See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. Hebrews 12:25a
Today I received in the mail a book I have wanted for quite some time. I finally ordered it – Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology. It was with great delight this afternoon that I read Chapter 1 – The Word of God. It dealt with the different forms of the Word of God: decrees, personal address, through prophets, and the written Word – the Bible.
It amazes me that all through the history of mankind, God has been speaking to us. That He should have any desire to communicate with us at all, much less to reveal Himself to us through that communication, is difficult to comprehend. It is as though throughout the ages He has been proclaiming “Know Me.” Imagine it! He desires to be known by us.
Although I have never heard the audible voice of God, I do believe that He speaks to me. When I read His Word He shows me areas of danger in my life and teaches me how to live a life that honors Him. As I pray, He points out places in my life and my heart that are not right before Him. As I worship, He floods my heart with revelation of His merciful kindness and glorious holiness. How can one not delight in such a God as this!!!
He still speaks! Oh Lord, that I would have ears to hear You and a heart to know You.
It was early in the morning, just barely daylight and I had taken a different route to work than usual. As I neared the railroad track that runs through town, I saw the lights begin to flash and heard the unmistakable sound of an approaching train. I stopped at the track and watched the freight cars go by, my window rolled down so I could hear the rhythmic clacking of the train as it passed. My eyes were drawn to the colorful graffiti that decorated most of the cars and my mind drifted back to a documentary I had seen years ago about the emergence of graffiti as a kind of artwork. I remembered that they had called it “tagging” and that each “tagger” had their own unique style that made their graffiti original. Almost like a signature, imprinting the identification of its creator. And then I thought about the Lord Jesus – how He desires for me to carry His signature on my life so that when anyone looks at me, they see His imprint. The desire to have this become the reality of my life began to burn within me and with tears I cried out “Tag me Lord Jesus. Sign your name on my life.”
In Acts Chapter 4, the rulers of the people of Israel took Peter and John into custody to question them. Verse 13 says “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
When people look at me what do they see? Do they see someone who has been with Jesus? Do they recognize His signature upon my life?
Prayer: Tag me Lord Jesus. Make me so entirely your own, so markedly identifiable as yours, that there will be no mistaking whose I am. When people look at me, I pray that they will not marvel at my accomplishments, my education or my success, but that they will take note that I have been with You.
Several times in the past few years I’ve been invited to various parties designed to provide an opportunity for someone to sell me a product. The invitation promises good food and usually a giveaway of prizes. Free stuff – that’s how to draw a crowd.
Except I’m just not interested. I can think of about ten thousand things I would rather do with my time. Expensive makeup and house wares are not high on my list of priorities. It is not a tempting invitation and I feel quite comfortable disregarding it. I’ve just got better things to do.
This is the attitude of those invited to the king’s wedding banquet in Matthew 22:5
“But they were not concerned and paid no attention [they ignored and made light of the summons, treating it with contempt] and they went away–one to his farm, another to his business” (Amplified)
Imagine getting a personal invitation to a royal wedding! Nothing is expected from you except that you show up and enjoy the festivities and feasting. Then imagine preferring to spend a day at the office or working out in the open field instead. It really is beyond ridiculous.
Unfortunately this is the attitude of many concerning the state of their soul. The invitation has been given in the message of the gospel. All preparations have been made by the all sufficient sacrifice of Christ. But the sinful heart of man prefers its own labors rather than the provision of God.
Let us not be careless with eternal things. Let us not disregard the One who bids us come. It is not a thing to be made light of. All that this world offers will fade into nothingness the moment after our final breath. And then what will all our earthly labors be worth?
Matthew 2:1-3 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
King Herod was a ruler with no rights to the throne he occupied. He was an Edomite (a descendent of Esau) appointed by the Romans to rule over Israel. His fear of a rival to his throne led him to murder even his own family members. His priority was protecting his throne at all costs.
Into such an environment the wise men came, seeking the true King of Israel – He who has been born King of the Jews. And suddenly Herod is confronted with yet another rival and the throne must again be defended. There was no confusion in his mind concerning the meaning of such a thing, for he then inquires where the Christ is to be born. Fully aware that this newborn King is the promised Messiah, he sets about devising a murderous plan to rid himself of this rival as well. It is shocking to read of the brutal measures he was willing to take to secure this end.
But are we any different?
Maybe I have never murdered anyone, but I have certainly gone to great lengths to protect the throne of rulership of my life. Feeling competent and entitled to reign, I have ruled my life according to my own desires, usually with devastating consequences. But even then I have protected my throne.
Becoming a Christian changed this to a large degree. I can gladly acknowledge that the throne is Christ’s, but I find that there are still times that I feel like I should be co-regent, at the very least giving input into decisions. However, Christ does not require my input, only my obedience.
So as I walk this path of faith, I am learning that I still need to protect the throne. But now I am protecting it from myself.
He is my Delight 