When Shimei throws stones

I watched a portion of the inauguration of the new mayor of New York City this week and was astonished by the rude tone of the speeches that heaped scorn on the previous mayor and his policies. Mike Bloomberg had to listen to a man tear down his leadership, which guided the city through 12 years, during which New York suffered through 9/11 and some terrible economic times. Given time,  the new mayor, now riding high on his electoral win, will find himself vilified.  That’s life. Triumph and tragedy, celebration and mourning, plenty and want; these are the experience of just about every person.  For the godly, however, there is promise of renewal, of the Spirit’s power to restore. "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked." (Proverbs 24:16, NLT)

King David went through many ups and downs.  Near the peak of his power, his son Absalom conspired to steal the hearts of the people of Israel and then to take the throne. Finally, he sprang his plot and David fled from Jerusalem.  As he went, many wept, but some gloated, glad to see the mighty king humiliated. One man in particular, took delight in cursing David. Shimei called David names and most colorfully, matched his verbal abuse with action. "So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt." (2 Samuel 16:13, NIV) Keep in mind that David had his royal guard with him and they could have simply killed the man, but he held them back, gracefully tolerating this man’s invective.  So, Shimei kicked the king while he was down.  Interestingly, a few days later, Absalom’s rebellion was crushed and Shimei was begging for mercy.  David’s nobility shown when he refused to avenge his honor and forgave the man.

Christian friend, there will be moments in your life when you’re down, when you have made a foolish decision, when your plans are frustrated by circumstances you cannot control, when your friend turns against you, when your health fails, or sorrow visits.  The greater tragedy will be a “Shimei” who decides that it is a good time to settle old resentments.  He will say terrible things and throw his dirt and stones.  What will you do?

Follow David’s example. Forgive him!  Our Savior did the same. As Roman soldiers nailed him to the cross and religious leaders mocked him as a failure, his prayer was not for revenge, but for mercy! “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34, NLT)  Many times He taught that forgiveness was the way of the godly.  There, He showed us how. 

Here’s the word from the Word.  May the Lord give us grace to live it. "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:25, NLT)

__________

Jesus, Hold My Hand

As I travel thru this pilgrim land

There is a Friend who walks with me.

Leads me safely thru the sinking sand,

It is the Christ of Calvary.

This would be my pray'r, dear Lord,

“Each day to help me do the best I can.”

For I need Thy light to guide me, day and night.

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand!

Jesus, hold my hand,

I need Thee ev'ry hour.

Thru this pilgrim land,

Protect me by Thy pow'r!

Hear my feeble plea,

O Lord, look down on me.

When I kneel in pray'r, I hope to meet You there.

Blessed Jesus, hold my hand!

Albert E. Brumley

© 1933 Hartford Music Company. Renewed 1961 Albert E. Brumley And Sons (Admin. by ClearBox Rights, LLC)

CCLI License # 810055

A truthful rescue

Ask any husband about the uncertainty that he instantly feels when his wife asks, “How does this outfit look on me?”  Hopefully, he thinks she looks great!  But, if she does not, should he tell her what he thinks?  Is it a loving thing to dodge the truth? Telling another the truth is one of the hardest things to do. “Speaking the truth, in love,” requires wisdom.

Christians are to be people committed to the Truth.  God commissions us to live ‘in truth.’ That means that we will, inevitably, come up against practices and values that are wrong. What then? Will we first conform ourselves to the truth and then courageously tell the truth to others?  It will not be easy and generally those who speak truthfully will not be thanked.  In our American culture at this time, tolerance is highly valued.  We learn early to avoid certain topics, to couch our convictions in non-offensive language. Failing to do so will have serious social consequence!

Christ’s disciples will always desire to be loving, to affirm others. They will also be compelled to speak truthfully to their world about ultimate accountability to a holy God. (This CWTW is not a defense of those who are rude or insensitive.)  When a Christian accepts the authority of the Scripture, carefully studies and understands what is revealed about God’s ways in it, he will find himself in conflict with his family, friends, and society.  Is it loving to remain silent?  Should he risk being dismissed, even by other Christians, as ‘dated,’ ‘out of touch,’ ‘insensitive,’ or ‘just another culture warrior?’ James, no stranger to conflict and ultimately martyred for his love for Jesus, tells us that telling the truth is a life and death issue! "My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins." (James 5:19-20, NLT)

Jesus humorously reminds us that to have any credibility we have to deal with our own sins first. "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7:2-5, NIV)  Note that He does not tell us to ignore the other person’s sin!  But, it is true that it is hard to take a lecture from a hypocrite!

Christian, we live in a society mired in greed, sensuality, lust, and injustice. Will we be people of truth?  Will we illustrate what it means to live with meaning, to set aside Self in order to serve the living God? Will we have the courage to lovingly speak the truth, being careful to separate personal conviction from the expressed will of God?  Our message is Good News!  We can offer life in Christ to others. Will we?

Here’s a word from the Word. Ponder it.

"Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?" (Proverbs 24:10-12, NIV)

Anticipation. What's ahead for me?

We are fascinated with the future.  We worry, we plan, we project. Some read their horoscope or use the occult to try to peer over time’s edge. I wonder what 2014 has in store for me and pray, quite honestly, it’s a better year than 2013!  

 There are two things that I believe which keep me on track.

First,  Jesus Christ secures the future. “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” (Heb 12:1-2). He initiated faith in me, stirring me by the Spirit to respond and He is invested in bringing me to the finish line.  My (and yours, too) best hope for this new year is founded on the One who is Lord of All!  Am I a fatalist? Not at all.  He allows me to choose. I can choose poorly or selfishly and I will experience the consequences.  However that same principle works for our good, too. If we turn our hearts to Him, if we trust and obey,  we are settled on a Rock solid foundation.

