Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 1 Samuel 14:19
Israel was engaged in battle with the Philistines. Saul has commanded the priest to bring the ark, presumably so he could inquire of God for direction in the battle. As the priest is inquiring, Saul hears the noise of battle and becomes aware of a shift in circumstances – the enemy is fleeing. He decides there is no longer any need to inquire of the Lord. He instructs the priest to “withdraw his hand”, and then engages in the battle. He has in essense just told the Lord “nevermind”. Not a wise move. But then Saul was not especially well known for his wisdom in dealing with the things of God.
For several days this phrase stayed with me – withdraw your hand. I couldn’t seem to get away from it – a sure sign that the Lord had something more to show me about this verse. The moment of revelation came earlier this week during my prayer time. Several months ago I had begun crying out to the Lord to increase my love for others. This prayer was answered in some amazing ways, bringing much joy into my life as I saw the hand of God at work in this area. But then a few days ago I realized that the love was all but gone and I began to question why. In answer to my prayer the Lord brought this verse to my mind again – withdraw your hand.
There are times when I am deeply aware of my deficiencies and failures. At these times I become desperate for the Lord to change me and I seek Him earnestly to do that. And He is always so faithful to answer. But as He begins to work and I see change, I cease to pray, thinking that all is well with me now. And my life becomes characterized by this verse in Galatians 3 “Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
What is it about us that we so strongly resist the dependence that the Lord requires in order to bring about true Christ exalting transformation? Preferring our own efforts, we miss the beauty of fellowship with our Lord that takes place during these times of seeking Him to guide and lead us into victory over the Philistines in our own lives.
Oh Lord, I know not how to battle, I know not how to fight, but must have Your guidance and Your hand at work in my life. Should you withdraw Your hand and leave me to my own devices, defeat is certain. Help me to ever humble myself under Your mighty hand.
While listening to a series of biographies by John Piper, I heard this quote from David Brainerd’s journal:
When I really enjoy God, I feel my desires of him the more insatiable, and my thirstings after holiness the more unquenchable
Oh for holiness!
Oh for more of God in my soul!
Oh this pleasing pain!
It makes my soul press after God
Oh that I might not loiter on my heavenly journey!
Consider these few of the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, made by the time he was 20 years old.
Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’ s
Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
We could learn much from the lives and devotion of those who have gone before us in the faith.
Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?” So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to you.” 1 Samuel 6:20-21
The ark of God, the place of His presence among Israel, had been captured by the Philistines and remained among them for seven months. As the judgment of God broke out among their cities, they wisely decided to return the ark to Israel. The Scripture says that the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping the wheat harvest “and when they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced to see it.”
What could have made any inhabitant of Israel happier than to see the ark of God returning? The people of Beth-shemesh called the Levites to come and handle the ark. They prepared a burnt offering for the Lord. So far, so good. But this is the end of their reverent obedience, for some of the men looked into the ark of God, prompting an outbreak of judgment upon them.
Rather than repenting before God when they see His displeasure over their disobedience, they try to find somewhere else to send the ark of God. They were happy to have the presence of God until it means their sin was going to be judged. And the thing that once brought them great joy, they now seek to be rid of.
They were right to ask the question “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?” It is right to recognize and be in awe of the holiness of God. It is right to realize that, possessing no righteousness of our own, we cannot stand before Him, . Their question is right, but their answer is wrong – “come down and take it up to you.”
Many people say that they desire the presence of God not realizing that the nearness of God means that sin will be dealt with. Those pet sins that we have not yet repented of even though the Holy Spirit has brought conviction, will eventually be dealt with firmly. Inevitably we all come to the point that we must make a choice. Send away the sin or send away God.
Will you be offended when God deals harshly with you because of the sin you have cherished? Is so, you will surely be one who sends God away. But let us not be as the people of Beth-shemesh. Let us instead humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, prepared to send away anything and everything except Him. If only we may have His presence, the loss of all else means nothing. Nothing at all.
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 considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Hebrews 11:26
American society is wealth and prosperity focused. Men and women alike dedicate themselves to climbing the corporate ladder in an attempt to attain the level of financial and societal accomplishment that they perceive as “success”. In fact, Webster’s dictionary defines success as “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence”. In a society that embraces this definition of success, even considering the reproach of Christ is not only unappealing, it is ridiculous.
But for those of us who have been born of the Spirit, sharing the reproach of Christ becomes desirable as we seek to be like our Master in all things. This One who left the glory of heaven to become one of us, Who suffered the ultimate reproach for us – yes, we will choose to be identified with Him and share in His sufferings.
There is a secret known only to those who follow the way of the cross. It is not a secret that we have been told. It is one that we have lived. And it is this – though the cost of following Christ means the loss of all things, though it means the scorn of others, though it means trial after trial that seemingly would crush us to pieces – there is a holy sweetness in the crushing as we see the character of Christ being formed in us. Oh, how we will gladly be hated for His sake, for as we surrender ourselves to Him in the midst of the vilest cruelty, the greatness of His love poured out in us far outweighs the depth of the hatred displayed towards us.
Hebrews 13:13 “Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured.”
As we separate ourselves from the empty pleasures the world chases after, let us remember that we do this not as some outward show of piety, but for a purpose – so that we can go to Him. Suffering in and of itself holds no value, but when we suffer for His sake, we have the hope of a reward that is greater wealth than all the riches this world could offer.
So let us look away from the distractions this world flaunts before our eyes and fix our gaze firmly upon the greatest treasure – the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is my Delight 