EmmDev 2021-08-18 [God's help in Tough Times] Faith in Stressful Circumstances

Faith in Stressful Circumstances

Unless one reads the heading to this Psalm, one can never fully appreciate the depth of it. The heading to the Psalm is: "When David pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left."

David wrote this psalm at the start of one of the most daring and successful undercover operations in the Old Testament. He was on the run from Saul and took refuge with the Philistine King Abimelech (aka Achish). Because the Philistines were afraid of David's reputation and wanted to kill him, David feigned madness and was so convincing in his act that the king dismissed him as harmless.

Later on, as it became clear that David had become a "stench in Saul's nostrils", Abimelech began to hire David as a mercenary to raid Israel. David, however, only pretended to attack Israel and actually did harm to some of Israel's enemies. This was a very risky undertaking.

All of this background demonstrates David's courage, but also the enormity of the strain he was under and the risks he was taking. Many people feel similar levels of strain as we experience enormous uncertainty and volatility.

The verses below show us how David coped and how he experienced God's help. 

Thankfully you and I can experience the same.

I will extol the LORD at all times;     His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD;     let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me;     let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me;     He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant;     their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;     He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,     and He delivers them. (Psalms34:1-7)

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EmmDev 2021-08-17 [God's help in Tough Times] Rejoicing in God

Rejoicing in God

Today's reading is from the song Moses sang once they had come through the Red Sea. It's a glorious triumphant song and I would like to think that it had a foot-stomping "fight-song" tune that stuck in one's mind and had one humming or singing bits of it out loud.

The song is an expression of profound relief and joy.

They're free! Their enemy is vanquished!

And Moses is rejoicing in the God who gave victory.

The song is 18 verses long and deserves to be read in its entirety. 

(I've only given you a part of it...)

Moses celebrates:

- What God has done
- That God is a Warrior

- God's hand, God's arm, God's breath (nostril blast!)

I wonder if we are not sometimes too restrained in our praise and adoration?

In his about the healing of the lame man lowered through the roof, Don Fransisco says: 
"And the crowd came alive as I walked to the street

Much shouting and clapping and stamping of feet

My friends and I danced like we'd just won a war

And we laughed 'til we cried, and praised God some more."

When God answers our prayers, when we remember that our sins are defeated, when we remember that the grave's threats are empty and when we remember that we are precious and loved in spite of our brokenness should we not be writing poems about God's hands and arms and even the breath of His nostrils?

Read Moses' beautiful praise below and then turn up the praise music, or write a poem about God's goodness or just throw your head back and shout HALLELUJAH!

"I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted.   The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.  The LORD is my strength and my song;     He has become my salvation.   He is my God, and I will praise Him,     my father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has hurled into the sea.   The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them;     they sank to the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power.   Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty     you threw down those who opposed you.   You unleashed your burning anger;     it consumed them like stubble. By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up.   The surging waters stood firm like a wall;     the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy boasted,     'I will pursue, I will overtake them.   I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them.   I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.' But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them.   They sank like lead in the mighty waters." (Exodus15:1-10)

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EmmDev 2021-08-13 [God's help in Tough Times] Faithful Protector

Faithful Protector

There are no guarantees for an easy and trouble free life. Our world is broken and in a broken world broken things happen.

The church in Thessalonica knew this well. When Paul first brought the Gospel to their city, some trouble makers stirred up a riot that was so bad that Paul and Silas had to flee to the next town and the trouble-makers followed after them (Acts 17). They also knew that Paul had been stoned at Iconium (Acts 14).

Miraculously Paul survived being stoned (he was left for dead and the elders gathered around him and prayed and he was revived) and the Thessalonian church grew into a healthy congregation in spite of the tough start.

For Paul the message was all important. His desire and priority was the proclamation of the message of God's Good News. He understood that this message would not always be well-received for "not everyone has faith."

We are not always spared hardship, but God is at work to strengthen and protect us in the midst of hardship and sometimes it's the hardships that pressurise and squeeze us that produce the most beautiful diamonds. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you.  And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2Thessalonians3:1-3)

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EmmDev 2021-08-12 [God's help in Tough Times] Jeshurun... (part 2)

Jeshurun... (part 2)

Yesterday we looked at "Jesuhurun", the "pet name" God gives to Israel.

We saw how the name is ironic in that it means "upright" but we know that Israel was not always upright. We also saw that it was prophetic in the sense that Israel (and you and I) would become upright because of what Jesus did for us on the cross when He died to atone for our sins.

Today we look at the rest of this passage, remembering that it is the conclusion to the blessings Moses was pronouncing over the 12 tribes before they entered the Promised Land under the newly appointed Joshua. And let's recognise that this is the Spirit-inspired heartfelt blessing of a leader who had served his flock through thick and thin for over 40 years...

It needs to be said that while this passage may sound triumphalistic, it is a promise given to a nation that has experienced slavery, the hardship of the wilderness, the consequences of disobedience and the reality of waiting. This is no "name it and claim it" theology for armchair Christians, these are precious promises to pilgrims and sojourners.

And so the promise comes to Jeshurun, (the not-so-upright-but-forgiven-and-beloved Israel). The promise is that the glorious God (who rides the clouds in majesty) will also be the arms that catch and hold them. This again echoes the irony of "Jeshurun": God is "up there" and we should strive to live up to His holiness, but when we stumble He will catch us "down there". 

And so He will ultimately drive out our enemies and grant us security and victory over our enemies. This is the promise given to those who would journey with God. Not quick fixes, not name-it-and-claim-it, but journey. 

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,     who rides on the heavens to help you     and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge,     and underneath are the everlasting arms.   He will drive out your enemy before you,     saying, 'Destroy him!' So Israel will live in safety alone;     Jacob's spring is secure   in a land of grain and new wine,     where the heavens drop dew. Blessed are you, O Israel!     Who is like you,     a people saved by the LORD?   He is your shield and helper     and your glorious sword.   Your enemies will cower before you,     and you will trample down their high places. " (Deuteronomy33:26-29)

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EmmDev 2021-08-11 [God's help in Tough Times] Jeshurun... (part 1)

Jeshurun... (part 1)

A while ago we looked at Deuteronomy 31 where Moses started handing over the leadership of Israel to Joshua and preparing the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. Now in ch.33 Moses has pronounced a blessing over each of the twelve tribes and it culminates in a combined blessing over the whole nation who he describes as "Jeshurun".

This word is interesting. It's derived from a word that means "upright." It's used only four times in the Old Testament (3 times in Deuteronomy and once in Isaiah) What is very interesting is that when the Hebrew Old Testament was translated into Greek (the Septuagint) those early translators used a derivative of the word "agape" which implied that this was a term of endearment or pet name for Israel

One of the occurrences of "Jeshurun" is not so flattering:

  Jeshurun grew fat and kicked;

    filled with food, he became heavy and sleek.

  He abandoned the God who made him

    and rejected the Rock his Saviour. (Deut.32:15)

And herein lies the beauty of our passage. God calls Israel and us to be "upright", but even when "Jeshurun" is not "upright", God remains faithful and maintains his promise to us.

We see the same in Isaiah 44:2:

  Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,

    Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

In these parallel poetry lines Jacob and Jeshurun are equivalent. "Jacob" means "deceiver" or "supplanter" but God chooses Jacob's nation to be "Jeshurun" (upright).  This forshadows what Jesus did for us:
"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2Cor5:21)

Not only are we living in trying times, but in my tiredness and humanity, I sometimes feel like I am not enough and not doing enough. The good news is that God, in spite of my failures and mistakes, calls me "Jeshurun".

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,     who rides on the heavens to help you     and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge,     and underneath are the everlasting arms.   He will drive out your enemy before you,     saying, 'Destroy him!' So Israel will live in safety alone;     Jacob's spring is secure   in a land of grain and new wine,     where the heavens drop dew. Blessed are you, O Israel!     Who is like you,     a people saved by the LORD?   He is your shield and helper     and your glorious sword.   Your enemies will cower before you,     and you will trample down their high places. " (Deuteronomy33:26-29)

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EmmDev 2021-08-10 [God's help in Tough Times] So... call!

So... call!

Psalm 145 is a celebration of God's goodness and might.

It is also a celebration of His compassion, love and faithfulness.

It is an acrostic poem which means that each line starts with the next letter of the alphabet, moving from "A to Z", or in the case of Hebrew (Alef to Taw).

If we exclude the introduction (v1-2) and the conclusion (v.21) there are four "movements" in the Psalm:

• Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise, His greatness no one can fathom. (v.3-7)
• The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. (v.8-13a)
• The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. (v.13b-16)
• The LORD is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. (v.17-20)
  

Our reading today comes from the fourth movement and offers a two-pronged hope: Righteousness and Love. Now it may sound strange to find our hope in God's righteousness - especially as one could fall on the wrong side of that righteousness! But if God were not righteous then we could not expect justice and, if God's love was not just, favouritism becomes a possibility. Knowing that God is righteous means we are equally loved but it also means that if we abuse His grace, we must face the consequences. Righteous love is not a pushover.

Some might argue that God's unconditional love is, in fact, conditional because it is based on our good behaviour! But this misses the point: Our bad behaviour doesn't cause Him to love us less, but it does unleash consequences. We cut ourselves off from God's love when we rebel against Him. God continues to love us and that's why He sent His Son to die for us while we were still sinners. (Rom5:8) The cross is where righteousness and love meet.

But the comfort for today is this: In a crazy confused world where much happens that is unfair and unjust, we can call on a God who is near to those who call on Him and He hears their cry and saves them.

So call on Him! You are loved and He is just, He will be at work and, even if we don't find the scales balancing immediately, we know that He is at work.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways     and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him,     to all who call on him in truth. He fulfils the desires of those who fear him;     he hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him,     but all the wicked he will destroy. (Psalms145:17-20)

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EmmDev 2021-08-06 [God's help in Tough Times] Looking up vs Giving up

Looking up vs Giving up

Hebrew (which is the language Isaiah wrote in) is a very expressive language. If a word didn't quite describe the thing or action they had in mind, they would invent another. For an ancient language, Hebrew has a huge dictionary and many many words to choose from.

In the light of this, it is interesting that the Hebrew word for 'weary' appears four times. The root of this word means 'weary, tired, exhausted.' And in the light of the context of this passage it is significant to see this word repeated.

Isaiah is speaking to the exiled community who find themselves in the desert lands of Babylon, dislocated and devastated. They are convinced that God has forgotten them. They are depressed, broken, and tired. They have focussed on the experience of exile - on the frustration of their circumstances. Their vision is dominated by their situation - and they are weary: Dog-dead-tired.

Isaiah's advice is vital:

- God is not subject to the same numbing tiredness of heart and soul.

- God sees the weary and the tired and gives them strength

- Even the young and the strong can get tired - it's ok!

- There is inspiration, courage, and strength available for those who hope in Him.

This did not mean that they came out of the exile immediately - but rather that there would be a song of hope and courage in their hearts that brought them through their situations and helped them cope!

What does this mean for us?

• Our weariness does not define us and God is not subject to our spiritual, moral, and emotional lethargy.
• We are not defined by our circumstances.
• I can't look into myself for strength because I get tired.
• But I look up to Him for strength.

The eagle soars by concentrating on finding the thermals that will lift him up. When we concentrate on God's provision and not our circumstances or our tiredness then we can soar. 

Why do you say O Jacob and complain O Israel: 'My way is hidden from the Lord - My cause is disregarded by my God?' Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God - the Creator of the ends of the earth He will not grow tired or weary and His understanding no-one can fathom He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength They will soar on wings like eagles They will run and not grow weary They will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah40:27-31)

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EmmDev 2021-08-04 [God's help in Tough Times] The sneakiness of worry

The sneakiness of worry

There is a superb balance in Scripture:
There is a perfect balance in the holiness and nearness of God.
There is a delicate balance between faith and works.
The Deity and Humanity of Christ seem like opposites and yet both are needed.

Justice and Mercy find their balance on the cross...

So too, worry and work are in balance...

The Scriptures are clear: Work is a blessing and a calling. Paul also admonishes the Thessalonians: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (Note: It says "will not work" not "does not not work").

But we can become obsessed with material things. Our reading for today comes from Luke's gospel and Jesus has just told the parable of the foolish farmer who has become the "sole-proprietor" of his life. He has plans to tear down his barns and build bigger ones and to use his great success to secure a comfortable independent life for himself.

But the farmer had forgotten two things. Firstly, he forgot that it was the land that produced a magnificent crop. This was a blessing that he had no control over, but he took it for granted. Secondly, he forgot that life can be unpredictable. His focus, his obsession, his preoccupation was himself and his stuff.

