When God questions us
……. What doest thou here, Elijah?
(1Ki 19:9, 13)
When we get into a rut, our natural tendency is to question God. Perhaps He is questioning us in the still small voice.
After a great demonstration of the Power of God of hailing down fire, killing the false prophets of Baal and having received answered prayer for rain to quench the drought, one word from Jezebel sent this great prophet fleeing for his life. Faced depression and even asked to die. His race wasn’t over yet. We know this because an angel fed him so that the 40 day journey to the mountain of God must be made. The Heavens stood still in silence through out this time.
Why did the LORD asked ‘what’ and not ‘why’? ‘Why’ would be asking for a reason which the LORD wasn’t interested in. For He knew the fear and depression Elijah was going through. God was opening Elijah’s eyes to the inward condition, not the outward reason.
We like Elijah in many ways allowed the external to determine our destiny. God is interested in building what is inside a man or a woman. One word from others sends us flying into the wrong direction. Jesus warns us that in the last days there we will hear of wars and rumors of them. Jesus tells us not be troubled, meaning these things shouldn’t shake us.
The answer Elijah gave the LORD is full of ‘I’. We are very like this man, full of self which is easily over come by the eternities of our lives. God allows us to go through the things that Elijah had to go through to awaken us. He will, by His grace, give us the miraculous energy to go up to Him not away nor around our circumstances. We must remember that God doesn’t come down to our level; we have to climb that ‘mountain of God’. Let Him question us, our answer betrays our true self.
Notice that Elijah muttered the same thing twice with each questioning of the Lord on ‘What’. Surprisingly God’s Word to him each time was ‘go’. God’s Word at that crucial moment was as powerful as ‘Let there be light’. Jesus great commission to us was also ‘go…’. God’s command to Abraham and Isaiah was also ‘go….’. The Word ‘go’ fulfills His will. His will accomplished through those who are called according to His divine purpose. That is how we run our race to completion. When we pray ‘Let thy will be done…’, our response is to just to ‘go’.
After hearing the Word ‘Go’, the will of God unfurls before us and reminds us that we are not alone. The seven thousand who didn’t bow their knee to Baal are our great cloud of witnesses (Heb 11). Strange that the commandment involved 3 things, but Elijah only accomplished one, this was the anointing of Elisha. When we hear the Power of His Word and obey, God ensures that whatever we do has a multiplying effect; like the breaking of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes.
God allows us to come to our wits end; He remains silent, and then asks us what is on the inside. Let’s His Word command us that we will finish our face to win the crown of Life. Unless we receive His Word, we will fall into man’s words (or rumors) and face the consequences. We have to be governed by what is our inward stature in Christ in order to be robust against man’s words (or rumors).
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Selah
This word was used 74 times with 3 times in the Habakkuk and the rest in the Psalms. The concordance would tell us that it’s a musical pause or suspension to stress the importance of the preceding passage. It basically informs the singers, musicians and readers to pause and consider. It brings a sense of abruption. We want to continue but asked not do so. It is like taking stock.
Be still, and know that I am God: …….
(Psa 46:1a)
The word ‘Selah’ means to stop and consider, meditate… and know that He is God. Sit still and know is the best advice Naomi gave to Ruth (Ruth 3:18). God can’t do what He sovereignly desires to do if we continue to 'help' Him out. By doing this we neglect the opportunity to know the saving power of our Redeemer (read Psa46). The Psalmist seems to be telling us that there is no knowing I AM redeems us outside of stillness. We must not meddle in God’s divine working in us.
God showed the bold, busy, miracle working, antithetical, call down fire from Heaven prophet that He speaks in stillness (1 Kings 19:12). God could be screaming at us, but He won’t because He knows that we can’t receive save we ‘Selah’. Like Elijah we want to know God in the spectacular. He patiently waits to prove us wrong. When God speaks in stillness, there is a reviving deep within which caused the prophet to complete his pilgrimage. We too can be revived to be overcomers to the end. Just ‘Selah’.
Jesus knew He had to withdraw from preaching, healing the sick, raising the dead, forgiving sins and all that He does as the Son of God into the mountains, away from the crowd to be with the Father. Getting intimate with Father requires a departure from our busy-ness. One can never know God in busy-ness. Jesus knew the wealth of ‘Selah’, how much more we.
Determine to take time to ‘Selah’, that is the way to know our I AM God.
This word was used 74 times with 3 times in the Habakkuk and the rest in the Psalms. The concordance would tell us that it’s a musical pause or suspension to stress the importance of the preceding passage. It basically informs the singers, musicians and readers to pause and consider. It brings a sense of abruption. We want to continue but asked not do so. It is like taking stock.
Be still, and know that I am God: …….
(Psa 46:1a)
The word ‘Selah’ means to stop and consider, meditate… and know that He is God. Sit still and know is the best advice Naomi gave to Ruth (Ruth 3:18). God can’t do what He sovereignly desires to do if we continue to 'help' Him out. By doing this we neglect the opportunity to know the saving power of our Redeemer (read Psa46). The Psalmist seems to be telling us that there is no knowing I AM redeems us outside of stillness. We must not meddle in God’s divine working in us.
God showed the bold, busy, miracle working, antithetical, call down fire from Heaven prophet that He speaks in stillness (1 Kings 19:12). God could be screaming at us, but He won’t because He knows that we can’t receive save we ‘Selah’. Like Elijah we want to know God in the spectacular. He patiently waits to prove us wrong. When God speaks in stillness, there is a reviving deep within which caused the prophet to complete his pilgrimage. We too can be revived to be overcomers to the end. Just ‘Selah’.
Jesus knew He had to withdraw from preaching, healing the sick, raising the dead, forgiving sins and all that He does as the Son of God into the mountains, away from the crowd to be with the Father. Getting intimate with Father requires a departure from our busy-ness. One can never know God in busy-ness. Jesus knew the wealth of ‘Selah’, how much more we.
Determine to take time to ‘Selah’, that is the way to know our I AM God.
Friday, June 13, 2008
The obedience of the Rechabites
…….. that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
(Jer 35:7b)
This chapter in the book of Jeremiah is like a breath of fresh air in the midst of a nation that has departed from God who loved them with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). It is a nation that has yielded it self to prophecies (2 Tim 4:3) that suit their liking where the leaders and shepherds are judged. This glimmer of hope in the form of the people who are descendents of Jonadab the son of Rechab proved themselves to be a company of remnants that God was looking for in a backslidden nation.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1Sam 15:22)
God is not looking sacrifice, for what can be greater than the sacrifice in the form of the Son of God. Partial obedience is not acceptable, because many will conceal self motives under the cloak of religious zeal. Total obedience is to say ‘Let Thy will be done’. God’s will is always good, acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1, 2). Substitution of His with our will means that His promises can’t be fulfilled in us. Letting His will take over ours will says that we have to lay our will down and leaving us in the un-nerving situation where we are no longer in control. This is what faith is about, a position of God’s great delight.
…….. for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, …….
(Jer 35:6)
Obedience brings about fulfillment of promise, in this case that they may live many days even as strangers (Exo 20:12 and Eph 6:2). Inward reverence shows forth in our outward behavior. This is what God honors because He sees the intentions of our hearts. ‘Many days’ would also mean fulfilled days, meaningless long lengths of time is of no value. How many of us live fulfilling lives? Perhaps we need to come back to the place of inward reverence toward our parents (Mal 4:6). Yes, we can live fulfilled lives which are not governed by circumstances (as strangers). Unwelcoming situations don’t mean we live unfulfilled lives, He will ensure that we do….
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psa 91:16)
Jonadab’s commandment for his descendents was firstly ‘to drink no wine all our days’ (Jer 35:8) nor ‘build houses, plant vineyards, field nor seed but to dwell in tents’ (Jer 35:9). These seem to be strange commands in our world where we want to ensure that our children and their children live ‘good’ lives, or at least better than ours. The pursuit of happiness by making it big in the world is the theme parroted over and over again, feeding the spirit of covetousness (which incidentally found in the 10th commandment). Jonadab’s story began with the overthrow of evil Ahab’s descendents in partnership with Jehu (2 Kings 10:15). The commandment could most like stem out of the evil that he experienced during his days and desired that his descendants stay away from it.
The first remarkable precept was similar to the Nazarite vow of abstinence of wine. The Nazarite’s vow was about separation from the world and not participating in the joy’s of it (wine is a picture of joy) not given to drunkardness but be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18, 19). Living a life led by the Spirit breeds no condemnation (Rom 8:1, please don’t refer to NIV). The famous Nazarite include Samson and of course Jesus who was called the Nazarene. Living a purpose driven life is not found in a book, it is found in Jesus… for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is a life that refuses to identify itself with the world and the gratification of the flesh.
Secondly is that we don’t become too earth bound (Heb 11:13) but be constantly reminded that we look for the heavenly country, a stature where God is not ashamed to be called our God (Heb 11:16). Instead of inheriting the world which the Father has no part of (1 John 2:16) but inheriting the Kingdom of God. Jesus says the meek shall inherit the earth and not to inherit the world for the world will pass away. Those who do the will of the Father will abide forever. Why desire for what is passing away?
Jonadab the son of Rechab certainly has eternity in his sights and in all his wisdom passed this commandment down to his descendants. He saw the evil in his days and learned much from experience. We likewise can live fulfilled lives as we pass through planet earth as strangers and pilgrims, looking forward to reigning with Christ in eternity if we heed the wisdom of this man.
…….. that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
(Jer 35:7b)
This chapter in the book of Jeremiah is like a breath of fresh air in the midst of a nation that has departed from God who loved them with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). It is a nation that has yielded it self to prophecies (2 Tim 4:3) that suit their liking where the leaders and shepherds are judged. This glimmer of hope in the form of the people who are descendents of Jonadab the son of Rechab proved themselves to be a company of remnants that God was looking for in a backslidden nation.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1Sam 15:22)
God is not looking sacrifice, for what can be greater than the sacrifice in the form of the Son of God. Partial obedience is not acceptable, because many will conceal self motives under the cloak of religious zeal. Total obedience is to say ‘Let Thy will be done’. God’s will is always good, acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1, 2). Substitution of His with our will means that His promises can’t be fulfilled in us. Letting His will take over ours will says that we have to lay our will down and leaving us in the un-nerving situation where we are no longer in control. This is what faith is about, a position of God’s great delight.
…….. for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, …….
(Jer 35:6)
Obedience brings about fulfillment of promise, in this case that they may live many days even as strangers (Exo 20:12 and Eph 6:2). Inward reverence shows forth in our outward behavior. This is what God honors because He sees the intentions of our hearts. ‘Many days’ would also mean fulfilled days, meaningless long lengths of time is of no value. How many of us live fulfilling lives? Perhaps we need to come back to the place of inward reverence toward our parents (Mal 4:6). Yes, we can live fulfilled lives which are not governed by circumstances (as strangers). Unwelcoming situations don’t mean we live unfulfilled lives, He will ensure that we do….
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psa 91:16)
Jonadab’s commandment for his descendents was firstly ‘to drink no wine all our days’ (Jer 35:8) nor ‘build houses, plant vineyards, field nor seed but to dwell in tents’ (Jer 35:9). These seem to be strange commands in our world where we want to ensure that our children and their children live ‘good’ lives, or at least better than ours. The pursuit of happiness by making it big in the world is the theme parroted over and over again, feeding the spirit of covetousness (which incidentally found in the 10th commandment). Jonadab’s story began with the overthrow of evil Ahab’s descendents in partnership with Jehu (2 Kings 10:15). The commandment could most like stem out of the evil that he experienced during his days and desired that his descendants stay away from it.
The first remarkable precept was similar to the Nazarite vow of abstinence of wine. The Nazarite’s vow was about separation from the world and not participating in the joy’s of it (wine is a picture of joy) not given to drunkardness but be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18, 19). Living a life led by the Spirit breeds no condemnation (Rom 8:1, please don’t refer to NIV). The famous Nazarite include Samson and of course Jesus who was called the Nazarene. Living a purpose driven life is not found in a book, it is found in Jesus… for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is a life that refuses to identify itself with the world and the gratification of the flesh.
Secondly is that we don’t become too earth bound (Heb 11:13) but be constantly reminded that we look for the heavenly country, a stature where God is not ashamed to be called our God (Heb 11:16). Instead of inheriting the world which the Father has no part of (1 John 2:16) but inheriting the Kingdom of God. Jesus says the meek shall inherit the earth and not to inherit the world for the world will pass away. Those who do the will of the Father will abide forever. Why desire for what is passing away?
Jonadab the son of Rechab certainly has eternity in his sights and in all his wisdom passed this commandment down to his descendants. He saw the evil in his days and learned much from experience. We likewise can live fulfilled lives as we pass through planet earth as strangers and pilgrims, looking forward to reigning with Christ in eternity if we heed the wisdom of this man.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
The Power in Abiding
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
(John 15:4)
Abiding in Christ is two fold, first we abide in Christ and He abides in us. It appears that we have to take the first step of faith to abide in Him and He in turns promises that He abides in us. There lies the secret of bearing fruits. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost which is the start of the harvest activities in the Jewish calendar, where first fruits are waved by the priest before Yahweh as an offering (Lev 23). It is therefore no coincidence that the Holy Spirit was poured out in connection to the harvest. Spiritual fruits are to be harvested with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Fruits that are worthy of repentance from evil to good (Luke 3:8 and Matt 7:16-23) are to be harvested for the Kingdom of Heaven.
What does it take so that we abide in Christ? Especially we know that we are saved not on the grounds of works. In Matt 19 the disciples asked Jesus ‘who then can be saved’, and the answer was it is only possible with God. But we may say that we are not like that rich man Jesus is referring to. If we look at the preceding verses about the encounter with the rich young ruler who not only possess physical wealth but also lack nothing (Matt 19:20) in the way of doing good. I believe Jesus saw not just the possession he had physically, but also the wealth in self-worth. Self is something we can be so rich of hence John the Baptist cried out that He MUST increase and I (self) decrease (John 3:30). We recognize that we are full of ‘self’ in our demanding for our ‘rights’ and saying things like ‘why should I apologize first?’ Our self sufficiency and self priority denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every aspect of our life. He can’t abide in such an individual.
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(Rom 6:8)
John the Baptist understood that decreasing is a form of death to self. It’s recognizing that we are dead (Rom 6:6) and alive to Christ. Gal 2:20 speaks the same truth. It takes faith to live this life where Christ liveth in me. Heb 11:1 says that faith substantiates or assures us. The life of faith has the resurrection power which is by the Glory of the Father (Rom 6:4). The abiding in Christ takes place when we first know (Rom 6:4, 9) that we have died with Christ. Many of us carry the head knowledge but without the ‘knowing’ that brings a revelation of this truth. People say that the furthest distance is between the head and the heart. When the ‘knowing’ reaches the heart or core it will become revelation. This revelation of death of self will manifest its great power and thus abiding in Christ begins.
Firstly there is a power to live a new life freed from the bondages of sin that enslavement of the devil and demons. We also no longer have to bear the weight of the accuser of the brethren accusing us day and night before God. In other words we are free from guilt. Being free from guilt is a life that has the Peace of God. Guilt is terrible burdens for many who haven’t experience this wonderful working power. Having guilt removed frees us from suspicion and fear. We have the power over the dominion of sin (the nature that breeds forth sins, that is the fruit of sin). Any wonder why we can confess the same sins over and over without living transformed lives. It takes a possibility in God to do this mighty work. Know that this work is finished (John 19:30) on the cross we just have to reckon this truth.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(Rom 6:13)
Secondly, there is the power to yield ourselves in order to speak, think and do righteousness. All our facilities can be given to righteousness. No part of our body can participate in any form of evil. We ‘are created in Christ Jesus unto good works…’ Eph 2:20. These works of righteousness are not performed until the power of God created us for it. There is the enablement for us to do good and doesn’t become a struggle any more (Rom 7:15). Righteousness becomes our nature.
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Matt 7:23)
This is a sober reminder for us that performing works isn’t enough to be saved at the end. There are a lot of ‘do-gooders’ (‘Christians’ included) out there that will not be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus returns. Any work that is outside the fruit that comes with Christ abiding has roots in iniquity or self generated with self in mind. This work glories self and not raised by the Glory of the Father. This work has the appearance of Christianity but lacking the power of the abiding Christ (2 Tim 3:5). To know this power is to know death to self. It is not ‘crucifying’ ourselves, but having the revelation that we have died with Christ and raised with Him. How do we know we live in this glorious state? It is when sin continues to dominate our lives and we struggle in unrighteous speaking, thinking and doing. There is true power in abiding in Christ and Him abiding in us and may this become a reality for us.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
(John 15:4)
Abiding in Christ is two fold, first we abide in Christ and He abides in us. It appears that we have to take the first step of faith to abide in Him and He in turns promises that He abides in us. There lies the secret of bearing fruits. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost which is the start of the harvest activities in the Jewish calendar, where first fruits are waved by the priest before Yahweh as an offering (Lev 23). It is therefore no coincidence that the Holy Spirit was poured out in connection to the harvest. Spiritual fruits are to be harvested with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Fruits that are worthy of repentance from evil to good (Luke 3:8 and Matt 7:16-23) are to be harvested for the Kingdom of Heaven.
What does it take so that we abide in Christ? Especially we know that we are saved not on the grounds of works. In Matt 19 the disciples asked Jesus ‘who then can be saved’, and the answer was it is only possible with God. But we may say that we are not like that rich man Jesus is referring to. If we look at the preceding verses about the encounter with the rich young ruler who not only possess physical wealth but also lack nothing (Matt 19:20) in the way of doing good. I believe Jesus saw not just the possession he had physically, but also the wealth in self-worth. Self is something we can be so rich of hence John the Baptist cried out that He MUST increase and I (self) decrease (John 3:30). We recognize that we are full of ‘self’ in our demanding for our ‘rights’ and saying things like ‘why should I apologize first?’ Our self sufficiency and self priority denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every aspect of our life. He can’t abide in such an individual.
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(Rom 6:8)
John the Baptist understood that decreasing is a form of death to self. It’s recognizing that we are dead (Rom 6:6) and alive to Christ. Gal 2:20 speaks the same truth. It takes faith to live this life where Christ liveth in me. Heb 11:1 says that faith substantiates or assures us. The life of faith has the resurrection power which is by the Glory of the Father (Rom 6:4). The abiding in Christ takes place when we first know (Rom 6:4, 9) that we have died with Christ. Many of us carry the head knowledge but without the ‘knowing’ that brings a revelation of this truth. People say that the furthest distance is between the head and the heart. When the ‘knowing’ reaches the heart or core it will become revelation. This revelation of death of self will manifest its great power and thus abiding in Christ begins.
Firstly there is a power to live a new life freed from the bondages of sin that enslavement of the devil and demons. We also no longer have to bear the weight of the accuser of the brethren accusing us day and night before God. In other words we are free from guilt. Being free from guilt is a life that has the Peace of God. Guilt is terrible burdens for many who haven’t experience this wonderful working power. Having guilt removed frees us from suspicion and fear. We have the power over the dominion of sin (the nature that breeds forth sins, that is the fruit of sin). Any wonder why we can confess the same sins over and over without living transformed lives. It takes a possibility in God to do this mighty work. Know that this work is finished (John 19:30) on the cross we just have to reckon this truth.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(Rom 6:13)
Secondly, there is the power to yield ourselves in order to speak, think and do righteousness. All our facilities can be given to righteousness. No part of our body can participate in any form of evil. We ‘are created in Christ Jesus unto good works…’ Eph 2:20. These works of righteousness are not performed until the power of God created us for it. There is the enablement for us to do good and doesn’t become a struggle any more (Rom 7:15). Righteousness becomes our nature.
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Matt 7:23)
This is a sober reminder for us that performing works isn’t enough to be saved at the end. There are a lot of ‘do-gooders’ (‘Christians’ included) out there that will not be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus returns. Any work that is outside the fruit that comes with Christ abiding has roots in iniquity or self generated with self in mind. This work glories self and not raised by the Glory of the Father. This work has the appearance of Christianity but lacking the power of the abiding Christ (2 Tim 3:5). To know this power is to know death to self. It is not ‘crucifying’ ourselves, but having the revelation that we have died with Christ and raised with Him. How do we know we live in this glorious state? It is when sin continues to dominate our lives and we struggle in unrighteous speaking, thinking and doing. There is true power in abiding in Christ and Him abiding in us and may this become a reality for us.
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