Tag: faith

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Prophecy XI

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  (Luke 2:33-35, NASB)

The text is a portion of Dr. Luke’s account of Simeon’s encounter with the Holy Family just days after Jesus’ arrival on the earth He created.  The second chapter of Luke documents that after eight days (the Law of Moses required eight days for the mother’s purification), Joseph and Mary took their Baby to the Temple to present Jesus to the priests for circumcision and dedication, and to offer a sacrifice.  (vv. 21-24)  
They met Simeon, “righteous and devout,” who was “looking for the consolation of Israel.”  Luke says that the Holy Spirit told Simeon he wouldn’t die before he would meet the Messiah.  (vv. 25-26)  The Holy Spirit told Simeon just Who this Baby was.  Simeon took Him in his arms, and thanked the Lord in what is known as “The Song of Simeon.”  (vv. 27-32)  That’s where we pick up the text above. 

In a story normally told during Advent, Simeon’s prophecy is important for Lent, as he foretold the anguish Mary would experience in the future.  But first, Simeon predicts that Jesus “is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel.”  Jesus Himself would say that He came to save sinners, not the self-righteous, which was a criticism at the Pharisees.  He says that Jesus would be opposed, such that “thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  Jesus was opposed by the Temple elites, who ironically claimed to be looking for the Messiah–just not this One.  Especially during the critical last week of Jesus’ life on His earth, we see revealed the thoughts from many hearts. 

Screen Shot 2017-02-02 at 2.46.18 PMThe Sword that Pierced Mary’s Soul.  Found at https://taylormarshall.com/2017/02/sword-pierced-marys-soul.html

Simeon tells Mary that “a sword will pierce even your own soul.”  I’m sure Mary didn’t understand.  She had just given birth to the Savior of the world, HER Savior, HER Lord.  What could possibly go wrong?  Yet “the sword” would be seeing her son after being tortured beyond recognition; watching as He tried to haul the cross to His place of execution; watching as they nailed her boy’s hands and feet to the wooden cross; and finally, watching as He hung dying, while the people and the priests mocked and insulted Him. 

The prophecy of the “sword” which would pierce Mary’s heart is part of the Christmas story, and an integral part of the story of Resurrection Sunday.  The encounter with Simeon at the Temple left Joseph and Mary “amazed at the things which were being said about Him.”  It had been quite a week.  Simeon’s prophecy must have left Mary wondering . . . 

Worship:  “Mary Did You Know?” by Mark Lowry
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Brothers

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.  It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever. (Psalm 133, NASB)

Psalm 133 is attributed to King David.  The title is “The Excellency of Brotherly Unity.”  It’s a Song of Ascents, which means it’s a song pilgrims would sing as they went up to the Temple Mount to worship.  The theme of this psalm is unity among the faithful, and has implications for Jesus’ Church today. 

King David says that it’s good and pleasant “for brothers to dwell together in unity!”  How good is it?  He compares it to the feeling of anointing oil being poured over one’s head; and to the dew on Mt. Hermon rolling down on the other mountains of Israel. 

Oil was used to anoint people and things, to consecrate, or set them apart for service to the LORD.  The oil was composed of a specific recipe that God gave Moses as part of His detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle.  Moses poured the oil over his brother Aaron’s head to consecrate him for service as the first High Priest.  According to Free Messianic Bible, “Anointing oil represents the Ruach of God, His Spirit, which was poured over Aaron the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) and other priests to set them apart as holy and fit for His Temple service.

“When we worship the Lord together in action by loving each other, we are clothed with His Ruach (Spirit) in unity.”

Moses anoints Aaron as High Priest by pouring specially prepared oil over his head.  Found at Free Messianic Bible, https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/hinei-mah-tov-behold-how-good-and-pleasant-it-is-for-brethren-to-dwell-together-in-unity/

Free Messianic Bible also explains “the dew of Hermon”:  “Most of Israel receives virtually no rain from May through September, yet during these months the coastal lands are blessed with life-giving moisture as the night breezes carry mist from the Mediterranean Sea, spreading it over the parched ground, nourishing and reviving plants and foliage.
“The mountains of the snow-covered Mount Hermon at the most northern point of Israel are also known for spreading abundant mist throughout the night to the hills below and the land beyond.”

According to King David, it was in Zion that “the LORD commanded the blessing–live forever.”  God provided Messiah, Jesus Christ His Son, King David’s descendant, so that if we believe in Him, we will “live forever.”  As for brothers dwelling “together in unity,” we’re commanded to love one another.  Paul wrote that this is one way for people to know we belong to Jesus, that brothers and sisters in Christ love one another. 