In the light of the foolish farmer's failure, Jesus speaks about worry.

When we forget what we have freely received and we when we forget that we don't know what's coming, we succumb to the myth of self-determination and this leads to worry.

When we read the verses below, we tend to interpret them as saying: "Don't work, don't plan, don't make provision - just trust God." That's not helpful. The foolish farmer is our reference point. He forgot God, tried to do it by himself and focused on material things.

Jesus points us to the birds and the flowers. Birds still forage and flowers grow and photosynthesise. They are not passive, but they are also not obsessive. Worry is sneaky - it takes the daily gifts of work and living and causes us to obsess over them.

John Ortberg said "There's good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a God. The bad news is that it's not you!" But he went on to say: "And the bad news is actually good news too."

The farmer lives by: "He who has the most toys wins"
Jesus says "Real life happens when we trust God before all else."

Read the verses below as Jesus meant them: Learn to live, trusting in the God who provides and gives.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke12:22-31)

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EmmDev 2021-08-03 [God's help in Tough Times] Looking in the wrong places

Looking in the wrong places

A bully is someone who uses their apparent strength to intimidate us and make us feel powerless. Very often the bully isn't as strong as we think, or there is someone stronger than them.

Our reading today comes from the end of Deuteronomy where Moses gives a final address to Israel and then draws his protege' Joshua to one side for one final mentoring session.

Joshua and the nation will be facing a number of "bullies":

• Enemies that made them feel like grass-hoppers
• An unknown future 
• Transitions: New leadership, a new lifestyle (from nomadic wanders to pioneering settlers) and from fleeing to asserting themselves.

Currently we face similar bullies...

God urges the nation and Joshua:

1. Draw from the wells of strength and courage
2. Don't drink the brack water of fear and terror
3. Remember, remember, remember, remember  that God is with you and will not leave you. Even and especially when the bullies come.

My cell-phone camera can auto-focus on faces. This can be useful, but also bothersome if I'm actually trying to focus on something else. In these paranoid times, we easily focus on the faces of the bullies and their fake news...

Our passage today shows us where to look and where not to...

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."               (Deuteronomy31:6-8)

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EmmDev 2021-07-20 [God's help in Tough Times] STAY strong and courageous

STAY strong and courageous

 (I wrote this three years ago - seems even more relevant now...)

The Hebrew word used for God's Word implies a road or a pathway. When we face big challenges and have big shoes to fill, our strength and courage is greatest when we are on the right path. As God gives Joshua his marching orders, He refers him to a safe pathway - God's Law.

But what was "the Law"?

Joshua didn't have a full Bible. He only had the laws given to the people on Mount Sinai and in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. His "Bible" didn't have Psalms, prophets, or New Testament.

So how does a bunch of ceremonial and moral laws give courage, strength and success in a dangerous mission?

These laws reveal the character and nature God and provide the ethics of a just and caring society. A quick glance at the Ten Commandments reveals this:

1. No other Gods - this is obvious - when we take our eyes off the one true God we will sink in the brokenness of the world.
2. No idols/graven images - The minute we try to draw God or make a statue of Him, we begin to limit Him and shape Him according to our own desires.
3. Don't misuse God's name: when we use God's name for our purposes instead of in worship we shipwreck ourselves.
4. Remember the Sabbath: Take time to slow down and remember that everything comes from God.
5. Honour your parents: It is easy to discard the elderly and when we do this society crumbles.
6. Don't murder: Life isn't cheap
7. Don't commit adultery: Marriage is a stabilising force for society
8. Don't steal: Taking without earning creates a downward spiral that devalues work and human dignity.
9. Don't lie: Truth holds society together
10. Don't covet: Unbridled ambition and greed destabilises society

Joshua is called to create a Godly, just and caring society. This society needs to be under-girded by values and principles. These values are the worship of God, the valuing of life and property and the reining in of the vices of greed and ambition.

Joshua isn't being asked to have the kind for quiet time that involves an over-spiritualised reading of a 'comfortable' psalm or proverb each day. He is not being invited to stay hidden in an ivory tower. He is being asked to relentlessly engage with the commandments and guidelines that will help him build a society on values and principles that reveal God's righteousness and create a just society.

This is the path to walk on if we want to be strong and courageous.

And before we point the finger at others, we should check our own hearts...

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua1:6-9)

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