CONFIDENCE IN TROUBLE
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." (Psalm 138:7)
FAITH ENABLES THE ONE POSSESSING IT to rise above trouble, perceiving it as an opportunity for God to work. As the Scripture affirms, "My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). Even though crisis and stress are difficult and inconvenient, those in Christ can negotiate through them with confidence. This is another marvelous benefit of being in Christ. Faith takes hold of reality, even when circumstance seems to contradict it. Coupled with hope, faith peers beyond the veil – beyond the situation – to the time of deliverance.
NOT MURMURING OR COMPLAINING, the believer can stand under remarkable stress. Confidence provokes supplication and praise; doubt and unbelief are the parents of murmuring and complaining. Rather than getting "angry at God," the believer anticipates deliverance from trouble. Those with faith may go into the furnace, but they also will come out of it. They may walk through the Red Sea, yet they will not be overcome by it. They may sit in a den of lions, but they will not be ultimately harmed. This is the heritage of the trusting ones.
HOW WONDERFULLY THE PROMISE COMES TO US. Take hold of it, and do not let it go! "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa 43:2).
THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH. Faith has a language of its own. It speaks with God in mind, not the circumstance. It sees beyond the present into the future. "For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock" (Psa 27:5). Faith looks squarely in the face of circumstance and shouts, "I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness, Because Thou hast seen my affliction; Thou hast known the troubles of my soul" (Psa 31:7). Trust walks into the iron furnace of trouble and confidently confesses to God, "Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou dost surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah." (Psa 32:7). Faith causes hope to blossom and grow.
THERE ARE THINGS FAITH KNOWS that contradict circumstance and stabilize the soul. It does not deny that days of challenging trouble will come. Yet, it confesses, "But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble." (Psa 37:39). It knows God becomes both a hiding place and a source of strength in the time of trouble. "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." ( Psa 46:1). Faith is confident God will answer its cry when every earthly resource and personal abilities fail. "In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee, For Thou wilt answer me." (Psa 86:7). Faith realizes that salvation can be from all trouble, and not just a few of them. There is no difficulty in which we are left helpless or alone. Thus David testified for all believers, "This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles." (Psa 34:6).
THERE IS NO REASON WHY these confessions cannot be yours! The only thing that stands between you and their realization is faith. A choice is set before you, and you do well to ponder it. You can be impressed by your circumstances or you can be impressed by your great God. You can think in terms of the present, or you can anticipate what God has prepared for them who love Him! I can tell you from Scripture and from personal experience, "No one who believes in Him will be put to shame" (Romans 10:11).
THIS DOES NOT MEAN we pretend the trouble is not there, or that we will not be faced with circumstances so challenging we nearly despair of life (2 Cor 1:8). It DOES mean that, because of faith in God, we will recover and rise up, coming back from brief setbacks.
TESTIMONY OF DIVINE HELP. The perception of the hand of God in your past is strengthening to the soul. Like Samuel, you want to look over your past and acknowledge you have come this far with God's help. He actually took a large stone, set it up in a specific place, and gave it a name that signified God had helped him. "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us" (1 Sam 7:12).
MAY THESE WORDS BE FOUND in your heart and mouth! "But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness in the morning, For Thou hast been my stronghold, And a refuge in the day of my distress" ( Psa 59:16). "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted" ( Psa 77:2).
WEARY SOUL, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN LEFT ALONE! You may be on a stormy sea, but if you will look, you will see Jesus coming to you, walking on the waters! If you are in the furnace of affliction, look about – there is One with you that sticks closer than a brother. You will come out! You will come out! You will come out! The only thing that is really unknown is WHEN you will come out. And, ponder this, you have at least three possibilities set before you. (1) God can end the trial even while you remain on the earth. (2) You may pass from this world in death to a better place. (3) Jesus may come again, not only removing all trouble debilitating, but destroying the wicked one who caused it as well. Look up, saint of God! Look up!
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
A HOLY COUPLET
A HOLY COUPLET
"While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." (1 Peter 3:2)
THROUGH PETER, THE HOLY SPIRIT offers a word of encouragement to believing wives who may not have believing husbands. Their hearts are not to be weighed down with care, nor are they to allow the wicked one to condemn them because they seem powerless to change the situation. Graciously they are told, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives" (3:1). What a marvelous promise! I know of no other promise from God referring to a person being won "without the word." Even if the promise is taken to be a word from the wives, it is still an unparalleled promise – one in which believing sisters can lead out, setting a precedent for others to follow.
THE "CONVERSATION OF THE WIVES" refers to the obvious direction and commitment of their lives. Other versions read "conduct of the wives," or "behavior of the wives." "Conversation," however, goes even deeper than that. There is a flow to life that is similar to an intelligent verbal dialogue. Like conversation, life has a theme, or main point. There is also a progression in life, in which, like a conversation, it moves toward an end, or conclusion. Just as you can tell what interests a person has by their verbal dialog, so you can learn of a person's concerns by the way they live. In our text, the life lived by a godly wife has such an impact that the husband is "won over without words" (NIV).
