Always

Nearly 25 years ago, Bette Midler put out a huge hit called, "From a Distance".  The basic theme was that God was this dispassionate Being who had set the world into motion and was merely observing humans in all their goings-on since the dawn of creation.

What a lie.

Proverbs 15:3 (ESV) DOES say this:

3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

This verse speaks to the characteristic of God we call "omnipresence".  But, "watching" or "keeping watch" are not the same as "omnipresence".  Omnipresence is more than watching from a distance.  Omnipresence is "being there", being present everywhere at the exact same time.

But, omnipresence is merely one of the aspects of God's amazing character.  He is not merely present either.  He is actively present in every aspect of every human's everyday life.

Psalm 77 and Genesis 14:18-23 are but two of many examples throughout the Bible which show the penitent soul asking for God's intervention and then recounting the many times God has in the past shown His mighty hand in the affairs of men.  Benjamin Franklin referred to this aspect of God's stewardship and utter sovereignty when he made his famous speech (about prayer) to the Constitutional Convention in 1787:  " I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it. "1

(How far we have fallen as a country from the standard Mr. Franklin put forth!)

As a child I was told that my parents had "eyes in the back of their heads".  I knew that was a figure of speech, and it was told to me to keep me in line (a difficult task, to be sure).  But, behind the warning, I knew there was benevolence and tender love.  As parents, we long to watch over our children every single moment.  Today's technology has made that more feasible, with phone apps and baby monitor cameras and so forth.  However, only God, through His divine omnipresence, can truly be with us and our loved ones continually.

Non-Christians find this ever-present aspect of God's character extremely troubling.  The ungodly have no desire to be either observed OR interfered with, as they go about their daily practices of sin.  The only sanity-saving alternative for them is to deny the existence of God completely, which allows them to dwell comfortably in their sinful practices.  The proliferation of atheism always goes hand-in-hand with personal or national debauchery.

Christians are more comfortable with God's ever-presence, bringing feelings of peace (for His steadfastness/guidance/love) and humility (for the times we lapse into sin in his presence ... because we are always in His presence).

Today our world is increasingly challenged by ever-encroaching depravity.  Every news story seems to bring new, horrible tidings of sinful behavior.
What a supreme comfort to know that, no matter the circumstances, God remains in control of this world and of our individual lives.  And, that no matter what happens to me in this earthly existence, nothing nor anyone can snatch me from His loving hand.

They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from Me.

John 10:28 (Aramaic Bible)

Source:

1    http://captainjamesdavis.net/2014/02/02/god-governs-in-the-affairs-of-men-speech-by-benjamin-franklin-during-the-constitutional-convention/

The Safest Place

Spending a few minutes in Ezekiel this morning, I came across in chapter 11 today's key verse, verse 8:

"You have feared a sword; so I will bring a sword upon you," the Lord God declares.

Ezekiel 11:8 (NASB)

In this passage the Israelites were in one of their infamous bouts of disobedience to their God.  They had strayed from His ways, substituting the ways, methods and "ordinances" (vs. 12) of the pagan people groups that surrounded them.  Their rulers and leaders were evil, in this regard.

The rulers' rationalization and justification to the people for doing so was, "If we don't do this the nations around us will ravage and conquer us!"  The bottom line was: they were trusting in their own power and in pagan methods to preserve their safety, instead of trusting in YHWH, their God.

There are many circumstances Satan uses to tempt us to fear.  If He can, after all, scare us out of following God boldly, then he has handicapped our effectiveness for the kingdom of God.

Is there a circumstance, or several, making you fearful today?  What is a Christian's antidote to fear?

And, what does it mean to be "safe" anyway?  Does it mean no harm will ever come to you?
No.

While walking resplendent (according to Jesus Christ's example) yields a life of peace and joy, it is not a life free of challenges and sometimes downright pain.   Why?

Let's tackle these questions.

1.  The Antidote to Fear
Simply, the antidotes to fear are prayer and trust in the One who "holds all things in His hands".  If we trust, committing ourselves and our circumstances to God, we can be certain, absolutely certain, that He will:

• do what is right
• guide us
• be with us through every adverse condition
• use all of our situations for His glory and the advancement of our kingdom
• work things out "for our good" (especially when things seem like crap all around us).  (Romans 8:28)

It may not be that He "works things out" the way we'd like, but we can have bedrock, rock-solid trust in His goodness and His sovereignty.
Where is room for fear in that?  No room.  He, and He alone, is our "safest place".

