Thanks to the LORD

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” ESV Psalm 118:1

It seems that everyone readily admits that for well over a year we have been enduring tough economic times here in the U.S. and abroad. While some industries and families are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel others are still held fast by the recession’s grip and many people have endured (and are enduring still) great personal trials during this time. How difficult is it to cultivate a thankful heart during such times as these?

Paul admonished the Thessalonians to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) even though they were living in a community that had its share of problems. The Psalmist in our passage today on the other hand admonishes us to be thankful for the right reasons; because God is good and because his love endures. He also notes the recipient of our thanks; God. So, even in times like these, we too should give thanks to God.

I’m reminded of a Puritan prayer, The Valley of Vision, from a book bearing the same title and edited by Arthur Bennett. It goes like this:

Lord, High and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,

were I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty

thy glory in my valley.

Yes, these are difficult times; a valley you might say. Let’s actively search for God’s glory in this valley while remembering and being thankful that God is good and that his love will never leave us.

Deceptive Appearances

“On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it.” ESV Mark 11:12-14

Jesus is God. That is a recurring theme in Mark. Over and over Mark gives testimony to Jesus’ deity and he does so once more in these verses. Who can speak commands to a tree and have them come to pass? Only God. But, one might counter that Jesus was a man because God would certainly have no need of food; and that too is affirmed in our verses. In referring to Jesus’ dual nature, some people use the term God-man because Jesus is fully God yet also was fully man for a season. Perhaps his Old Testament name, Immanuel (which means God with us), is the name most descriptive of his nature while on earth.

While Jesus’ dual nature is certainly true and affirmed in our passage, I’d ask you to focus your thoughts on the deceptive appearance of the fig tree for a moment. Figs, our passage tells us, were not yet in season, but from a distance this particular fig tree was deceiving because it gave the appearance of bearing fruit. It was in full leaf, which was a sign that it should likewise be loaded with fruit. So, Jesus made his way to the tree, no doubt anticipating selecting a few choice figs and satisfying his hunger. Profound disappointment replaced hopeful anticipation as Jesus searched the tree for fruit and the tree received his scorn.

Now consider this. If Jesus walked into our town, physically and mentally exhausted and hungry for the fellowship and worship to be found in the local church, what would he find? If Jesus spotted your church in the distance adorned with a steeple and Christian symbols and giving all outward appearances of being a church, would he be satisfied with what he found inside? Would he find a fellowship of true believers and a house of worship or a house of entertainment? Would there be any spiritual fruit to be found in the majestic, sentimental building?

In reference to our text and the broader passage J.C. Ryle gives this warning: “Let us remember these verses whenever we go to the house of God…Let us call to mind where we are…what we are doing…in whose presence we are engaged. Let us beware of giving God a mere formal service, while our hearts are full of the world. Let us leave our business and money at home, and not carry them to church….The Lord still lives, who cast out buyers and sellers from the temple…”

Could it happen at your church? Would Jesus feel deceived and disappointed if He came into your church building seeking fellowship and worship or would you receive His scorn? May it never be! Strive to be a biblical church in every way, worshipping the living God in spirit and truth each and every day.

The Rhythm of Life

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” ESV Psalm 46:10

Having visited India just a few weeks ago, I am still fascinated with the contrast in cultures. As I gazed out the car window one day, with what I suppose was either a look of bewilderment or fascination, my traveling companion noted that the “rhythm of life” was different in India when compared to the United States.

The sheer mass of humanity in India (depending on your source something on the order of 1.1-1.3 billion people populate India) would lead one to believe that life is chaotic and frantic there, but that didn’t seem to be case. Ironically, things seemed to move in a very methodical, fluid and sometimes ancient fashion.

In the rural regions I visited I also noted the absence of leisurely distractions. It seemed to me that everyone was fully engaged, from early in the morning till late, late at night, in the simple activities of daily living; earning wages for the day and providing for the needs of their families. The concept of daily entertainment or retirement would seem strange to most of the people I met; yet their lifestyles yielded a rather peaceful rhythm of life.

In stark contrast, it seems that here in the United States we try to cram as much productivity into an 8 to 10 hour work day as possible so that we can entertain ourselves and our families each and every evening and look forward to retiring at a relatively young age from our labors. The result is a frantic rhythm of life.

Yet it seems that in both countries the rhythm of life leaves little time for the God of the bible. I specifically mention “God of the bible” because we most certainly have time to worship other things in both cultures.

The Psalmist warns against ignoring God. The first sentence of our verse “Be still and know that I am God” is well known and often quoted as an encouragement to slow down from the frantic rhythm of life and take a deep, relaxing breath. And while I would agree that it is refreshing to pause and enjoy with wonder the Creator of heaven and earth for a moment, this verse also carries a stark statement of fact that is a warning to us that God is more than a refreshing aside.

There will come a time, notes the Psalmist, when “I [God] will be exalted among the nations, I [God] will be exalted in all the earth.” You see, the “God of the bible” should be the very fabric of our daily lives. He is deserving of our worship and attention every moment and He should be the object of our obsession in the rhythm of life. He most certainly will be the lone object of our worship and adoration one day, and He most certainly should be today.

Answers here, there and everywhere

“Ephraim is like a dove, silly and without sense, calling to Egypt, going to Assyria.” Hosea 7:11

Anyone who has ever been dove hunting knows that a dove is like a fighter jet in the sky. With their wings swept back into a distinct, aerodynamic point, they are quick, agile, and able to accelerate or turn on a dime. By comparison, their heavier cousin, the pigeon, lumbers along with its massive weight like a transport plane. All the while their lighter relatives, like sparrows, just sort of sputter from one place to the next.

In our generation the dove is many times presented as symbol of love or peace and some religious traditions hold it in high esteem as a symbol of their faith. But Hosea is speaking of the dove negatively in this context; calling its actions silly.

In the field, their distinctive form and speed make them easily recognizable by hunters. Their keen eyesight is the bane of many a hunter if he moves at the wrong time; move just a little too quick, or too soon in a dove hunt you’ll make your shot more challenging every time because the dove will go into “fighter jet” mode. At the first sign of movement it will accelerate and begin to pitch up and down and bank left and right in moves that would make an acrobat queasy; all in an effort to seek safety and security.

So why does Hosea speak of these characteristics negatively? In context, Hosea is writing about a nation that has abandoned God. Among other things, he likens them to an unfaithful spouse; a nation that has abandoned its first love and looked elsewhere for safety and security.

Forsaking God, they begin to look a bit silly, like a dove seeking safety over a hunter’s field, bouncing around and vacillating between decisions seeking safety and security at every turn. Our passage suggests that Ephraim had sought pacts with opposing nations in an effort to secure peace and safety.

How often, I wonder, do we look like Ephraim; silly like a dove? How often do we seek answers to life’s problems from those around us? How often do we seek safety and security at every turn while at the same time ignoring God? As a nation I’d venture to guess that we look a lot like Ephraim did in Hosea; like an unfaithful spouse; like a silly dove.

The peace that God grants surpasses all understanding. So, in our daily search for understanding, safety, and security, we don’t need to turn to seers that abound on every corner. No, we need only to turn (or return) to God. The Psalmist describes it this way: “Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till the has mercy on us.” (Psalm 123:2)

Look expectantly to the Lord and you won’t be disappointed.