to stand with Him, they ran away!
As I think about my own life today, I must confess that there has been at times the manner of a betrayer in me as well. I know that there have been occasions when I should have prayed but did not, should have been alert but was not, should have spoken but stayed silent, should have stood up but fell back. And in those times, beloved, I was as much a "betrayer" of the Lamb of God as were the disciples that night. Think of the opportunities you may have missed yourself to stay the course, to reach out in love, to speak an encouraging word, to extend much-needed forgiveness. There is something, then, of a "betrayer" in all of us.
The thought of the disciples running away from the soldiers and temple police that night, and especially the memory of my own such failures, have filled me with the determination that they will not occur again. As a follower of Christ I am determined to stand with Him, to speak for Him, to go where He goes and to be everything He wants me to be. Want to come along?
Ron
When it comes to being a betrayer, beloved, Judas Iscariot sure gets all the press. And rightly so! Surely no word in the English language is any uglier than "betray." And to sell out someone for money is certainly the most venomous act imaginable. So stand up in that spotlight, Judas. You earned it!
But was Judas the only betrayer on that night of horrors? I don't think so. Mark has recorded for us here that at the point when the disciples saw that Jesus was taken there in the Garden of Gethsemane, they bolted and scattered like scared rabbits. But is that even the moment when in their own way they too betrayed the Lord?
Back up with me just a bit before Judas and the mob of religious leaders, Roman soldiers, and temple police descended upon them that night. It was still quiet and they had the garden to themselves. Jesus had only made one request of them. He had told them that He was heading for the cross but they absolutely refused to accept it. So when He asked them to watch and pray with Him, they did not see the need. What did they do? It is difficult to believe what they did!
"And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?'" (v. 37)
Not only did Peter and James and John fall asleep on that occasion, beloved, but Jesus went away and prayed twice more and each time came back and found them in slumber. It was as if He had never made any request of them at all! Finally, when Judas and the others were in sight, Jesus had to wake them one final time so that together they could go and face what was coming. And at that moment, having slept away their opportunity to stand with Him, they ran away!
As I think about my own life today, I must confess that there has been at times the manner of a betrayer in me as well. I know that there have been occasions when I should have prayed but did not, should have been alert but was not, should have spoken but stayed silent, should have stood up but fell back. And in those times, beloved, I was as much a "betrayer" of the Lamb of God as were the disciples that night. Think of the opportunities you may have missed yourself to stay the course, to reach out in love, to speak an encouraging word, to extend much-needed forgiveness. There is something, then, of a "betrayer" in all of us.
The thought of the disciples running away from the soldiers and temple police that night, and especially the memory of my own such failures, have filled me with the determination that they will not occur again. As a follower of Christ I am determined to stand with Him, to speak for Him, to go where He goes and to be everything He wants me to be. Want to come along?
Ron
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Grabbing for the Brass Ring
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)
Anyone who has been around as long as I have will surely remember personally the "brass ring" that riders of the old carousel at the fun park used to try to grab as they rode 'round and 'round on their paint-gilded hobby horse. For those of you younger than that, well, you'll just have to watch some old movies of that era. What fun it was to try to "grab the brass ring" as you whirled around and past it each time. Reaching... reaching... reaching... stretching a little further each time until you got it. The part I can't remember is whether or not you got a free ride on the carousel when you did succeed in grabbing that ring. Hmm! Maybe someone older than I can help me out with that one.
Today it seems that when it comes to the mercy and forgiveness of God, many of us are likewise trying to "grab the brass ring" as we go around in life. We love to quote this very same verse of Scripture each time that we mess up and stand in need of forgiveness. Unfortunately, that same forgiveness so readily available to us becomes for us a "brass ring" that is right there within reach. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. 'Round and 'round she goes. After a while, you don't even notice or care about the messing up part anymore simply because, after all, you've always got God's "brass ring"!
Maybe it's time to climb down off that carousel for a moment and take a closer look at something else that the Apostle John wrote in this same passage.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin" (2:1)
Hold it right there! Did you catch that, beloved? God's willingness to forgive us when we mess up is not just some spiritual "brass ring" that dangles in front of us and all we have to do is not think about it but just grab it next time around. He clearly wants us to think about our choices before we make them. In fact, John makes it clear that God would rather not have to forgive us at all! As willing as He is to forgive and cleanse us when we do sin, He would much rather that we not need that forgiveness in the first place.
I don't know about you, but I think that I've ridden that old carousel enough. I'm ready to start taking more seriously the need to walk in holiness before Him and not just be glad I've got a brass ring to grab so that I can be forgiven. Want to join me?
Ron
Anyone who has been around as long as I have will surely remember personally the "brass ring" that riders of the old carousel at the fun park used to try to grab as they rode 'round and 'round on their paint-gilded hobby horse. For those of you younger than that, well, you'll just have to watch some old movies of that era. What fun it was to try to "grab the brass ring" as you whirled around and past it each time. Reaching... reaching... reaching... stretching a little further each time until you got it. The part I can't remember is whether or not you got a free ride on the carousel when you did succeed in grabbing that ring. Hmm! Maybe someone older than I can help me out with that one.
Today it seems that when it comes to the mercy and forgiveness of God, many of us are likewise trying to "grab the brass ring" as we go around in life. We love to quote this very same verse of Scripture each time that we mess up and stand in need of forgiveness. Unfortunately, that same forgiveness so readily available to us becomes for us a "brass ring" that is right there within reach. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. 'Round and 'round she goes. After a while, you don't even notice or care about the messing up part anymore simply because, after all, you've always got God's "brass ring"!
Maybe it's time to climb down off that carousel for a moment and take a closer look at something else that the Apostle John wrote in this same passage.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin" (2:1)
Hold it right there! Did you catch that, beloved? God's willingness to forgive us when we mess up is not just some spiritual "brass ring" that dangles in front of us and all we have to do is not think about it but just grab it next time around. He clearly wants us to think about our choices before we make them. In fact, John makes it clear that God would rather not have to forgive us at all! As willing as He is to forgive and cleanse us when we do sin, He would much rather that we not need that forgiveness in the first place.
I don't know about you, but I think that I've ridden that old carousel enough. I'm ready to start taking more seriously the need to walk in holiness before Him and not just be glad I've got a brass ring to grab so that I can be forgiven. Want to join me?
Ron
Friday, March 2, 2012
I Was Just Thinking...
"Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22)
It seems that the nation is divided...again. People seem torn between what is and is not a "right," what should or should not be provided free of charge. You've heard the news report, I'm quite sure. A young lady in law school feels that her health insurance coverage should include free prescriptions for contraceptives because she cannot afford to pay - what was it - $3,000 to cover her needs during her years in school? So the nation is divided...again: those for yet another government entitlement and those for personal responsibility.
I was just thinking...
Has anyone yet given any thought to the very obvious spiritual needs of this young lady's heart, not to mention the reported 40% of her fellow female students who according to her testimony before Congress are facing the same situation? Has anyone yet stepped forward to say that to be involved in extra-marital sexual relationships not only offends the holiness of God but grieves His tender heart because of His love for the offender?
So I was just thinking...
This young lady is, of course, only an indication of the moral breakdown that is happening across the length and breadth of the United States. From a president who declares publicly that we are "no longer a Christian nation" to a society that believes not only that nothing is off-limits but that the government should pay for it, we are facing perilous times here in the land that we love. Freedom of religion and worship are under attack from the very source that swore an oath to protect it and anyone at all can see that things are not likely to improve much in the foreseeable future.
But I was just thinking...
What's a Christian to do today? Is it as hopeless as it appears? Will the forces of evil and the powers of darkness prevail? The good news is that the answer to each of those questions is a resounding "No!" It is not hopeless and Satan will not prevail. But what is a Christian to do? Paul in writing to Timothy has answered that question beautifully for us. We are first of all to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness. In case you didn't get that, it means to run away from the first and chase after the second. Can you imagine the impact of every true believer in the United States of America all at the same time deciding to pursue daily a lifestyle of personal righteousness? Paul also urged Timothy to pursue "faith, love, and peace" and that is something that we can all do together. We can show this misguided world of ours what life can be like when we live by God's standards and not those of man.
And I was just thinking...
Doesn't this seem to you to be a wonderful time to renew our zeal for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ? I know a young lady in law school who needs to hear that Jesus loves her and gave His life to forgive her and to transform her. And she needs that gospel as surely as you and I need it today! What we must realize, beloved, is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real hope that the United States of America has. No president, political party, or member of Congress can fix what is wrong with us. But God can and He will if we are willing to be His instruments.
So what do you think?
Ron
It seems that the nation is divided...again. People seem torn between what is and is not a "right," what should or should not be provided free of charge. You've heard the news report, I'm quite sure. A young lady in law school feels that her health insurance coverage should include free prescriptions for contraceptives because she cannot afford to pay - what was it - $3,000 to cover her needs during her years in school? So the nation is divided...again: those for yet another government entitlement and those for personal responsibility.
I was just thinking...
Has anyone yet given any thought to the very obvious spiritual needs of this young lady's heart, not to mention the reported 40% of her fellow female students who according to her testimony before Congress are facing the same situation? Has anyone yet stepped forward to say that to be involved in extra-marital sexual relationships not only offends the holiness of God but grieves His tender heart because of His love for the offender?
So I was just thinking...
This young lady is, of course, only an indication of the moral breakdown that is happening across the length and breadth of the United States. From a president who declares publicly that we are "no longer a Christian nation" to a society that believes not only that nothing is off-limits but that the government should pay for it, we are facing perilous times here in the land that we love. Freedom of religion and worship are under attack from the very source that swore an oath to protect it and anyone at all can see that things are not likely to improve much in the foreseeable future.
But I was just thinking...
What's a Christian to do today? Is it as hopeless as it appears? Will the forces of evil and the powers of darkness prevail? The good news is that the answer to each of those questions is a resounding "No!" It is not hopeless and Satan will not prevail. But what is a Christian to do? Paul in writing to Timothy has answered that question beautifully for us. We are first of all to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness. In case you didn't get that, it means to run away from the first and chase after the second. Can you imagine the impact of every true believer in the United States of America all at the same time deciding to pursue daily a lifestyle of personal righteousness? Paul also urged Timothy to pursue "faith, love, and peace" and that is something that we can all do together. We can show this misguided world of ours what life can be like when we live by God's standards and not those of man.
And I was just thinking...
Doesn't this seem to you to be a wonderful time to renew our zeal for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ? I know a young lady in law school who needs to hear that Jesus loves her and gave His life to forgive her and to transform her. And she needs that gospel as surely as you and I need it today! What we must realize, beloved, is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real hope that the United States of America has. No president, political party, or member of Congress can fix what is wrong with us. But God can and He will if we are willing to be His instruments.
So what do you think?
Ron
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