December 1, 2010

1 Chronicles 29

Most Americans abide by the golden rule which states, “He who has the gold rules.” The Israelites rejoiced at the opportunity to give their gold away for the building of the Temple of the Lord. With a loyal heart they offered their gold willingly. As we saw yesterday, that is the kind of a heart that the Lord is looking for in us. If he asked us, would we willingly with a loyal heart give all that He asks of us? He does ask for it all. He does not ask for just 10% of our money. He does not ask for just our money. He asks for all of our time, talents, family, everything. We are merely stewards. If we have loyal and willing hearts, we rejoice when He says, “Give this, or do this, or go there.” We rejoice because it gives us opportunity to be part of bringing greater glory to Him. Am I willing to give Him the gold, or time, or whatever because He rules? When I obey, is it an object of rejoicing because He rules?

They were able to rejoice because they knew it all belonged to Him anyway. Look at what David says:

14 But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope.

It is pretty clear. We don’t own anything. He owns it all. When I lived in North Carolina, our congregation regularly had joint services with some of the black congregations in town. At least one of the congregations had a tradition that after the offering was received, the ushers brought it back to the front, lifted it up and everyone broke into a song with these words, “All things come from Thee.” If that is truly sung from the heart, I really like it. It is a great reminder of who I am, and who God is, and to whom all this stuff around me belongs.

But what is this line, “For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope?” Without hope? How can one rejoice and say that at the same time? Well if we truly understand that all this stuff around us is just temporary, and it really is not ours, then it to recognize that it brings us no hope is cause for rejoicing for then we can let go of the stuff and place our hope where it gives eternal reward. That is why the Israelites rejoiced when they gave their gold. They knew that they were exchanging their hope from gold that perishes to a hope that does not perish. They were moving their hope off of gold onto the One who is from eternity. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

2 Peter 3

"Gentle Jesus meek and mild," so goes a child's prayer, which I never learned fully. It is true Jesus is gentle. Gentleness is strength under control. He certainly is that. He is meek. Meekness is patient and submissive. Jesus is certainly patient, and He was completely submissive to the Father's will. He is mild. Mildness is being gentle and kind in disposition, action or effect; not severe, harsh, etc. Most of the time, Jesus exhibited mildness. But the total effect of the saying leaves a somewhat uncomfortable feeling with me in describing Jesus. In the appropriate situation, He is those things. But that does not describe Him all of the time. It's kind of like in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, someone asks if Aslan is safe. The response is something to the effect of, "He is not safe! But He is good!"

The unbridled, unveiled glory of Jesus would rip us apart. One day, the Day of the Lord, the Lord's glory will be unveiled. When that happens the heavens will pass away with at great noise, the elements will melt and the earth will be burnt up. Out of that violent ripping, He will create new heavens and a new earth. In that newness righteousness will dwell. Right now, anyone with half a brain can see that righteousness does not dwell here. Somehow, when I think of the destruction that we bring upon each other on this earth, I just cannot imagine that unrighteousness being effectively and ultimately dealt with by someone who is gentle, meek and mild. How can unrepentant evil be dealt with gently? It just cannot! We will see a new aspect of His glory, the just, wrathful and awe-full re-creation of His universe. Evil will be once and for all dealt with. In the mean time, He is gentle, meek and mild. He is patient waiting for all to come to repentance, not desiring that any should perish. But one day His patience will come to an end. Those of us who are found in His peace, with out spot and blemish (those who have experienced the power of the cross and resurrection) will see His glory unbridled and unveiled. And we shall actually survive it by His grace and glory!

One last thing from this passage--it says we can look for and hasten that coming day. How? We can hasten it by speaking the glory of Christ to one another and sharing the good news with those who have not heard. Remember Jesus said, "This Gospel shall be preached as a witness to all nations. Then the end shall come." He is waiting on His church, His bride, to finish the job. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John