December 5, 2010

2 Chronicles 5:1-6:11
We were in the depths of the Alabaster Caverns in northwest Oklahoma, and the guide turned out the lights. Darkness immediately enveloped us. Try as we might, we could not see. There was not even a glow of light. We were far enough into the cavern that if I had to get out on my own. I would probably have spent the rest of my life groping in the darkness wandering around in circles.
Solomon says, “The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud. I have surely built You an exalted house. . . “ Where did the LORD ever say that?” The closest thing that I could find was in Exodus 19:9 where He told Moses, “I am going to come to you in the form of a dark cloud, so that the people themselves can hear me when I talk with you, and then they will always believe you. Even a dark cloud is a revelation to us. He wraps Himself in darkness, so we do not see Him. We grope in the dark caverns of this world searching for Him. Speaking to the idolaters in Athens, Paul had this to say,
And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.—Acts 17:26-28

Why must He cloak Himself in darkness? Perhaps Exodus 33:20, when God spoke to Moses is an explanation: “But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’” I think to see Him fully would mean that we would in some way experience His attributes particularly His justice. With our sin problem, to experience His justice would kill us. Not experiencing Him in our sinful state is actually a blessing. The tabernacle and it accompanying furniture and rituals speaks of how the Lord will remove our sin from us in such a way that we shall live. It speaks of a way that He may dwell with us without destroying us. It speaks of His grace and revelation to us. He has rescued us from groping in the caverns of life. Because of what He has done, we can see His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john

1 John 4
Jesus is God made flesh. God is love. Would it follow then, that Jesus is love made flesh? It would appear so. After all, greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friend. This Jesus has done. He laid down His life for us. He loves us perfectly.
Is there anything in this life you are afraid of? I took some psuedophedrine extra strength not long ago when I had some ear/sinus congestion problems. Part of the side effects of the medication was an irrational fear, which was going on in my head. I thought I was going nuts. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not logical. God loves me and He will not allow anything to happen to me that He will not turn around for my good. That knowledge did not make the fear go away (the medication had to wear off), but it was the way I was able to slog though the time.
Are you afraid of God or what He allows to enter into your life? Then you really have not seen His glory. His glory proclaims His love for you. His love promises His presence in every situation. His love makes even the most gruesome experience liveable. We have to focus on His love, His glory, to overcome our fear. Perfect love casts out fear. He is perfect love. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor John