The Power of God #2
Exodus 14-16 | Psalm 22 | Romans 1
We read recently of God's awesome power in the miraculous signs He performed for Pharoah and the Egyptians to free the Isrealites from slavery. The Israelites had been in Egypt for almost 400 years when Moses, empowered by God, confronted Pharoah demanding the release of God's People. The Israelites themselves witnssed the amazing power of God in the ten plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn sons throughout the land (apart from their own).
Today we read of the Israelites persued by the Egyptians, eventually (after being led by God) hemmed in by the Red Sea. In despair they cried out to Moses and Aaron: "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, `Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" (Ex. 14:11-12)
After seeing God's power in Egypt the Israelites quickly lost faith, forgetting that God was watching over them and seeking their safe deliverance to the promised land. They could not imagine a way out so they would have given up had Moses not given them reason to continue. As we read, God opened a channel in the sea for the Israelites to walk through on dry ground, delivering His people and glorifying His own name.
It's not uncommon in our day to find ourselves in a tight spot and think (perhaps subconciously) that there is nothing God can do to help us. The Israelites stood on the shore of the Red Sea and failed to imagine any way God could save them - least of all opening a passage in the sea with a wall of water on their left and on their right to bring them safely to the other side.
But we know that God's kingdom and power is not of this world - He does not work in ways we would expect Him to, and has power beyond our comprehension; He created us and all things, He has power and dominion over all things; who are we to think that He cannot help us in a tight situation!
There is a similar thought-pattern in today's psalm: David begins with the infamous, "My God My God, why have you forsaken me?", before considering the glory of God "enthroned as the Holy One" and remembering that his ancestors (the Israelites preceeding him) had put their trust in God. David eventually concludes that God has not abandoned him, but has listened to his cry for help, giving him much to praise Him for.
God often works in ways that we do not expect - it is not uncommon for prayer to be answered by God in such a way that we don't realise it has been answered until we look back on the situation to find God's influence. It is at times like these that we find much to thank and praise God for. It is also for this reason that many Christians use a prayer diary to record the topics of their prayers each day.
God used the escape of the Israelites to affect great and miraculous signs, bringing glory to His name. By trusting God's power in your life, bringing problems and praise alike to God in prayer, you too are glorifying His name. Thinking (even subconsciously) that God can't help you in any given situation is the exact opposite.
Praise God for His immense and often surprising power, praying that you may see ever more clearly how He has worked in your life and that you may trust Him especially in the 'tight' situations.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Sunday Christian
The Sunday Christian
Exodus 17-19 | Psalm 23 | Romans 2
In today's reading of Exodus God promises Israel that if they obey Him fully and keep His covenant, they will be for Him a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation". The Israelites were to know God's will and seek to apply it in their lives.
When we read of Paul's day (well over a thousand years later) in his letter to the Roman believers, we find that he has to rebuke the Jewish believers for acting as though their knowledge of God's law made them superior to the Gentile (non-Jewish) believers. 'It isn't important whether you have been given the law or not,' writes Paul, 'rather, it is important to keep the law if you know it. All men have consciences and know right from wrong, and those who haven't been given God's law will be judged by their consciences.'
The Jews Paul wrote to had lost sight of the meaning of the Law and simply trusted in knowing it, lording it over the struggling Gentile believers. But the law was there so that the Israelites could know God's will and apply it to their lives. Failing to do God's will after having received it in written form is much like a lawyer who fails to see that the law of the land actually applies to him - the whole point in both cases is the application of the law, not the knowledge of the law.
Christians today often fall into a similar trap: it is not uncommon for believers to follow a path of works though outwardly paying tribute to salvation by faith alone. "Sunday Christians" is a term categorising those who 'act Christian' around their Christian friends or at church, whilst reverting to other behaviour at all other times.
It is easy to grow to think that attending Church is all that God wants, indeed this seems to be a common belief in parts of the established Church. It is easy to believe that regular outward shows of a loyalty to the Christian Church is sufficent - as opposed to possessing faith in Christ.
Such thinking is a loss of sight of the real purpose of our faith: God wants to be in a relationship with us and so sent His Son to die in order that those relationships could happen. Then He sent His Holy Spirit so that those relationships could flourish and eventuate in eternal life with Him.
Regular church attendance - as well as good deeds and other Christian acts - are important and beneficial but aren't in themselves a relationship with God - they are not the purpose for which God sent His son to die. The Church was established by Jesus so that believers could carry out God's will together, recieving encouragement and support from each other - it is simply meant to aid believers in their relationship with God. Like the Jews who focussed on the means God provided to the end rather than the end itself, believers can focus on the Christian lifestyle rather than the Christian purpose.
Satan does His best to pervert the will of God in this world and the fallacy of a Christian without faith in Christ is a common tool he uses.
Reflect on today's psalm, and pray that God will aid you in your faith in Him: that you may always trust Him and always remain focussed on your salvation through faith.
Exodus 17-19 | Psalm 23 | Romans 2
In today's reading of Exodus God promises Israel that if they obey Him fully and keep His covenant, they will be for Him a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation". The Israelites were to know God's will and seek to apply it in their lives.
When we read of Paul's day (well over a thousand years later) in his letter to the Roman believers, we find that he has to rebuke the Jewish believers for acting as though their knowledge of God's law made them superior to the Gentile (non-Jewish) believers. 'It isn't important whether you have been given the law or not,' writes Paul, 'rather, it is important to keep the law if you know it. All men have consciences and know right from wrong, and those who haven't been given God's law will be judged by their consciences.'
The Jews Paul wrote to had lost sight of the meaning of the Law and simply trusted in knowing it, lording it over the struggling Gentile believers. But the law was there so that the Israelites could know God's will and apply it to their lives. Failing to do God's will after having received it in written form is much like a lawyer who fails to see that the law of the land actually applies to him - the whole point in both cases is the application of the law, not the knowledge of the law.
Christians today often fall into a similar trap: it is not uncommon for believers to follow a path of works though outwardly paying tribute to salvation by faith alone. "Sunday Christians" is a term categorising those who 'act Christian' around their Christian friends or at church, whilst reverting to other behaviour at all other times.
It is easy to grow to think that attending Church is all that God wants, indeed this seems to be a common belief in parts of the established Church. It is easy to believe that regular outward shows of a loyalty to the Christian Church is sufficent - as opposed to possessing faith in Christ.
Such thinking is a loss of sight of the real purpose of our faith: God wants to be in a relationship with us and so sent His Son to die in order that those relationships could happen. Then He sent His Holy Spirit so that those relationships could flourish and eventuate in eternal life with Him.
Regular church attendance - as well as good deeds and other Christian acts - are important and beneficial but aren't in themselves a relationship with God - they are not the purpose for which God sent His son to die. The Church was established by Jesus so that believers could carry out God's will together, recieving encouragement and support from each other - it is simply meant to aid believers in their relationship with God. Like the Jews who focussed on the means God provided to the end rather than the end itself, believers can focus on the Christian lifestyle rather than the Christian purpose.
Satan does His best to pervert the will of God in this world and the fallacy of a Christian without faith in Christ is a common tool he uses.
Reflect on today's psalm, and pray that God will aid you in your faith in Him: that you may always trust Him and always remain focussed on your salvation through faith.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Power of God #1
The Power of God #1
Exodus 8-10 | Psalm 20 | John 20
In readings from Exodus we have seen, and are still to see, great demonstrations of God's power. Although each of the first nine 'plagues' (those we have read of so far) occur to a certain extent annually in Egypt between the months of July and April, the Israelites see the power of God acting on their behalf in the great ferocity of each. Although the magicians of the land could reproduce some of the great acts that Moses confronted Pharaoh with, they eventually also saw the divine power behind those events and exclaimed: "This is the finger of God" (8:19).
It is also significant to comment that the plagues often carried a special significance with respect to the gods of Egypt: The Nile River was revered in Egyptian culture due to its important role in sustaining life. But God showed that He is the One True God by turning the river blood red thus removing the 'unique' ability of the river to sustain. The Egyptians also and predominantly worshipped the sun god Amon-Ra as their divine father, yet God sent the plague of darkness to show His power over the sun - which in truth is merely a creation of His.
Today's psalm similarly tells of the power of God and that we should trust in Him:
Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm. (vv.6-8)
After centuries of enslavement how amazing it would have been for the Israelites to see the hand of God working for them to secure their release - but not only that, to see that He is using their situation to show His power, to show the truth in what they worship and the falsity in what the Egyptians worshipped. Imagine knowing that the God who created all things, the God who sustained all things, was working in such a powerful way for your good! Imagine that God had displayed His power and love in such an awesome way for your sake.