Jesus explains it like this. “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” (Matthew 7:24-27, The Message)

Second, History has a fixed end!  God will bring all things to an end and provide justice at the Second Coming of Christ Jesus. Will this happen in 2014 or 500 years from now? I have no idea!  I do have the assurance that He will bring His reign and end Evil’s horrible run.  That truth is sobering and comforting. I may not be treated fairly by some. I may misunderstand and be misunderstood, but we hold to the promise that there will come a moment when everything is revealed, set right, and the glorious Kingdom of peace will come.  We know that "God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." (Ephesians 1:9-11, NLT)

My Dad often said, “God’s payday is not Friday.”  The hope of the Kingdom to come, brought by faith to this present time, helps us to make the choices that honor Him.  Some choices are hard, many are costly, and some demand death to Self.  There are moments when we will face excruciatingly difficult decisions to invest in Heaven’s purposes, with no obvious benefit anywhere in sight!   Peter complained about cost of discipleship and Jesus answered him this way. “We left everything we owned and followed you, didn’t we?” “Yes,” said Jesus, “and you won’t regret it. No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever— will lose out. It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. And then the bonus of eternal life!” (Luke 18:28-30, The Message)  Pray for the faith to own that assurance in this new year. It is a key to following Him faithfully.

The blessing of the Father is the heritage of His beloved children.  As we step into a new year, let’s live like beloved children, not fearful; not distant, not reluctant to follow. Instead, let us take the promises to heart, loving Him and living in His care.  Here’s a familiar word from the Word. Make it yours today.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:7-11, NLT)

________________

Father, I thank you for forgiveness of my sin,

For freedom from guilt, and

For hope for this new year.

I pray for wisdom to see Your plan,

For courage to embrace it, and

Patience to realize the promise it holds.

You, Jesus Christ, are my hope, my joy, my peace.

In You, I am given ‘life to the full.’

Holy Spirit, may the gifts you give

Be used in my daily decisions so that

My life is profitable and honors my God.

Grow the fruit of your life in me,

Making it mature and beautiful  -

"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

May Your Kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in Heaven.
 

Amen

Look What I Did!

A trophy is "anything serving as evidence of a victory, valor, or skill."   A few years ago, at the Pinewood Derby sponsored by our church's boys group, I won one.  I built a small car to race down a long track.  At the end of the event, I took home the trophy for the 'slowest car.'  I kid you not!  In my files there is a copy, now more than two decades old, of a national magazine that printed my first published article.  It was so exciting to receive an advance copy where I saw, for the first time, a title and my name printed under it.   The paper of the magazine is starting to yellow and the excitement over being 'published' has long since faded.

John Ortberg writes about the fleeting nature of earthly success and the speed with which our trophies become insignificant.  "God has a wonderful sense of humor and often sends people to help to remember that 'being enough' is His department.  No trophies can confer that status.   A few years ago I spoke in a conference in Germany and afterward was asked to sign some books.   A woman handed me a German translation of one of my books and said in thickly accented English, 'Danka.  This is the best book I ever read.'    Germans aren't famous for their sense of humor, but I thought she might be pulling my leg.  'No kidding?' I asked her.   'Yah,' she said, by way of ruthless explanation, 'I don't read much.' "   - It All Goes Back in the Box, Zondervan, 2007

At the end of 2013, I hope you have a few trophies to mark success this year.  And, I pray that they are worth the effort you have invested in achieving them. Awards and recognition are wonderful.   We need to commend those who show skill, who achieve proficiency. Christians honor their Lord when they do what they do in the best way possible.

Jesus spoke of "laying up treasure in Heaven... where it never decays."   He wasn't just talking about giving a generous donation to the church.  He was talking about investing our time, our affection; all of our resources,  in those things that are of eternal value.   Do you work just to earn a paycheck or to make life better for others for God's glory?  Are you prioritizing the choices to love, to forgive, to serve?   These efforts will bring trophies that last when gold, silver, and applause have faded away. The commendation of God never loses value.  The Word says, "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing." (1 Corinthians 9:24-26, NLT) "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4, NIV)

What trophies are you reaching for?  
What serves as evidence of victory for you?
More money?  Status in your community?  Your kids' achievements?  Grades, degrees, certificates?   Sexual conquest? 

Here's a word from the Word.  Embrace the promise!   "Be diligent and turn from your indifference.  Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.  Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne." (Revelation 3:19-21, NLT)

Celebrate your successes! Give thanks to God for the victories won.  We learn the importance of building memorials from the Bible, where we read repeatedly about the ways and places that God’s people created monuments to remind them of His faithfulness! Equally important, let go of your failures and disappointments!  Need forgiveness? Ask God, He forgives those who are ruthlessly honest with themselves and before Him.  But, remember this as you look into a new year – God gives us today!

Here’s the word from the Word. Own it. Pray it. Live it.
"You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.
You light a lamp for me.
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights." (Psalm 18:27-33, NLT)

____________

Oh Lord, our Lord,

How majestic is Your name!

Your words are true,

Your mercy does not change.

All Your promises are precious,

Reviving our faith,

Ev'ry one of them

Will be fulfilled one day.

All Your promises

Are yes and amen, Jesus;

Your promises are true.

All Your promises,

Are yes and amen, Lord Jesus,

We'll keep running after You.

We will run,

We'll run and not grow weary.

We will rise upon the eagle's wings.

In the presence of the Lord

Our spirits will soar,

‘Till we one day gaze upon our King.

All Your Promises

Andrew Smith

© 1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)

Vineyard Songs Canada (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)

CCLI License # 810055