Religion
Reminders of grace
“….but the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” 2 Samuel 11:27
David’s sin with Bathsheba started out with a glance, then a gaze, and then a summons. There is always a progression with sin. It begins subtly in our thoughts and the outcome is often determined at this point. The Holy Spirit will be faithful to warn us, but we must listen. If we choose to ignore the quiet voice, the gentle tuggings at our conscience, we will find ourselves soon heading full speed down the path of iniquity.
Surely at some point while David was gazing upon Bathsheba he felt that nudging. After all, he was a man after God’s own heart. But his desire to please his flesh at that moment was stronger than his desire to please God. And Bathsheba was summoned, a child was conceived and her husband was murdered. David married Bathsheba and life continued……
But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
One of the most chilling phrases in the Bible to me is the prophet Nathan’s confrontation of David’s sin. YOU ARE THE MAN! Fear must have gripped David’s heart as he realized his sin was not hidden from the eyes of God. As a man that knew God’s law, he knew the penalty for what he had done was death.
And yet….
Although David did not escape this incident unscathed, God has extended a scepter of grace to him. Justice required his death. Mercy granted him life.
When I think of this story I am reminded of the woman caught in adultery in John 8. As she is brought to Jesus, it is recorded that he was writing on the ground. People have always wondered what he was writing. I think he was writing “David and Bathsheba”.
A reminder of grace.
If – a very big word
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
I have read my Bible faithfully (pretty much) for over 11 years. I’ve read through the New Testament more times than I remember. I’ve quoted this particular verse frequently. But I read it today and realized that I have read it incorrectly all these years.
I was reading this morning in a different translation than I usually use. Immediately I thought there must be a problem with the translation, so I looked at the verse in several other translations. And there it was in all of them – IF. Apparently it had been there all along and I hadn’t seen it. How could I not have seen it? For all those years my brain had substituted the word “because”. Maybe the reasoning behind that is that of course Jesus’ disciples would have love for one another. And so because of our love for each other people would know we are His disciples.
But it says IF.
Meaning maybe we won’t love each other.
I think that’s the saddest IF I’ve ever seen in my life.
What right have I?
“For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?” 2 Samuel 19:28
Sometimes I think I’m entitled to certain things, especially if I don’t see them as harmful. I have this bad habit of thinking I know what will make me happy. I’m not sure why I still find myself believing this from time to time because it has never proven true in the past. But there are times that I become convinced that THIS TIME I have really found exactly what I need to complete my life. And God says no.
This is where the rubber meets the road in our walk with God. What will you do with His no? I’ll tell you what I did – I cried over it, I tried to bargain with Him over it, I strayed into disobedience over it, and finally I got broken over it and let go.
I realized that I am a Mephibosheth who, by grace, has been given access to the King’s table always. Like Mephibosheth, there really is no good reason the King should have even allowed me to live, but He had mercy on me because He loves me. When I think deeply on these things I am very ashamed of how I have responded to His no.
Not only have I come to the conclusion that I have no right to complain, but I have no desire to either. Instead I will rejoice in this King who loved me enough to include me in His kingdom.
What more could I possibly need?
A deeper yes
“Count the cost
Of being Mine”
Jesus says
“Deny yourself
Take up your cross
Lose your life for My sake
And for My gospel
Be hated of the world
And esteemed a fool
This is the lot of my disciples”
“Will you lay down your will
Your desires
Your plans?
And will you embrace Mine?”
“Yes, Lord”
Is my reply
“I will follow”
Because my heart
Has thus agreed
My mind believes
It has obeyed
Yet hear this heart
When denied
It’s desires or comfort
Hear it protest
Against the unfairness
Hear it cry
How miserable it is
As it languishes in self-pity
Where now is your “Yes”?
Merciful Lord, please give me a “Yes” that penetrates to the very depths of my soul.
Entirely His
My heart’s cry
To really know
That I am
Entirely His
That each day
My life
My all
Belongs to Him
Acknowledging this
That I possess
Nothing
Save Christ
Letting go
Of worldly things
To cling to Him
Alone
These words express
My heart’s desire
But is this my
Reality
Have I given
All of me
To Him
Completely
What do I hold back
Unwilling
To lay it down
At His feet
The heart can be
Deceptive
Telling lies
To soothe my conscience
But there is yet
A voice that speaks
Into the deepest
Part of me
It bids me come
Closer still
To pursue with
Reckless abandon
Reaching, longing
Gasping for Him
All else fades
Into irrelevance
Christ alone
My one desire
That I would be
Entirely His
Watch my life and see how I trust Him
During the Wednesday night service, Pastor Randy made this statement and I can’t get it out of my head.
“Watch my life and see how I trust Him.”
As he began his message on faith, he explained that he wasn’t going to be teaching us anything new or telling us something we didn’t already know. But as I listened, I was so encouraged to believe God. It’s not that I’ve been disbelieving Him, but I think there is a level of trusting God that I have never experienced. And this is the life that causes people to take note that there is something different.
When I can learn to REALLY cast my care upon the Lord and to leave it there – they will see how I trust Him.
When I no longer complain about things that are not fair – they will see how I trust Him.
When I can truly experience His peace that passes understanding in the midst of the most difficult trials – they will see how I trust Him.
“My faith in God is not just about me, but it is a testimony to others of His goodness and faithfulness.”
I want to be able to endure in faith and obedience, trusting God completely even when the situations I am trusting Him in haven’t changed.
Israel continued to march about Jericho even though the walls never showed any sign of weakening.
The priests stepped into the overflowing waters of the Jordan although the water had not receded.
Rahab hid the spies, believing that Jericho was given to Israel even before they had crossed the Jordan and while the walls of the city were still strong.
There was no evidence to prompt their obedience. But there was faith. So believing God, they were obedient, and in one moment God changed everything.
As the apostle Paul was aboard a ship on his way to Rome, in the midst of the tempest as the storm beat violently against the ship and all hope was lost that they would reach safety, he speaks these words:
“For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” Acts 27:23-25
The storm rages, the men were hopeless, and yet he says “I believe God.”
When I look back on my life (not to mention in the word of God) there is ample evidence of His faithfulness and trustworthiness. It is scandalous that I should not trust Him always.
I long for a radical faith that just trusts God like crazy in everything. What would be the outcome if I could really live like this?
Maybe they could watch my life and see how I trust Him.
Accepted
“For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:43
He is my Delight 