Now remember what we read from John today: God raised Jesus from the dead - Jesus was dead... and then God brought Him back to life. We know that God did this for us: this was to show His power over death so that we could have confidence in His power to raise us up to be with Him at the last day (He will raise all believers, many who have or will have died, to be with Him for eternity). The power of God has indeed been shown for us in a very powerful and loving way.
God also works powerfully in our time and in our lives, though often not to such an obvious and cataclysmic extent as recorded in Exodus. Not only was His power shown for you in the death and resurrection of Jesus, remember His power to call you into faith with Him, and His power to equip you with the Holy Spirit; remember the power of the Spirit to work in you, and remember His power to empower you.
In all these ways and more God has worked powerfully for our individual as well as collective benefit. In response we must entrust Him with all things in our lives as He has asked us to: we must live His way, following His guidance, seeking His glory. He is surely worthy of our trust!
"We trust in the name of the Lord our God... we rise up and stand firm."
Praise the Almighty and everling God who created all things and works in everything for the good of those who love Him. Pray that you would be able to trust in Him as He desires, seeking His will, and glorifying His name.
Exodus 8-10 | Psalm 20 | John 20
In readings from Exodus we have seen, and are still to see, great demonstrations of God's power. Although each of the first nine 'plagues' (those we have read of so far) occur to a certain extent annually in Egypt between the months of July and April, the Israelites see the power of God acting on their behalf in the great ferocity of each. Although the magicians of the land could reproduce some of the great acts that Moses confronted Pharaoh with, they eventually also saw the divine power behind those events and exclaimed: "This is the finger of God" (8:19).
It is also significant to comment that the plagues often carried a special significance with respect to the gods of Egypt: The Nile River was revered in Egyptian culture due to its important role in sustaining life. But God showed that He is the One True God by turning the river blood red thus removing the 'unique' ability of the river to sustain. The Egyptians also and predominantly worshipped the sun god Amon-Ra as their divine father, yet God sent the plague of darkness to show His power over the sun - which in truth is merely a creation of His.
Today's psalm similarly tells of the power of God and that we should trust in Him:
Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm. (vv.6-8)
After centuries of enslavement how amazing it would have been for the Israelites to see the hand of God working for them to secure their release - but not only that, to see that He is using their situation to show His power, to show the truth in what they worship and the falsity in what the Egyptians worshipped. Imagine knowing that the God who created all things, the God who sustained all things, was working in such a powerful way for your good! Imagine that God had displayed His power and love in such an awesome way for your sake.
Now remember what we read from John today: God raised Jesus from the dead - Jesus was dead... and then God brought Him back to life. We know that God did this for us: this was to show His power over death so that we could have confidence in His power to raise us up to be with Him at the last day (He will raise all believers, many who have or will have died, to be with Him for eternity). The power of God has indeed been shown for us in a very powerful and loving way.
God also works powerfully in our time and in our lives, though often not to such an obvious and cataclysmic extent as recorded in Exodus. Not only was His power shown for you in the death and resurrection of Jesus, remember His power to call you into faith with Him, and His power to equip you with the Holy Spirit; remember the power of the Spirit to work in you, and remember His power to empower you.
In all these ways and more God has worked powerfully for our individual as well as collective benefit. In response we must entrust Him with all things in our lives as He has asked us to: we must live His way, following His guidance, seeking His glory. He is surely worthy of our trust!
"We trust in the name of the Lord our God... we rise up and stand firm."
Praise the Almighty and everling God who created all things and works in everything for the good of those who love Him. Pray that you would be able to trust in Him as He desires, seeking His will, and glorifying His name.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
God's Will For Our Lives
God's Will For Our Lives
Exodus 11-13 | Psalm 21 | John 21
Today's Psalm contains the words of David, king of Israel, praising God for always providing for him, and granting him every desire of his heart:
O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
You have granted him the desire of his heart
and have not withheld the request of his lips...(vv.1-2)
David goes on to attribute God's blessing to his own trust in the Lord: "For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken" (v.7). Does this mean that all Christians will receive similar blessing? Happily, we find the answer in today's reading of John.
Folowing Jesus' repeated commands to Peter to 'feed His sheep', Peter is 'reinstated' and Jesus tells him that, 'when he was younger, he dressed himself and went where he wanted; but when he is old he will stretch out his hands, and someone else will dress him and lead him where he does not want to go' (v.18). John then comments: "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God."