IN MY UNDERSTANDING, the words "won," or "won over" are not synonymous with conversion, or being born again. Faith still "comes by hearing," not seeing (Rom 10:17). And men are born again "of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever" (1 Pet 1:23). We are not to understand that Peter's word is a suspension of that rule.WHAT THE TEXT IS SAYING IS SAYING is that the unbelieving husband will be softened by the way his believing wife lives. He will not be so critical of her, and his ear will be more ready to hear. He will be attracted to the Lord, so as to draw closer, within hearing distance. His spirit will be congenial, as that Centurion was towards the Jews, for whom he built a synagogue (Luke 7:5).
AND SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS IT that the unbelieving husband beholds in the believing wife that has such a powerful effect upon him? It is this holy couplet: "chaste conversation coupled with fear." Other versions read "chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (NKJV), "chaste and respectful behavior," NASB and "purity and reverence of your lives" (NIV).
A CHASTE CONVERSATION," or "purity" of life speaks of an obvious detachment from "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4). Life, in such a case, is lived for the Lord in an apparent way. There is purity of morals, purity of thought, and purity of motives. A certain selflessness characterizes the wife through which the Spirit can work, drawing the unbelieving husband to consider the purpose for which the wife lives. The "chaste" wife has a strict regard for her marriage, and will not defile it under any circumstances. Nor, indeed, will she consent to soil her relationship to the Lord by involving herself in moral or spiritual contamination.
"FEAR" HAS A TWOFOLD MEANING in this text. First, it speaks of a reverence for the Lord. Second it declares a respect for the husband. Both are rendered because of faith, and in deference to the will of the Lord. This "fear" moves them to be congenial and respectful, being a peacemaker and not a troubler. It includes a fear of any sinful stain in any aspect of life. Presumption and self-will are shunned.
FAITH IS WHAT COUPLES "chaste conversation" and "fear." It alone can join these virtues together, causing them to be a powerful witness to the grace of God. To attempt to lead a pure life without a fear of God and the respect of the husband is futile. To make an effort to fear God and be dutiful toward the husband without being chaste is impossible. These virtues must be joined together, and only faith can do that.
IT SHOULD BE APPARENT to us that a "chaste conversion" and "fear" are not to be found in believing wives alone, and that is not the intent of this passage. Rather, these are virtues that are to be common among the saints – even if some of them are wives with unbelieving husbands. The fact that they are coupled is a sterling example of how believing wives are especially rewarded of the Lord.
IT IS COMELY FOR SUCH WOMEN to be followed by others among the saints. The nobility of coupling together chasteness and fear is to be acknowledged as a great work of faith. Perhaps we should also assure them that their husbands are not the only ones who have noticed their "purity and reverence" (NIV). Frequently our own lives have been challenged by their faithfulness under less-than-ideal circumstances. They are a sermon to all who see them, and we are thankful for them. We do not take them for granted, and support them with our prayers. I pay my personal tribute to all such wives.
– Given O. Blakely
"While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear." (1 Peter 3:2)
THROUGH PETER, THE HOLY SPIRIT offers a word of encouragement to believing wives who may not have believing husbands. Their hearts are not to be weighed down with care, nor are they to allow the wicked one to condemn them because they seem powerless to change the situation. Graciously they are told, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives" (3:1). What a marvelous promise! I know of no other promise from God referring to a person being won "without the word." Even if the promise is taken to be a word from the wives, it is still an unparalleled promise – one in which believing sisters can lead out, setting a precedent for others to follow.
THE "CONVERSATION OF THE WIVES" refers to the obvious direction and commitment of their lives. Other versions read "conduct of the wives," or "behavior of the wives." "Conversation," however, goes even deeper than that. There is a flow to life that is similar to an intelligent verbal dialogue. Like conversation, life has a theme, or main point. There is also a progression in life, in which, like a conversation, it moves toward an end, or conclusion. Just as you can tell what interests a person has by their verbal dialog, so you can learn of a person's concerns by the way they live. In our text, the life lived by a godly wife has such an impact that the husband is "won over without words" (NIV).
IN MY UNDERSTANDING, the words "won," or "won over" are not synonymous with conversion, or being born again. Faith still "comes by hearing," not seeing (Rom 10:17). And men are born again "of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever" (1 Pet 1:23). We are not to understand that Peter's word is a suspension of that rule.WHAT THE TEXT IS SAYING IS SAYING is that the unbelieving husband will be softened by the way his believing wife lives. He will not be so critical of her, and his ear will be more ready to hear. He will be attracted to the Lord, so as to draw closer, within hearing distance. His spirit will be congenial, as that Centurion was towards the Jews, for whom he built a synagogue (Luke 7:5).
AND SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS IT that the unbelieving husband beholds in the believing wife that has such a powerful effect upon him? It is this holy couplet: "chaste conversation coupled with fear." Other versions read "chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (NKJV), "chaste and respectful behavior," NASB and "purity and reverence of your lives" (NIV).