The Grim Reapers of ’76 show off our class rings in the spring of 1975.  I’m standing, third from the left. 

Speaking of brothers, I’d like to pay tribute to my brothers from the Air Force Academy.  Specifically, Cadet Squadron 31, the Grim Reapers, Class of 1976.  God put us all together in the fall of 1973.  Twenty two of us started our sophomore year together, and we all graduated on 2 June 1976.  While we didn’t always “dwell together in unity,” for the most part we got along pretty well.  I think when we graduated, we parted as friends.  Most of us keep in touch to this day.  These guys had a profound impact on my life.  I can’t begin to say how much I learned from them.  Of all the fighter squadrons and organizations of which I’ve been a part, I’m most proud to be a ’76 Grim Reaper!  I love them all. 

Worship:  “Hinei Ma Tov (Behold How Good),” by Paul Wilbur

Source:  “Hinei Mah Tov – Behold! How Good and Pleasant It Is for Brethren to Dwell Together in Unity.”  Free Messianic Bible, https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/hinei-mah-tov-behold-how-good-and-pleasant-it-is-for-brethren-to-dwell-together-in-unity/

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Kyiv

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  (Romans 12:18, NASB)

The Bible tells us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”  (Psalm 122:6)  Indeed we should.  This is God’s Town.  This is the site where God chose for King Solomon to build His Temple, His dwelling place among His people, Israel.  We’re also called to seek justice and peace wherever and however we can. 

At Sophia Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday.Image from Kyiv.  Victor, Daniel.  “How do You Pronounce ‘Kyiv’?”  From The New York Times, 25 January 2022.  Found at https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/world/europe/kyiv-pronunciation.html

As I write, Russia is poised to invade Ukraine.  Please join me in praying for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.  Let’s pray for the peace of Kyiv. 


“The Great Gate of Kiev,” from “Pictures at an Exhibition,” by Modest  Mussorgsky.  Performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. 

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V-Day

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  (Ephesians 5:25-31, NASB)

Today is Valentines Day.  I’m told it’s all about love.  Paul has a lot to say about love in his letter to the church at Ephesus.  Specifically, he writes about how we should conduct ourselves in marriage. 

He tells us husbands that we should love our wives.  How much?  There are actually two comparisons to the answer:  First, we’re to love our wives “just as Christ also loved the church.”  And second, “as their own bodies.”

The first idea is that we should love our wives “just as Christ also loved the church.”  And how much does Christ love the church?  Paul answers that when he says that Christ “gave Himself up for her.”  Jesus submitted Himself to horrific torture and crucifixion for His church, and for you and me.  This is the kind of sacrifice we should be willing to make for our wives.  Further, Jesus sanctified the church, and cleansed her, so “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  As far as the parallel with marriage, I think this means we’re to treat our wives with the utmost love, and  that they’re the most important blessing in our earthly life. 

“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies.”  Paul explains that the husband who loves his wife also loves himself; that no one ever hated his own body, but takes care of it; and that Christ also takes the same care of the church, because we’re all “members of His body.”  “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Ephesians 5:25 image.  Found at Disciple CMC Blog, http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/husbands-love-your-wives.html

Fellow husbands, how do we apply all this?  Paul says we’re to do the impossible.  No mortal is capable of loving his wife “just as Christ also loved the church.”  His is a perfect love:  “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)  Although impossible to emulate, this is the ideal for which we’re to strive. 

My pastor, Grant Etheridge, and his wife Tammy, put on a marriage seminar a few years ago.  It was on Wednesday nights and lasted several weeks.  Liberty Baptist Church was filled to the rafters each night for the duration.  There are two takeaways I remember especially from Pastor Grant:  The first is that your spouse should be your best friend.  The second, marriage is not a competition–but we should try and serve the other as best we can. 

Best friend:  Of course, this makes perfect sense.  Why else would you marry the other person?  This reminds me of how I should treat my wife.  “Is this how I should treat my best friend?”  Or, “I can’t believe I just did that to my best friend (followed by an apology!)!”

Service:  I’ll just give an example:  Sue loves to wake up with a cup of coffee.  I love Sue.  Therefore, I used to make coffee and bring it to her (I don’t drink coffee) until I could no longer climb the stairs. 

So husbands are to love their wives.  The ideal is to copy the way Christ loves His church.  I think St. Valentines Day and wedding anniversaries are good times to reflect on that.  So Sue, Happy Valentines Day.  God willing, for next Valentines Day, I will be here. 

“I Will Be Here,” by Steven Curtis Chapman

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Dilemma

. . . according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.  (Philippians 1:20-24, NASB)

The Apostle Paul writes of a dilemma:  He doesn’t know whether it’s better to be alive, or to die.  For those of us who are terminal, it’s an interesting question to ponder. 

Paul, in another excerpt from his letter to the Philippian church, begins by stating that no matter what happens, he doesn’t want to be put to shame, but rather that Jesus would be glorified by everything he does.  This includes whether he lives or dies. 

Paul goes on and writes of his predicament:  ” . . . to live is Christ, to die is gain.”  Ponder this:  If Paul continues on in this world, he has Jesus.  But if he dies, his “gain” is that he has Jesus for eternity.  He says he doesn’t “know which to choose.”  

Philippians 1:21 image.  Found at heartlight, https://www.heartlight.org/gallery/7483.html 

Alive, he speaks of “fruitful labor.”  God commissioned him to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, and that’s what he’s been doing, and will continue to do.  He stresses at the end of the passage that it’s better for the Philippians that he remain in this world.  He could continue to teach them.  But dead, and he could go to be physically with Jesus forever.  Hence the quandary. 

I often wonder which would be the better choice.  Here on earth, I’ve got Jesus.  When I die, I’ll be with Jesus for eternity.  Ultimately it’s up to God the Father.  He has numbered my days.  While I’m here, it’s up to me to love God and love other people.  As we used to say in the Air Force, I’m “present for duty.”  I don’t know how many more days I’ll be here, but every morning I ask God to help me make the most of my day, to give me the strength to do what He wants me to do, and that I’ll work for His glory. 

It’s great to have Jesus both here on earth, and there in heaven forever.  Do you have Him? 

Worship: “Know You More,” by Hillsong Worship

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Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:4-7, NASB)

Rejoice?  Rejoice always?  Doesn’t He know I have ALS?  Yes, God is omniscient, knows all and sees all, so apparently He knows that I would rather not be in this situation.  Yet despite our circumstances, God expects us to rejoice.  He wants us to rejoice in Himself, and to do it always.  The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, thought that this point was so important, he repeated it:  ” . . .  again I will say, rejoice!”

I was reading through Philippians as part of a study on Paul’s letters, and it struck me that the entire epistle is a treasure trove of foundational principles for the church.  “Rejoicing always” is just one.  Paul was an excellent example of one who displayed an attitude of rejoicing no matter the circumstances.  He had been persecuted for his faith, survived stoning, been shipwrecked, and even wrote this letter from a Roman prison.  He had sufficient reason to complain, yet his message here is “rejoice always!”  Who am I to do otherwise? 
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4Philippians 4:4 image.  Found at DailyVerses.net, https://dailyverses.net/search/Rejoice/niv/nkjv

Paul goes on to say that we should display a “gentle spirit” to everyone, because “the Lord is near.”  Since Paul is writing to believers, the Lord is near, all right!  The Holy Spirit indwells us, and we are His Tabernacle!  A gentle spirit is one way we can make Him feel welcome in His Temple, of not defiling it. 

And finally in this paragraph, “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Like “rejoicing always,” being “anxious for nothing” is a tall order for anyone!  But the common denominator is God.  We’re to “rejoice always in the Lord,” and likewise let our “requests be made known to God.”  Those requests must be made “with thanksgiving,” which to me, is also a key element of being able to rejoice always! 

What’s the result of all this (“rejoice always,” “your gentle spirit,” and being “anxious for nothing”)?  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  I don’t know about you, but I could always use some of that kind of peace–the peace that will guard my heart and my mind “in Christ Jesus”! 

The key to rejoicing always is God.  We all have difficulties, but the one thing we can rejoice in is the Lord.  He sent His Son, and faith in Jesus means everlasting life.  God has promised that, and He’s in the business of keeping promises.  He never fails.  Likewise, the key to being anxious for nothing is also God.  With thanksgiving, we’re to make our requests known to Him.  I can’t say I always have an attitude of rejoicing.  Nor can I say I never get anxious.  But with God’s help (He’s not finished with me yet!), and with an attitude of gratitude, I’m working on it, and He’s working on me! 