In the case of Peter, 'following Christ' meant a life of service to Christ; 'feeding His sheep', ensuring growth and love within the Church. It also meant that he would die in the service of Christ (as hinted at in v.18 & 13:36-37). Early tradition and a few sources proclaim that Peter was eventually crucified as well (though he only went happily to such a death upside down, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ), however these sources are viewed as unreliable. Nevertheless, Peter died a martyr in the service of the Lord after having served Him continually.
Following these remarks of Jesus, we get a small insight into the future life of the disciple John ('the one whom Jesus loved'), with the mention of long life (though he did die). We learn from other books in the Bible and other sources that in the case of John, 'following Christ' would not be such a dramatic and obviously heroic experience as it was for Peter. His contribution would come later in the early Church, fighting heresies and various anti-Christs. He would tell of what he had seen with his own eyes, touched with his own hands and heard with his own ears; passing on the knowledge of the Word of God in the form of a man: Jesus Christ. This Gospel which we are reading is attributed to him, as is The Revelation of John, and various epistles of the New Testament bearing his name.
It is important to remember the lesson commented on in the message of day 18: God has a plan for all our lives, for some it may be full of material blessing and power like King David; for others, it may be a life of tough service and even martyrdom, as in the life of Peter; and for still others it may be a life of 'quiet' service, as in the life of John. No matter how God provides for us though: materially rich or poor, an easy life or a tough one, a long life or a short one; it is His will that we all are blessed spiritually.
For the Kingdom of God is not of this world: material possesions will come and go, loved ones will come and go, positions of power and respect will come and go, your earthly life has come but it will go... but your relationship with God is with you forever. It is indeed a blessing to know that no matter what God's plan for your life is, it involves your drawing nearer to Him.
Praise God for His provision and sustenance in your life, and pray especially that you may draw closer to Him, seeking to glorify Him in all that you do, and trusting Him in all aspects of your life.
Exodus 11-13 | Psalm 21 | John 21
Today's Psalm contains the words of David, king of Israel, praising God for always providing for him, and granting him every desire of his heart:
O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
You have granted him the desire of his heart
and have not withheld the request of his lips...(vv.1-2)
David goes on to attribute God's blessing to his own trust in the Lord: "For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken" (v.7). Does this mean that all Christians will receive similar blessing? Happily, we find the answer in today's reading of John.
Folowing Jesus' repeated commands to Peter to 'feed His sheep', Peter is 'reinstated' and Jesus tells him that, 'when he was younger, he dressed himself and went where he wanted; but when he is old he will stretch out his hands, and someone else will dress him and lead him where he does not want to go' (v.18). John then comments: "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God."
In the case of Peter, 'following Christ' meant a life of service to Christ; 'feeding His sheep', ensuring growth and love within the Church. It also meant that he would die in the service of Christ (as hinted at in v.18 & 13:36-37). Early tradition and a few sources proclaim that Peter was eventually crucified as well (though he only went happily to such a death upside down, as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ), however these sources are viewed as unreliable. Nevertheless, Peter died a martyr in the service of the Lord after having served Him continually.
Following these remarks of Jesus, we get a small insight into the future life of the disciple John ('the one whom Jesus loved'), with the mention of long life (though he did die). We learn from other books in the Bible and other sources that in the case of John, 'following Christ' would not be such a dramatic and obviously heroic experience as it was for Peter. His contribution would come later in the early Church, fighting heresies and various anti-Christs. He would tell of what he had seen with his own eyes, touched with his own hands and heard with his own ears; passing on the knowledge of the Word of God in the form of a man: Jesus Christ. This Gospel which we are reading is attributed to him, as is The Revelation of John, and various epistles of the New Testament bearing his name.
It is important to remember the lesson commented on in the message of day 18: God has a plan for all our lives, for some it may be full of material blessing and power like King David; for others, it may be a life of tough service and even martyrdom, as in the life of Peter; and for still others it may be a life of 'quiet' service, as in the life of John. No matter how God provides for us though: materially rich or poor, an easy life or a tough one, a long life or a short one; it is His will that we all are blessed spiritually.
For the Kingdom of God is not of this world: material possesions will come and go, loved ones will come and go, positions of power and respect will come and go, your earthly life has come but it will go... but your relationship with God is with you forever. It is indeed a blessing to know that no matter what God's plan for your life is, it involves your drawing nearer to Him.
Praise God for His provision and sustenance in your life, and pray especially that you may draw closer to Him, seeking to glorify Him in all that you do, and trusting Him in all aspects of your life.
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