A CHASTE CONVERSATION," or "purity" of life speaks of an obvious detachment from "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4). Life, in such a case, is lived for the Lord in an apparent way. There is purity of morals, purity of thought, and purity of motives. A certain selflessness characterizes the wife through which the Spirit can work, drawing the unbelieving husband to consider the purpose for which the wife lives. The "chaste" wife has a strict regard for her marriage, and will not defile it under any circumstances. Nor, indeed, will she consent to soil her relationship to the Lord by involving herself in moral or spiritual contamination.
"FEAR" HAS A TWOFOLD MEANING in this text. First, it speaks of a reverence for the Lord. Second it declares a respect for the husband. Both are rendered because of faith, and in deference to the will of the Lord. This "fear" moves them to be congenial and respectful, being a peacemaker and not a troubler. It includes a fear of any sinful stain in any aspect of life. Presumption and self-will are shunned.
FAITH IS WHAT COUPLES "chaste conversation" and "fear." It alone can join these virtues together, causing them to be a powerful witness to the grace of God. To attempt to lead a pure life without a fear of God and the respect of the husband is futile. To make an effort to fear God and be dutiful toward the husband without being chaste is impossible. These virtues must be joined together, and only faith can do that.
IT SHOULD BE APPARENT to us that a "chaste conversion" and "fear" are not to be found in believing wives alone, and that is not the intent of this passage. Rather, these are virtues that are to be common among the saints – even if some of them are wives with unbelieving husbands. The fact that they are coupled is a sterling example of how believing wives are especially rewarded of the Lord.
IT IS COMELY FOR SUCH WOMEN to be followed by others among the saints. The nobility of coupling together chasteness and fear is to be acknowledged as a great work of faith. Perhaps we should also assure them that their husbands are not the only ones who have noticed their "purity and reverence" (NIV). Frequently our own lives have been challenged by their faithfulness under less-than-ideal circumstances. They are a sermon to all who see them, and we are thankful for them. We do not take them for granted, and support them with our prayers. I pay my personal tribute to all such wives.
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, August 28, 2009
CHRIST JESUS THE LORD
CHRIST JESUS THE LORD
" As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." (Col 2:6)
HOW SHOULD A PERSON LIVE once they have "received Christ Jesus the Lord"? It is not unusual to find a glaring absence of this kind of language among churched people, i.e., "received Christ Jesus the Lord." People are often not hesitant to mention when they "became a Christian," or "joined the church," or were "baptized." There certainly is nothing INHERENTLY wrong with those statements. There did come a point in time when the saved became followers of Christ ("Christians"). There also was a point where they "joined" themselves to the followers of Jesus, as in Acts 9:26. And the day we were "baptized into Christ" (Gal 3:27) was certainly an epoch. However, the phrase "received Christ Jesus the Lord" is a fuller expression, with a wider circumference, including the other matters that have been mentioned, without diminishing them.
IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, receiving Christ distinguishes the saved from the lost. As it is written, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power [or right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:11-13).
BEING SAVED INVOLVES RECEIVING BENEFITS, but more fully it involves receiving Christ Himself. Although it is fashionable for men to speak of receiving Jesus as your Savior, our text says He is received as "Christ Jesus THE LORD." The suggestion that you can receive Christ as your Savior, and later receive Him as your Lord is religious folklore. It simply is not possible to receive Christ Jesus outside of recognizing He is, in fact, Your Lord.
RECEIVING HIM AS "THE LORD" settles any issue about obedience. No matter how seemingly small the required obedience may appear, when Jesus is received as "the Lord," hearty submission to His demands will be found. That is precisely why it is said of early converts, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:42). They had just heard the powerful proclamation of Jesus Christ. So far as the Scriptural record of the day of Pentecost is concerned, Peter made no reference to Christ as a "Savior." He did make five direct references to Him as "Lord" (Acts 2:20,21,25, 34,36), and that is the capacity in which they received Him.
HOW IS IT THAT WE "receive Christ Jesus the Lord?" Preeminently, it is by believing on His name (John 1:12). It is by trusting Him to be exactly what the Gospel presents Him to be. Even though our sins may have been sweeping like floods over our souls, we believed He could take them away, making them "white as snow" (Isa 1:18), and freeing us from oppressing guilt. We acknowledged we had nothing to offer, and were clothed in filthy rags, even when the very best of our persons was seen (Isa 64:6). We knew if Jesus did not lift us from the quagmire of sin, there was no hope of us ever getting out of it. It only remained for us to know what to do, and we gladly acquiesced to the doing of it – just like those of Scriptural record (Acts 2:37; 8:36; 9:6; 16:30). We received Him as Lord. Those who call Jesus "Lord," yet do not say what He commands do not know what they have said, and are really none of His (Lk 6:46).
NOW THAT WE HAVE "RECEIVED HIM," we do not walk by a principle that differs from receiving Him as Lord. Our lives are still lived out in reliance upon the Christ of the Gospel – the One declared in the good news of salvation. We still rely upon Him as our Lord. We still ask Him what we are to do. We still acknowledge that in us, that is in our flesh, "dwelleth no good thing" (Rom 7:18).
LIFE IN CHRIST IS TO BE ADDRESSED as fervently and energetically as we sought for the remission of our sins! Our obedience as Christians is to be as unrelenting as it was when we sought the purging of our conscience. "What wilt thou have me to do?" is not to disappear from our vocabulary when we come into Christ.
JESUS ONCE SAID, "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21). That is not only a blessing of induction into Christ, it is the manner of life in Him.
WALK YE IN HIM. Contemporary versions read "continue to live your lives in Him." I like the word "walk." It confirms that living in Christ requires effort. It also shows that we are headed in a specific direction, not just wandering in the wilderness of doubt and confusion. It also indicates progress, even though opposition and hardship are regularly confronted, and weaknesses are experienced.
SO HOW DO WE MAKE IT THROUGH these trials? How is progress to be made toward the homeland? Precisely the same way in which we "received Christ Jesus the Lord!" We trust Him to be precisely what the Gospel declares Him to be. We ask Him what we should do, and call upon His name for deliverance and guidance. We acknowledge we need Him, and believe He will not cast us away if we come to Him. How marvelously simple, yet profound!
– Given O. Blakely
" As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." (Col 2:6)
HOW SHOULD A PERSON LIVE once they have "received Christ Jesus the Lord"? It is not unusual to find a glaring absence of this kind of language among churched people, i.e., "received Christ Jesus the Lord." People are often not hesitant to mention when they "became a Christian," or "joined the church," or were "baptized." There certainly is nothing INHERENTLY wrong with those statements. There did come a point in time when the saved became followers of Christ ("Christians"). There also was a point where they "joined" themselves to the followers of Jesus, as in Acts 9:26. And the day we were "baptized into Christ" (Gal 3:27) was certainly an epoch. However, the phrase "received Christ Jesus the Lord" is a fuller expression, with a wider circumference, including the other matters that have been mentioned, without diminishing them.
IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, receiving Christ distinguishes the saved from the lost. As it is written, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power [or right] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:11-13).
BEING SAVED INVOLVES RECEIVING BENEFITS, but more fully it involves receiving Christ Himself. Although it is fashionable for men to speak of receiving Jesus as your Savior, our text says He is received as "Christ Jesus THE LORD." The suggestion that you can receive Christ as your Savior, and later receive Him as your Lord is religious folklore. It simply is not possible to receive Christ Jesus outside of recognizing He is, in fact, Your Lord.
RECEIVING HIM AS "THE LORD" settles any issue about obedience. No matter how seemingly small the required obedience may appear, when Jesus is received as "the Lord," hearty submission to His demands will be found. That is precisely why it is said of early converts, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:42). They had just heard the powerful proclamation of Jesus Christ. So far as the Scriptural record of the day of Pentecost is concerned, Peter made no reference to Christ as a "Savior." He did make five direct references to Him as "Lord" (Acts 2:20,21,25, 34,36), and that is the capacity in which they received Him.
HOW IS IT THAT WE "receive Christ Jesus the Lord?" Preeminently, it is by believing on His name (John 1:12). It is by trusting Him to be exactly what the Gospel presents Him to be. Even though our sins may have been sweeping like floods over our souls, we believed He could take them away, making them "white as snow" (Isa 1:18), and freeing us from oppressing guilt. We acknowledged we had nothing to offer, and were clothed in filthy rags, even when the very best of our persons was seen (Isa 64:6). We knew if Jesus did not lift us from the quagmire of sin, there was no hope of us ever getting out of it. It only remained for us to know what to do, and we gladly acquiesced to the doing of it – just like those of Scriptural record (Acts 2:37; 8:36; 9:6; 16:30). We received Him as Lord. Those who call Jesus "Lord," yet do not say what He commands do not know what they have said, and are really none of His (Lk 6:46).
NOW THAT WE HAVE "RECEIVED HIM," we do not walk by a principle that differs from receiving Him as Lord. Our lives are still lived out in reliance upon the Christ of the Gospel – the One declared in the good news of salvation. We still rely upon Him as our Lord. We still ask Him what we are to do. We still acknowledge that in us, that is in our flesh, "dwelleth no good thing" (Rom 7:18).
LIFE IN CHRIST IS TO BE ADDRESSED as fervently and energetically as we sought for the remission of our sins! Our obedience as Christians is to be as unrelenting as it was when we sought the purging of our conscience. "What wilt thou have me to do?" is not to disappear from our vocabulary when we come into Christ.
JESUS ONCE SAID, "He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21). That is not only a blessing of induction into Christ, it is the manner of life in Him.
WALK YE IN HIM. Contemporary versions read "continue to live your lives in Him." I like the word "walk." It confirms that living in Christ requires effort. It also shows that we are headed in a specific direction, not just wandering in the wilderness of doubt and confusion. It also indicates progress, even though opposition and hardship are regularly confronted, and weaknesses are experienced.
SO HOW DO WE MAKE IT THROUGH these trials? How is progress to be made toward the homeland? Precisely the same way in which we "received Christ Jesus the Lord!" We trust Him to be precisely what the Gospel declares Him to be. We ask Him what we should do, and call upon His name for deliverance and guidance. We acknowledge we need Him, and believe He will not cast us away if we come to Him. How marvelously simple, yet profound!
