Author: drthomasclothier

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LORD’S DAY 40, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 40 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. This morning’s devotional addresses The Ten Commandments.

Q. What is God’s will for you in the sixth commandment?

A. I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor—not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds—and I am not to be party to this in others;1 rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge.2 I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either.3 Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.4

1 Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17-18; Matt. 5:21-22; 26:52.
2 Prov. 25:21-22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26.
3 Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14.
4 Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4.

Q. Does this commandment refer only to murder?

A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that he hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness.1 In God’s sight all such are disguised forms of murder.2

1 Prov. 14:30; Rom. 1:29; 12:19; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 John 2:9-11.
2 1 John 3:15

Q. Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way?

A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves,1 to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them,2 to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.3

1 Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10.
2 Matt. 5:3-12; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1-2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 3:8.
3 Ex. 23:4-5; Matt. 5:44-45; Rom. 12:20-21 (Prov. 25:21-22).

May God’s truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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Advent: Why did Jesus come to Earth? Part 5.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5)

Thus far, we have seen four reasons from Galatians 1:3-5 as to why Jesus Christ came to earth in His incarnation. Let’s look at one more.   

First, Jesus Christ came to earth as the incarnation of God the Father’s grace and peace. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father…” (Galatians 1:3a). Grace (χάρις; charis) is defined as “unmerited favor.” It is the bestowing of pleasure, delight, or favorable regard from one to another. It is God’s loving-kindness to sinners who deserve judgment. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is the resulting harmony, on the basis of grace, between God and sinful man. Peace is accomplished through the gospel and is also the rest and contentment consequentially as the result of God’s grace.

Second, Jesus Christ came to earth as to be the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, on behalf of sinners. The text reads, “Who gave Himself for our sins” – 1:4a. The text refers to an active and personal total surrender by Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners who continually are missing the mark of acquiring the holiness and righteousness of God.

Third, Jesus Christ came to earth to deliver believing sinners from this present, evil age. “To deliver us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4b).

Fourth, Jesus Christ came to earth to accomplish the will of God the Father. Galatians 1:4 says, “4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”

 Fifth, Jesus Christ came to earth to glorify God the Father. “5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:5)

Glory (δόξα; doxa) means to praise, honor and glorify. This is done because of the greatness of the individual. In this instance, it is God who is to be glorified.

This glory to God is eternal. It is an unlimited duration of time.

The word “Amen” is an exclamation that indeed this is not only what Jesus Christ accomplished, but it is also to be the believer’s perspective in all we do.

In Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer from John 17, mediate upon what Jesus initially prays to God the Father. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

 To God be the glory for the things He has accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Advent: Why did Jesus come to Earth? Part 4.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5) 

We are in the beginning stages of examining the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In studying various passages of Scripture, our goal is to have a comprehensive understanding of this historical and world changing event. Why in fact did Jesus come to earth?  Let’s examine what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches in order to find the answer to this question.

First, Jesus Christ came to earth as the incarnation of God the Father’s grace and peace. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father…” (Galatians 1:3a). Grace (χάρις; charis) is defined as “unmerited favor.” It is the bestowing of pleasure, delight, or favorable regard from one to another. It is God’s loving-kindness to sinners who deserve judgment. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is the resulting harmony, on the basis of grace, between God and sinful man. Peace is accomplished through the gospel and is also the rest and contentment consequentially as the result of God’s grace.

Second, Jesus Christ came to earth as to be the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, on behalf of sinners. The text reads, “Who gave Himself for our sins” – 1:4a. The text refers to an active and personal total surrender by Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners who continually are missing the mark of acquiring the holiness and righteousness of God.

Third, Jesus Christ came to earth to deliver believing sinners from this present, evil age. “To deliver us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4b).

Fourth, Jesus Christ came to earth to accomplish the will of God the Father. Galatians 1:4 says, “4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”

The phrase “according to” means to move toward a conclusion in light of a prior agreement. The agreement Jesus Christ possessed with God the Father was to His will, purpose and intent. Please notice that the noun God refers to the Lord’s transcendent majesty while the noun Father refers to the Lord’s intimacy with His creation and creatures.

What would the will of God entail for Jesus Christ? What would Jesus do in order to fulfill the Father’s will?

First, Jesus would the perfect and obedient substitute for sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 52:13- 53:1-12). Second, Jesus would provide justification and redemption on behalf of sinners (Romans 3:21-24; Galatians 2:16). Third, Jesus would provide the believing sinner’s righteousness (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-8; Philippians 3:4-9). Fourth, Jesus would fulfill the Father’s will by reconciling sinners to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Colossians 1:20-22). Finally, Jesus would be the only source of eternal life (John 3:16; John 3:36; John 17:1-3; John 20:30-31; I John 5:20-21).

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The sacrifice of Christ for salvation was the will of God designed and fulfilled for his glory. Cf. Matt. 26:42; John 6:38–40; Acts 2:22–23; Rom. 8:3, 31–32; Eph. 1:7, 11; Heb. 10:4–10.”

 Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? He alone provides what is necessary for the sinner to be in a right relationship with God.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

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Advent: Why did Jesus come to Earth? Part 3.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5) 

Why in fact did Jesus come to earth?  Let’s examine what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches in order to find the answer to this question.

First, Jesus Christ came to earth as the incarnation of God the Father’s grace and peace. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father…” (Galatians 1:3a). Grace (χάρις; charis) is defined as “unmerited favor.” It is the bestowing of pleasure, delight, or favorable regard from one to another. It is God’s loving-kindness to sinners who deserve judgment. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is the resulting harmony, on the basis of grace, between God and sinful man. Peace is accomplished through the gospel and is also the rest and contentment consequentially as the result of God’s grace.

Second, Jesus Christ came to earth as to be the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, on behalf of sinners. The text reads, “Who gave Himself for our sins” – 1:4a. The text refers to an active and personal total surrender by Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners who continually are missing the mark of acquiring the holiness and righteousness of God.

Third, Jesus Christ came to earth to deliver believing sinners from this present, evil age. “To deliver us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4b). Let us examine this text in detail.

The phrase “to deliver us” is a purpose clause. It means to set free those who are in great danger from which they are unable to extricate themselves. Those who are rescued originally were by nature enemies of God and this rescue is accomplished by the death of the rescuer. This rescue is progressive in character and will not be completed until the sinner is taken home to be with the Lord in heaven. This deliverance from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and eventually the very presence of sin is being accomplished whenever a sinner is brought out of the darkness of sin into the light of salvation and whenever a saint gains a victory in their struggle against sin.

The phrase “from the present evil age” refers to the anti-God non-religious world system which is rebellious against God. It is a transient world which is hastening to its close and in which, in spite of all its pleasures and treasures, there is nothing of abiding value. Dr. John MacArthur explains that, “The Greek word for “age” does not refer to a period of time but an order or system, and in particular to the current world system ruled by Satan (See Rom. 12:2; 1 John 2:15–16; 5:19).” 

 This world is a world qualified by sin; the devil is its god (2 Corinthians 4:4; I Corinthians 2:6; Ephesians 2:2). Hence, because of sin, it will go to its doom. As one pastor explains, “This deliverance is a loosing of the saints from the sinful ties of this world, and of a liberation from the divine curse and wrath which rests on this world, so that for believers their share in the suffering and death of this world gets to have a different meaning.”

Have you, and are you, being rescued from this present evil age? You either belong to the world or you belong to Christ. There is no middle ground. You are either in Christ or you are not. Examine your soul today and ask God to reveal to you what is the status of your eternal soul.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Advent: Why did Jesus come to Earth? Part 2.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5) 

Why in fact did Jesus come to earth?  Let’s examine what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches in order to find the answer to this question.

First, Jesus Christ came to earth as the incarnation of God the Father’s grace and peace. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father…” (Galatians 1:3a). Grace (χάρις; charis) is defined as “unmerited favor.” It is the bestowing of pleasure, delight, or favorable regard from one to another. It is God’s loving-kindness to sinners who deserve judgment. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is the resulting harmony, on the basis of grace, between God and sinful man. Peace is accomplished through the gospel and is also the rest and contentment consequentially as the result of God’s grace.

Second, Jesus Christ came to earth as to be the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, on behalf of sinners. The text reads, “Who gave Himself for our sins” – 1:4a. The text refers to an active and personal total surrender by Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners who continually are missing the mark of acquiring the holiness and righteousness of God.

In being our propitiation or atoning sacrifice, Jesus absorbed the wrath of God (Romans 1:18). Having done so, the Father’s wrath is satisfied and He is willing and able to declared sinners righteous on the basis of Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection. Take note of the following biblical texts as they pertain to Christ’s propitiation.

Romans 3:25a – “…whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.”

Galatians 3:13 – “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Hebrews 2:14-18 – 14 “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

 I John 2:1-2 – “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

 I John 4:7-10 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Faith is the vehicle through and by which Christ’s atoning work on the cross is applied on the sinner’s behalf. Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice does not go into effect automatically. It is applied by God to the sinner’s stead through the instrument of God given, saving faith. When this occurs, God cancels the legal demands of the Law against sinners (Colossians 2:13-14; 3:10-14).

Dr. John MacArthur writes, ‘No one can avoid sin by human effort or law-keeping (Rom. 3:20); therefore it must be forgiven, which Christ accomplished through his atoning death on the cross (Gal. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:19–21; 1 Pet. 2:24).”

Have your sins been forgiven? The only way guilt for sin may be removed from your life is through faith in Jesus Christ. He received the punishment from God the Father that we deserved. Receive Him and His righteousness today.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Advent: Why did Jesus come to Earth?

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5) 

Why in fact did Jesus come to earth?  Let’s examine what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatian churches in order to find the answer to this question.

To begin with, the Epistle to the Galatians was not written to one church, but rather to several churches in what is now present day Turkey. Paul wrote this epistle to the churches he established during his First Missionary Journey. He did so in order to oppose false teachers (Judaizers) who were undermining the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. In other words, these false teachers were undermining the gospel, and therefore they were undermining Jesus Christ and the purpose for His coming to earth.

Therefore, Paul immediately addressed the person of Christ in his introductory greeting. He briefly explored the rich themes of why Jesus Christ came. This at once thrusts the purpose of the letter to the fore: the issue between the Galatians and Paul was the significance of Christ.

First, Jesus Christ came to earth as the incarnation of God the Father’s grace and peace. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father…” (Galatians 1:3a). Grace (χάρις; charis) is defined as “unmerited favor.” It is the bestowing of pleasure, delight, or favorable regard from one to another. It is God’s loving-kindness to sinners who deserve judgment. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is the resulting harmony, on the basis of grace, between God and sinful man. Peace is accomplished through the gospel and is also the rest and contentment consequentially as the result of God’s grace.

Notice that whenever grace and peace are mentioned by the apostle in his New Testament epistles, the word grace always precedes the word peace. That is because peace is always the result of grace. We have peace with God (Romans 5:1) because of the grace of God. We never make our own peace with God. Rather, He makes peace with sinners solely on the basis of His grace.

Romans 5:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

 Romans 5:6-8 says, “6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 Ephesians 1:3-9 says, “3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “Paul’s typical greeting attacked the Judaizers’ legalistic system. If salvation is by works as they claimed, it is not of “grace” and cannot result in “peace,” since no one can be sure he has enough good works to be eternally secure.”

Are you secure in the amazing grace of God who sought to save your soul by sending His Son to this fallen world to die in your place on the cross? Salvation by grace, and its resulting peace, is not a mere possibility when a sinner is in Christ, but rather it is a certainty.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

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Advent: It’s the Most Wonderful Doctrine of all Time.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4)

Don’t you just love Christmas? Say what! You may be thinking that just like retailers who begin promoting the Christmas season in October, I may be rushing things just a bit. I mean, we still have Thanksgiving to observe. However, there are several reasons that I am beginning a series concerning the church season known as Advent.

First, anyone who truly knows me knows that I annually begin listening to Christmas music in July. You’ve heard of Christmas in July haven’t you? I have tailored several of my Internet music stations to feature either Classical or Jazz arrangements of familiar carols and contemporary Christmas favorites. I revel in the familiar sounds along with new and exciting arrangements.

Second, my church’s worship director begins preparing practices for the annual Christmas presentation by the adult choir in late August. Works for me. Therefore, I have also been listening to this year’s cantata.

Third, even though the Advent season is normally the four Sunday’s immediately prior to Christmas, I have discovered that there is so much revelation from God’s Word concerning the incarnation of Jesus Christ that it becomes impossible to properly treat all it with the attention it deserves.

I sensed the Lord leading me to examine the Incarnation, or the birth, of Christ in greater detail than could be accomplished in four Sundays, or four blogs. I sensed He wanted me to lead us in revisiting familiar characters, scenes, and situations of which we have grown, if not a least overly familiar, than perhaps a little too casual.

There are so many Old Testament prophecies, biblical characters, symbols and types. There also are the circumstances which occurred immediately prior, and at, Christ’s birth that often are misunderstood.

What exactly does Advent mean? Advent, from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”, is the Christian ecclesiastical calendar season observed in preparation for Christmas. The earliest authentic record of Advent (ad 581) states that the season starts on the feast of St. Martin, November 11; this period is still observed in the Orthodox Church. About AD 600, Pope Gregory I decreed that the season should start on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, but the longer period was observed in England for some years. The shorter period is now observed in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Episcopal churches. The first Sunday of Advent is regarded as the commencement of the Christian ecclesiastical year. The season is also a preparation for the second coming of Christ at the end of the world.

I suspect for some of you this will be a journey into familiar portions of Scripture which you have known and loved for years. For others of you, it may prove to be the first time you have ever studied God’s incarnation in great detail. For still others, our study will dispel various myths and inaccuracies which often occur in our understanding and perceptions of the Birth of Christ.

For example, how many Magi actually visited the Christ child? Did their visit occur at the manger scene or somewhere else? How may they be connected to the Prophet Daniel?

This excursion is not simply for an intellectual understanding of the facts, but also to savor God’s revelation of Himself to us and this revelation to save us.

As one pastor has written, “Everyone can read the stories of Jesus and ‘see’ the portraits painted by the words of those who knew Him. But not everyone sees truth and beauty and infinite value. Some see only myth. Some see foolishness. Some see offense. ‘Seeing they do not see.’ It is though a child could look at a Michelangelo and prefer a comic strip.”

“Savoring Jesus Christ is the response to this second kind of seeing. When you see something as true and beautiful and valuable, you savor it. That is, you treasure it. You cherish and admire and prize it. Spiritual seeing and spiritual savoring are so closely connected that it would be fair to say that if you don’t savor Christ, you haven’t seen Christ for who he is. If you don’t prize him above all things, you haven’t apprehended His true worth.”

So let us begin. Let us begin to savor the Savior Jesus Christ.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LORD’S DAY 39, 2019.

On each Lord’s Day this year, we will display the 52 devotionals taken from the Heidelberg Catechism which are structured in the form of questions posed and answers given.

The Heidelberg Catechism was originally written in 1563. It originated in one of the few pockets of Calvinistic faith in the Lutheran and Catholic territories of Germany. Conceived originally as a teaching instrument to promote religious unity, the catechism soon became a guide for preaching as well.

Along with the Belgic Confession and the Canons of Dordt, it forms what is collectively referred to as the Three Forms of Unity.

The devotional for LORD’S DAY 39 is as follows. Please take note of the biblical references given in each answer. This morning’s devotional addresses The Ten Commandments.

Q. What is God’s will for you in the fifth commandment?

A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I submit myself with proper obedience to all their good teaching and discipline;1 and also that I be patient with their failings—2 for through them God chooses to rule us.3

1 Ex. 21:17; Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Rom. 13:1-2; Eph. 5:21-22; 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-4:1.
2 Prov. 20:20; 23:22; 1 Pet. 2:18.
3 Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1-8; Eph. 6:1-9; Col. 3:18-21.

May God’s truth and grace reside here.

Soli deo  Gloria!

 

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Miscellaneous Thoughts: Anxiety.

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

Remember the popular song by artist Bobby McFerrin from his album Simple Pleasures entitled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Released in 1988, it won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. The Bible many times communicates a similar message to believers which could be summarized this way: “Don’t Worry, Trust God.”

What causes individuals, even Christians, to worry or be anxious? The word anxious, from today’s text, comes from the Greek word μεριμνήσητε (merimnesete) meaning to worry or to be in care about something or someone. It also means to have an apprehension about possible danger or misfortune.

Possible reasons for anxiety or worry could be a new job, the loss of one’s current job, a broken relationship, finances, and the condition of one’s community, county or country. In fact, people can, and do, worry about anything and everything.

Why do people worry? Why do you? Why do I? Some respond by saying “It’s just the way I am” or “It’s just the way God made me” in order to justify this paralyzing behavior. Let’s understand that worry can disable a person so much that they cannot sleep, work, or even engage in basic day to day activities. Some may be so crippled by worry that they sit on their couch, or bed, during the middle of the day and just stare off into space.