2.   The Answer to Pain
Why must good people suffer?
First of all, there is no one truly righteous, except God.  Christians know this, as it is the first step to becoming a Christian. (Romans 3:10)
But, I'm talking about Christians, those who love God (to the best of their flawed ability) with all their hearts, minds, souls...
Why do Christians, God's family suffer?
Apart from sinful choices which bring suffering down on our own heads, the answer is hinted at in #1 above - - -
All of our life conditions, phases, seasons, circumstances are allowed us so that we can:

• grow in our faith
• be drawn closer to His heart
• become more like our Savior
• bring about the advancement of the gospel message, be instrumental in "His kingdom come, His will be done" (Matthew 6:9-13)
• bring Him glory

So, we must not adopt the methods of the Jewish leaders in Ezekiel 11.  Their methods were to be deceived by and yield to worldly strategies and pagan philosophies to solve spiritual problems (such as dealing with fear and pain).  God's solutions trump and are superior to man's (Satan's) counterfeits every.single.time.

The question is: will we, God's beloved people, be bold and fearless, moving forward in faith and courage, to follow our King in all of life's circumstances?  Are we willing to follow Him and His ways obediently, according to the Word of God, no matter the personal cost?  Is the battle worth it?  Is HE worth it?

Yes, and so be it.   I believe He is worth it all.

Heavenly King and Father God,
"Give us wisdom.  Give us courage, for the facing of this hour....for the facing of this hour!"
In Jesus' name, amen.

Financial Security

What I have on my mind this morning is...taxes.  Yes, April 15 looms, and my preparations are not made.  Over the past three days I've been piddling around, trying to get ready to submit my records to good 'ole Uncle Sam.  What a chore!  I think that my #1 issue for a presidential candidate at the moment is a flat or a fair tax....

At any rate, I thought I'd poke around to see what the Bible says about money, and it says a LOT - - - enough for a series of blog posts.  But, I shall refrain.  These verses were the first to draw my attention.

10 

The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money,

he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income.

This also is futile.

11 

When someone’s prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase;

so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes?

12 

The sleep of the laborer is pleasant—whether he eats little or much—

but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

I don't have trouble sleeping, although compared to the wealth of the rest of the world even an average American like me is in "the 1%" - - - the top 1% of wealthiest people in the world.

King Solomon, who accumulated more wealth than practically any of us will ever see, testified that it was distinctly unsatisfying.  These verses are part of a long recitation of things in life that are "vanity" or "futile" or "meaningless", depending on your translation.  He warns us, in verse 10, against making money an idol, as those who do can "never have enough".

It is easy to say, "Well, I don't do THAT."  But, how about looking to money for your security?  This, too, is idolatry.  I'm not talking about sensible saving, investing, etc.  However, anyone who has ever "lost it all" in a quick series of market tumbles or bad investments understands that the "security" provided by money is an illusion.

Unbelievers have no security, because it begins and ends in Jesus Christ.  As Christians, our steadfast assurance and eternal hope are in Him.  As the hymn says, "Our hope is built in nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

"Nothing less"...I can testify that I have made some bad choices over the course of my life in regard to money, and many of them have to do with "playing it safe", depending on my own efforts to ensure my financial security.  This is a deception.  We are the most safe and secure when we have firmly anchored our soul to Jesus and are walking obediently in His will, whether that looks "safe" or "sensible" to the outside world or not.

Here's a good habit to form, and one at which I want to get better.  Before making a major purchase, I want to ask myself:  "Is this what He would want me to spend His gifts on?"  "Is this going to expand His kingdom?  Will it increase the glory I'm able to reflect back to Him?"  These are key questions, sobering ones.  I am firmly convinced many of us (myself included) will be called on to answer for whether or not we did as He wanted with the financial gifts we were given.

So, now I've got to get back to the business today of "counting beans".  (How some of my family members do this for a living, I'll never know....That's why there are different gifts and talents for each of us.)  As I've been doing this over the past few days, I've been able to look back over 2015 and realize how I spent my time (calculating mileage) and my financial resources as well.  I've been able to reflect on the abundant blessings (financial and otherwise) God has given me, as He is the source of all good things.  It has produced thankfulness and humility in my soul, as well as a renewed resolve to be used even more by Him as 2016 moves on.

Father, teach us, Your children, that our firm foundation is only in You, that You are not only the Source of All Blessing, but You are also our only security.  Please don't let our wealth become a curse or an idol, but instead, may it be used to spread the gospel throughout all the world.  In Jesus' name, amen.