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
GOD’S DIVERS WORKINGS
GOD'S DIVERS WORKINGS
" . . . for the ways of the LORD are right" (Hos 14:9)
THE RELIGIOUS WORLD IS PLAGUED by simplistic views of God. By "simplistic," I mean oversimplification, or shallow. There is a diversity in the Lord's workings that confounds the flesh, but comforts the child of God.
THE WORD OF GOD of good and evil coming from God. The proclamations are quite clear, and it is difficult to conceive of them being stated with greater clarity. Our analysis of them must begin with the postulate that they are righteous, true, precise, and accurate. It is not God's manner to confuse believers by making statements that are not exact. In fact, such a thought reproaches Him.
WOUNDS AND HEALS. "Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand" (Deut. 32:39, NKJV).
KILLS AND MAKES ALIVE. "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up" NKJV (1 Sam. 2:6-7).
MAKES SORE, BINDS UP. "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole" NKJV (Job 5:17-18).
MAKES DUMB, DEAF, SEEING, AND BLIND. "So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?" (Ex. 4:11, NKJV).
MAKES SORE AND WOUNDS, TO BIND AND CURE. "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal" NKJV (Job 5:17-18).
BRINGS PROSPERITY AND CREATES DISASTER . "I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things" NKJV (Isa. 45:7).
UNDOES DEVASTATION HE BROUGHT. "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you" NKJV (Joel 2:25) .
FAITH REASONS WITH THIS IN MIND. Knowing the truth of these things, faith reasons with them in mind. Take, for example, the reasoning of Hosea. "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up" (Hos 6:1).
DAVID REASONED CONCERNING HIS SPIRITUAL PEAKS AND VALLEYS in this manner: "LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled." (Psa 30:7). PAUL spoke of a "thorn" that was "given" to Him, as well as an "abundance of revelations." "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure" NKJV (1 Cor 12:7). JOB reasoned, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips" (Job 2:10). Faith still moves men to reason in this manner.
IT IS COMMENDABLE FOR US to learn to think in this way – to trace both advantages and disadvantages back to the Lord. When we do this, we will be able to pray more effectively, and our hearts will remain tender and supple in God's hand.
– Given O. Blakely
" . . . for the ways of the LORD are right" (Hos 14:9)
THE RELIGIOUS WORLD IS PLAGUED by simplistic views of God. By "simplistic," I mean oversimplification, or shallow. There is a diversity in the Lord's workings that confounds the flesh, but comforts the child of God.
THE WORD OF GOD of good and evil coming from God. The proclamations are quite clear, and it is difficult to conceive of them being stated with greater clarity. Our analysis of them must begin with the postulate that they are righteous, true, precise, and accurate. It is not God's manner to confuse believers by making statements that are not exact. In fact, such a thought reproaches Him.
WOUNDS AND HEALS. "Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand" (Deut. 32:39, NKJV).
KILLS AND MAKES ALIVE. "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up" NKJV (1 Sam. 2:6-7).
MAKES SORE, BINDS UP. "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole" NKJV (Job 5:17-18).
MAKES DUMB, DEAF, SEEING, AND BLIND. "So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?" (Ex. 4:11, NKJV).
MAKES SORE AND WOUNDS, TO BIND AND CURE. "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal" NKJV (Job 5:17-18).
BRINGS PROSPERITY AND CREATES DISASTER . "I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things" NKJV (Isa. 45:7).
UNDOES DEVASTATION HE BROUGHT. "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you" NKJV (Joel 2:25) .
FAITH REASONS WITH THIS IN MIND. Knowing the truth of these things, faith reasons with them in mind. Take, for example, the reasoning of Hosea. "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up" (Hos 6:1).
DAVID REASONED CONCERNING HIS SPIRITUAL PEAKS AND VALLEYS in this manner: "LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled." (Psa 30:7). PAUL spoke of a "thorn" that was "given" to Him, as well as an "abundance of revelations." "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure" NKJV (1 Cor 12:7). JOB reasoned, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips" (Job 2:10). Faith still moves men to reason in this manner.
IT IS COMMENDABLE FOR US to learn to think in this way – to trace both advantages and disadvantages back to the Lord. When we do this, we will be able to pray more effectively, and our hearts will remain tender and supple in God's hand.
– Given O. Blakely
Monday, August 24, 2009
GOD IS SOVEREIGN
GOD IS SOVEREIGN
"For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and He is the governor among the nations."(Psalm 22:28) "For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3)"One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6)
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "SOVEREIGN"? There are several synonyms offered for the word "sovereign." Among them are, "king," "lord," "monarch," and "potentate." All of these fall woefully short of the Scriptural presentation of the Living God. In the Word of God, key words and concepts are defined doctrinally, not etymologically. The Holy Spirit started with human language, but He did not end there. He gave signification to vernacular that is unique, appreciated only by those who are reconciled to God. Men may consider earthly monarchs to be "sovereign," as the king or queen of England, etc. However, the thoughts conveyed by such reference do not approximate those related to a Sovereign God. The power of earthly potentates is derived – coming from a family name, a vote, or even usurpation. It is not so with the sovereignty of our God.