Jesus spent a significance amount of time during His so-called Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) addressing the behavior of worry. He spoke about the concern for the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and shelter. He compared how God takes care of the little flowers and birds. The analogy being that as God provides for these, He will additionally provide for His people.

One commentator explains that, “Most people in antiquity had little beyond basic necessities—food, clothing and shelter. Because their acquisition of these necessities often depended—especially in rural areas—on seasonal rains or (in Egypt) the flooding of the Nile, they had plenty of cause for stress even about food and clothing. The pagan world did indeed seek after such necessities, but Jesus reminds his hearers that they could trust their Father (v. 32) and should seek the kingdom (v. 33).”

The solution to worry is not about just being happy, but rather trusting God by seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. In other words, Jesus stressed to His disciples that submitting to God’s authority and receiving, and emulating, His righteousness should be our first priority. God will ultimately take care of the rest.

The Apostle Paul wrote a similar command in Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The word for anxious in Philippians 4:6 is the same word which we find in Matthew 6:31. In other words, Scripture interprets Scripture.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” The psalmist is saying that instead of panicking when things go wrong, we are to trust in the sovereignty and providence of God.

I recently read Matthew 6:25-33 during a worship service. The Scripture reading was followed by our worship team leading the congregation in the classic hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow. I leave you with these familiar lyrics today.

Why should I feel discouraged?
And why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heavenly home?

When Jesus is my portion?
And my constant friend is He
His eye is on the little sparrow
And I know he cares for me
His eye is on the little sparrow
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I’m free
For His eye, is on the sparrow
And I know He’s watching me.

 Thank you Lord for your watchful eye.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

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Biblical Heroes. Moses.

“Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.” (Exodus 3:1)

I’m sure we are all familiar with the story of Moses and the Exodus by Israel from their bondage in Egypt under the providential guidance of the LORD. The story is the stuff of legends and a host of Hollywood movies and Broadway like productions at Christian theaters like Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA.

Moses was a man of privilege who for his forty years of life grew up in the royal court of Egypt and was known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:8-10; Acts 7:23). The final forty years of his 120 years was spent leading the Nation of Israel through the Arabian wilderness to the brink of entering the land the LORD promised to Abraham (Acts 7:30-50; Hebrews 11:23-29).

But what about the forty years Moses spent in the wilderness of Midian. The biblical text doesn’t tell much about those years aside from recording that he was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, a priest of Midian, that he married Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter, and became a father of a son named Gershom (Exodus 2:21-22).

When today’s text says that Moses was keeping the flock, it means that he was driving the flock out to pasture in order to graze. In other words, Moses became a shepherd. His focus was one of providing grazing pasture for the flock and moving the flocks around to the grazing grounds (Genesis 30:29-31). It should be noted that a shepherd not only cares and tends for the sheep, but also has authority or rules a flock as a superior.

Dr. John MacArthur comments that, “Moses worked as a shepherd while living with his father-in-law, a life and occupation quite different from the privilege and prestige associated with his life in Pharaoh’s court.”

I wonder what Moses must have thought during those 40 silent years. I wonder if he thought about what he had been and what he had become. I wonder if he thought about God’s plans for his life and if this was all there was in the mind of God for this divinely protected Hebrew son. Did Moses become bitter or angry at times at his relative obscurity, or did he find happiness with his wife and son. I wonder how long it took for him to become a proficient shepherd.

There are often times in our lives when God leads us, like a shepherd, into pastures in which we never thought we would graze. David referred to one such pasture as the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). However, it is even in those times of darkness that we need not fear for our Good Shepherd is with us and His rod and staff will comfort us.

How fitting is it that as Moses learned to be shepherd of sheep, God would soon use him to be a shepherd of a nation. In many ways, the Israelites Moses would lead from bondage into freedom tended to be very much like the lambs from Jethro’s flock. They were unruly, complaining, disobedient and often rebellious. What a training ground God provided Moses during the middle forty years of his life to prepare him for the final forty.

Training in the courts of Pharaoh and in the wilderness of Midian as a shepherd prepared Moses for the ultimate task God had prepared for him. Such may be the case with the Lord’s work in your own life. You never know, but He certainly does.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!