Worship:  “Again I Say Rejoice,” by Israel Houghton
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Provider

Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife.  So the two of them walked on together.  Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”  And he said, “Here I am, my son.”  And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”  Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”  So the two of them walked on together.  Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.  Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”  And he said, “Here I am.”  He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”  Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.  Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.”  (Genesis 22:6-14, NASB)

I love this story of the near-sacrifice by Abraham of his son, Isaac.  The parallels with the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ are interesting!

At the outset of Genesis 22, we’re told that God would test Abraham. (v. 1)  God tells Abraham to take Isaac to the land of Moriah, and offer him up as a burnt offering to the Lord. (v. 2)  When arriving near the site, Abraham instructs two of his assistants to remain in place while he and Isaac go to worship, and they would then return. (v. 5)
In the passage above, Isaac carries the wood for the sacrifice, and wonders where is the lamb for the sacrifice, to which his father replies that God would provide the lamb.  Abraham binds his son to the alter, and is about to slaughter Isaac, when the angel of the Lord intervenes, telling Abraham not to kill his son.  Nearby, a ram is caught in a thicket, and provides a substitute sacrifice in place of Isaac.


Abraham and Isaac, by Anthony van Dyck, ca. 1617.  Found at commons.wikimedia.org
The parallels between Jesus and Isaac are interesting.  Abraham was asked to do what God later did:  They each offered their son/Son for a sacrifice.  Isaac carried the wood up the mountain on which he would be bound; Jesus carried a wooden cross up the slope of Calvary to which He would be bound.  We’re not told of Isaac’s reaction when his father was about to kill him, but he didn’t seem to have put up a struggle; Jesus went to the cross willingly, and He did so for you and for me.  Abraham was told to take his son to the land of Moriah; it was on Mount Moriah that King David purchased the site on which his son, King Solomon, would build the Temple, which was in sight of Calvary, where Jesus was sacrificed.

Another aspect of this story is Abraham’s faith.  He told his men that when done worshiping, he and Isaac would return.  In answer to Isaac’s question as they were hiking up the mountain, his father replied that God would provide the lamb.  God had told Abraham that He would establish a great nation by Abraham, and that it would be accomplished through Isaac.  If that was to be true, then how was it that Isaac would die that day?  Abraham had complete faith in the Lord; he knew he could trust God’s word!  His son would indeed live!

God provided the lamb that day.  On another day in the future, He would provide another Lamb, Who would take away the sins of the world!  The Bible says that Abraham named the site where the story took place “The Lord Will Provide.”  Hence one of the descriptive names of God, “Jehovah Jirah,” or “Yahweh Yireh.”  These translate to “the God Who sees,” or “the God Who provides.”

Our Lord God is the Provider.  Have you called on His name?


Worship:   “God Will Provide a Lamb,” by Michael Card

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Beginnings

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  (Genesis 1:1, NASB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  (John 1:1-2, NASB)

I love the Creation story.  It gives me hope because of the promises in the Bible from the Creator!

I’m reminded of the story told by a sports journalist (I don’t remember who) about his journey to faith in Jesus.  As a boy, he loved sports (as most boys do), and was bored and restless sitting in church (as most boys are).  But one day the words from the pastor woke him up, and started him on the road to faith.

What the pastor said: “In the beginning . . . “

What the young man heard:  “In the big inning . . . “


Consider all that God created:  Look to the heavens.  Astronomers tell us there are billions and billions of stars, most of which we can’t even see.  Yet the Bible says that God knows each one by name!  The same Creator constructed you and me with the same loving detail as those stars.  And he knows each of our names, has numbered the hairs on our heads, and has numbered the days of our mortal lives here on earth.
The Apostle John wrote that Jesus (the Word) was in on the Creation.  He goes on to say that nothing was created without His input.  He is Lord of all!


From John 1:1, found at bibletruthandprophecy.com

I’m in awe that the Father, who created everything we see, and beyond all that we can see, should have regard for little ol’ me!  He made me, He knew I’d be a sinner, and yet He made a way for me to have fellowship with Him, despite my flaws.  The Bible says that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.  All we have to do is believe in the Son and accept this precious Gift, and we will have everlasting life!  Communion with the Lord in heaven for eternity!  As I said, I’m in awe!

My hope is in the name of the Lord, Who has promised eternal life for those who call upon His name!  I have ALS.  As I sit on my bed pondering all this I understand the number of my days is not as many as I’d originally thought.  But God is in control.  He’s got this!  I stand on His promises!  Have you called on His name?


Worship:   “Nobody Like You,” by Paul Wilbur