DOMINANT POWER. Strength belongs to the Lord! It is not His by assignment, but by nature. Angels are strong (Psa. 103:20), yet their strength is derived: it has been given to them by God. However, with God, strength is part of His Person, integral to His nature, one of His inherent qualities. It cannot be taken from Him, nor can another successfully compete with Him. Further, the source of strength resides with Him alone. No personality in heaven or earth can increase in strength independently of our God. Only His power is dominant power! If circumstance appears to indicate that God is not exercising HIS power, or that He has no power, our assessment is simply wrong. The Throne of the universe is never idle or vacant!
RIGHTFUL AUTHORITY. Sovereignty, however, is more than dominating power; it includes authority. In this world, there are ruthless men who exercise unscrupulous power. They have no authority but that of coercion. Their's is a usurped power that is neither right nor beneficial. But it is not so with our God. Power without rightness is tyranny. It is ever true that "a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of His kingdom" (Heb. 1:8). The divine rule is "in righteousness" (Isa. 32:1; Acts 17:31). The Lord can never be charged with doing anything wrong, being unequal, or inconsiderate. His Sovereignty is never self-contradictory.
ACTIVE GOVERNMENT. The government of the Lord is not theoretical, even though it is often approached in this manner. His is an active rule, always executed in accordance with His "eternal purpose." Nothing is ever out of God's control, attention, or government. He continually works "according to His own will" (Dan. 4:35), regardless of man's perception of the situation. Currently, the government has been placed upon the shoulder of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa. 9:6; Matt. 28:18; 1 Pet. 3:22). Jesus is now "upholding all things by the Word of His power" (Heb. 1:3). The Lord neither sleeps nor slumbers in the execution of His reign (Psa. 121:4). Thus His rule is always contemporary, vital, and effectual. This is the God whom we trust! He is the One in whom we believe "by" Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:21).
– Given O. Blakely
"For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and He is the governor among the nations."(Psalm 22:28) "For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3)"One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6)
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "SOVEREIGN"? There are several synonyms offered for the word "sovereign." Among them are, "king," "lord," "monarch," and "potentate." All of these fall woefully short of the Scriptural presentation of the Living God. In the Word of God, key words and concepts are defined doctrinally, not etymologically. The Holy Spirit started with human language, but He did not end there. He gave signification to vernacular that is unique, appreciated only by those who are reconciled to God. Men may consider earthly monarchs to be "sovereign," as the king or queen of England, etc. However, the thoughts conveyed by such reference do not approximate those related to a Sovereign God. The power of earthly potentates is derived – coming from a family name, a vote, or even usurpation. It is not so with the sovereignty of our God.
DOMINANT POWER. Strength belongs to the Lord! It is not His by assignment, but by nature. Angels are strong (Psa. 103:20), yet their strength is derived: it has been given to them by God. However, with God, strength is part of His Person, integral to His nature, one of His inherent qualities. It cannot be taken from Him, nor can another successfully compete with Him. Further, the source of strength resides with Him alone. No personality in heaven or earth can increase in strength independently of our God. Only His power is dominant power! If circumstance appears to indicate that God is not exercising HIS power, or that He has no power, our assessment is simply wrong. The Throne of the universe is never idle or vacant!
RIGHTFUL AUTHORITY. Sovereignty, however, is more than dominating power; it includes authority. In this world, there are ruthless men who exercise unscrupulous power. They have no authority but that of coercion. Their's is a usurped power that is neither right nor beneficial. But it is not so with our God. Power without rightness is tyranny. It is ever true that "a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of His kingdom" (Heb. 1:8). The divine rule is "in righteousness" (Isa. 32:1; Acts 17:31). The Lord can never be charged with doing anything wrong, being unequal, or inconsiderate. His Sovereignty is never self-contradictory.
ACTIVE GOVERNMENT. The government of the Lord is not theoretical, even though it is often approached in this manner. His is an active rule, always executed in accordance with His "eternal purpose." Nothing is ever out of God's control, attention, or government. He continually works "according to His own will" (Dan. 4:35), regardless of man's perception of the situation. Currently, the government has been placed upon the shoulder of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa. 9:6; Matt. 28:18; 1 Pet. 3:22). Jesus is now "upholding all things by the Word of His power" (Heb. 1:3). The Lord neither sleeps nor slumbers in the execution of His reign (Psa. 121:4). Thus His rule is always contemporary, vital, and effectual. This is the God whom we trust! He is the One in whom we believe "by" Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:21).
– Given O. Blakely
Friday, August 21, 2009
WAITING FOR THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
"For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness." (Gal 5:5, NRSV)
THE GRAVITY OF APPEALING TO THE LAW for justification, or being righteous, is seen in the arresting words of the Spirit: "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (v. 4, NIV). It is not possible to state the case any more strongly! To be under Law results in being Christ's enemy. You move away from the grace of God when you move under the Law! That is because Law depends entirely upon you. The ONLY works it recognizes are those of men – and they must be perfect.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO OUR DILEMMA? We love God's Law! We serve it with our minds! We know it is holy, and just, and good! "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" (Rom 7:18b, NIV). Such conflict is not allowed by Law! However, even in this situation, we are not without hope. It will not always be the way it is now! We will not always have inner conflict! The "flesh" is not destined to be a permanent part of our person! Here is the glorious good news. "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope."
OUR "FAITH," NOT OUR WORKS, becomes the stimulant to hope. We do not look to WHAT we have accomplished, but to WHO has saved us! We acknowledge we are "not yet perfect" (Phil 3:12), but we also acknowledge we are not content to be imperfect! Through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, we live in a state of expectation, being "saved by hope" (Rom 8:24-25). That "works" cannot cause us to "eagerly await" for righteousness is evident to the honest heart. This circumstance is because "works" are in the "NOW," while "faith" looks into eternity, for "things hoped for" (Heb 11:1)!
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE APPOINTED MEANS through which this earnest expectation is accomplished! We "eagerly await through the Spirit." Here, the Spirit is contrasted with Law, while faith is contrasted with works. Neither faith nor the Holy Spirit were prominent under the Law. Paul tells us, "But the law does not rest on faith" (Gal 3:12). The book of Exodus refers to the Holy Spirit two times – in both, the ability to construct the tabernacle is the point of reference (Ex 31:3; 35:31). Throughout the Law, the Spirit was NEVER promised. The Israelites were never told to rely upon the Spirit, nor are they declared to have been led by Him.
HOW DIFFERENT UNDER GRACE! Here, the Spirit so clarifies the promises of God that we eagerly anticipate their fulfillment. We know we shall be "like Him" (1 John 3:1-3), and we are willing to wait for the promise! Soon we will be done with struggle and imperfection, and enter into the joy of the Lord. For now, we wait! We admit that "weeping may endure for the night." However, our faith shouts out, "but joy cometh in the morning" (Psa 30:5). We acknowledge we have not yet attained, nor are we "already perfect." However, we energetically "press toward the mark," confident of good things to come (Phil 3:12-14).
THE SPIRIT ENERGIZES OUR FAITH so we can "wait for the hope of righteousness," enduring the onslaughts of the devil, the disappointments of time, and the trying of our faith. Our righteousness will be complete. We are waiting for that!
– Given O. Blakely
THE GRAVITY OF APPEALING TO THE LAW for justification, or being righteous, is seen in the arresting words of the Spirit: "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (v. 4, NIV). It is not possible to state the case any more strongly! To be under Law results in being Christ's enemy. You move away from the grace of God when you move under the Law! That is because Law depends entirely upon you. The ONLY works it recognizes are those of men – and they must be perfect.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO OUR DILEMMA? We love God's Law! We serve it with our minds! We know it is holy, and just, and good! "For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" (Rom 7:18b, NIV). Such conflict is not allowed by Law! However, even in this situation, we are not without hope. It will not always be the way it is now! We will not always have inner conflict! The "flesh" is not destined to be a permanent part of our person! Here is the glorious good news. "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope."
OUR "FAITH," NOT OUR WORKS, becomes the stimulant to hope. We do not look to WHAT we have accomplished, but to WHO has saved us! We acknowledge we are "not yet perfect" (Phil 3:12), but we also acknowledge we are not content to be imperfect! Through the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, we live in a state of expectation, being "saved by hope" (Rom 8:24-25). That "works" cannot cause us to "eagerly await" for righteousness is evident to the honest heart. This circumstance is because "works" are in the "NOW," while "faith" looks into eternity, for "things hoped for" (Heb 11:1)!
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE APPOINTED MEANS through which this earnest expectation is accomplished! We "eagerly await through the Spirit." Here, the Spirit is contrasted with Law, while faith is contrasted with works. Neither faith nor the Holy Spirit were prominent under the Law. Paul tells us, "But the law does not rest on faith" (Gal 3:12). The book of Exodus refers to the Holy Spirit two times – in both, the ability to construct the tabernacle is the point of reference (Ex 31:3; 35:31). Throughout the Law, the Spirit was NEVER promised. The Israelites were never told to rely upon the Spirit, nor are they declared to have been led by Him.
HOW DIFFERENT UNDER GRACE! Here, the Spirit so clarifies the promises of God that we eagerly anticipate their fulfillment. We know we shall be "like Him" (1 John 3:1-3), and we are willing to wait for the promise! Soon we will be done with struggle and imperfection, and enter into the joy of the Lord. For now, we wait! We admit that "weeping may endure for the night." However, our faith shouts out, "but joy cometh in the morning" (Psa 30:5). We acknowledge we have not yet attained, nor are we "already perfect." However, we energetically "press toward the mark," confident of good things to come (Phil 3:12-14).
THE SPIRIT ENERGIZES OUR FAITH so we can "wait for the hope of righteousness," enduring the onslaughts of the devil, the disappointments of time, and the trying of our faith. Our righteousness will be complete. We are waiting for that!
– Given O. Blakely
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
CRUCIFIED, YET LIVING
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
NOTICE THE STRENGTH OF THIS PERSUASION! It is not a negative view, but a positive one. "But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him" (Rom 6:8). Our crucifixion is in order to our participation in the life of God. It is personal, and it is effective. In delineating this truth, Paul revealed the extent of our death to the order over which Law presides. "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal 6:14). I prefer the KJV on this. It states "by WHOM the world . . . " It is Christ who sanctifies the cross, giving it true effectiveness! The world disowns those who have died to it, for it can only love "its own" (John 15:19). Its rejection of us simplifies our new life, for we have also rejected it.
BEING DEAD WITH CHRIST necessarily involves freedom from the coercion of Law. That is because we are joined to the Lord as soon as we are freed from the condemning Law. " If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"? (Col 2:20-21). The Galatians had reverted back to Law, therefore jeopardizing their salvation. Paul shows them that dying to the old order is the point. That is accomplished by identity with Christ in HIS death, not attempting to depend on our own life, so to speak. Here is where our baptism comes into the picture. It is there we were "buried with Him by baptism into death" (Rom 6:3-4). How tragic that this view is so rarely mentioned!
DEATH TO THE WORLD AND SIN is not an end of itself, but a means to an end. Spiritual life is the point, not death! Sin loses its power when we lose our preference for it. It is then that we begin to live the abundant life. That life is lived "to God." We have Jesus as our example and pattern. He now lives in the Presence of God – at His own right hand. He is there to execute the will of God, and fulfill His purpose. He is absorbed in this activity, because that is the way things are in the Divine Presence.
BUT THERE IS MORE TO THIS! Our life is not one of self discipline – like life under the Law. It is Christ who lives in us! He dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:16), and makes His abode with us (John 14:21,23). Our expectation of glory is owing to Christ's Presence within (Col 1:27).
IT IS MARVELOUS TO CONSIDER that Christ is living in us! That is something that can never be accomplished by Law. Because Law can never take away sin, it can never open the door of our hearts to Christ! Those who choose to come to God by means of Law shut themselves up to unbelief, for "the Law is not of faith" (Gal 3:12).
SPIRITUAL LIFE IS LIVED "BY FAITH," not by doing. Paul confessed he lived "by faith in the Son of God." Our persuasion of the reality of Jesus, and the effectiveness of His accomplishments and present work, causes us to be sensitive to God. That sensitivity enables us to be directed by God and led by the Spirit. It establishes the priority of hope, and causes the luster of the world to fade.
IF JESUS LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME," it is surely possible for me to do the lesser thing of loving Him and giving myself for Him. Faith gives you the vision of the real Jesus, thereby providing the incentive and strength to live for Him.
– Given O. Blakely
NOTICE THE STRENGTH OF THIS PERSUASION! It is not a negative view, but a positive one. "But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him" (Rom 6:8). Our crucifixion is in order to our participation in the life of God. It is personal, and it is effective. In delineating this truth, Paul revealed the extent of our death to the order over which Law presides. "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal 6:14). I prefer the KJV on this. It states "by WHOM the world . . . " It is Christ who sanctifies the cross, giving it true effectiveness! The world disowns those who have died to it, for it can only love "its own" (John 15:19). Its rejection of us simplifies our new life, for we have also rejected it.
BEING DEAD WITH CHRIST necessarily involves freedom from the coercion of Law. That is because we are joined to the Lord as soon as we are freed from the condemning Law. " If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"? (Col 2:20-21). The Galatians had reverted back to Law, therefore jeopardizing their salvation. Paul shows them that dying to the old order is the point. That is accomplished by identity with Christ in HIS death, not attempting to depend on our own life, so to speak. Here is where our baptism comes into the picture. It is there we were "buried with Him by baptism into death" (Rom 6:3-4). How tragic that this view is so rarely mentioned!
DEATH TO THE WORLD AND SIN is not an end of itself, but a means to an end. Spiritual life is the point, not death! Sin loses its power when we lose our preference for it. It is then that we begin to live the abundant life. That life is lived "to God." We have Jesus as our example and pattern. He now lives in the Presence of God – at His own right hand. He is there to execute the will of God, and fulfill His purpose. He is absorbed in this activity, because that is the way things are in the Divine Presence.
BUT THERE IS MORE TO THIS! Our life is not one of self discipline – like life under the Law. It is Christ who lives in us! He dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:16), and makes His abode with us (John 14:21,23). Our expectation of glory is owing to Christ's Presence within (Col 1:27).
IT IS MARVELOUS TO CONSIDER that Christ is living in us! That is something that can never be accomplished by Law. Because Law can never take away sin, it can never open the door of our hearts to Christ! Those who choose to come to God by means of Law shut themselves up to unbelief, for "the Law is not of faith" (Gal 3:12).
SPIRITUAL LIFE IS LIVED "BY FAITH," not by doing. Paul confessed he lived "by faith in the Son of God." Our persuasion of the reality of Jesus, and the effectiveness of His accomplishments and present work, causes us to be sensitive to God. That sensitivity enables us to be directed by God and led by the Spirit. It establishes the priority of hope, and causes the luster of the world to fade.
IF JESUS LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME," it is surely possible for me to do the lesser thing of loving Him and giving myself for Him. Faith gives you the vision of the real Jesus, thereby providing the incentive and strength to live for Him.
– Given O. Blakely
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