I've recently not had much time to blog. Truth be told, I've not had much time do anything online. Kate and I have been transitioning into a new ministry; we've been looking for, purchasing, and moving into a new house; and I've been a busy Master's student. My last post was over two months ago! But I did want to check in somehow or another. Because of the busy-ness, I thought that perhaps the healthiest thing I could do in a blog is share from my recent Bible reading.
I spend time every morning in the Word, in the early hours. M'Cheynne inspired me to get up earlier, by pointing out (I think rightly) that the early hours are the best hours of the day, so they should be spent with the Lord. Plenty of Scripture teaches how much of a blessing it is to rise early and spend time alone with God.
In Bible-reading, I typically am covering at least two books at once, if not three. At this point, I'm in the Psalms (as it is always a good practice to keep going through the Psalms), Deuteronomy, and John. I'll share today from my studies this morning.
Thoughts From Psalm 89 and 90
Psalm 89:14 says that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne. I've recently been studying much on the idea of wisdom, goodness, and truth being proof of the existence of God. John 1 calls Jesus the Word of God, through whom the world was made, He himself being "the life, which was the light of men". Colossians 2 has Paul saying that in Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Further, Proverbs 8 has "wisdom" speaking as a person, saying it (he) was with God from the beginning. If one connects Jesus' parallel statements in Matthew 23:34 and Luke 11:49, one finds Jesus calling Himself the wisdom of God (as does Paul in 1 Cor. 1:24).
In the Psalm here, we find that it is righteousness (all that is right, correct, and good) and justice (fairness, balance) that are the very foundation of God's throne. In essence, man's desire for and appreciation of righteousness and justice (and we all passionately long for justice) is at most proof of God's existence, and at least a witnessing tool for God's people to use in bearing witness. "Don't you long for justice, and rightness? The God of the universe is Himself righteousness and justice. All that is well throughout history is seen in His Son Jesus Christ. Anywhere where there has been righteousness and justice practiced has been the result of God's grace in pouring it forth from His throne."
Psalm 90:2 says that before all things were created, "you are God". Time doesn't apply to God, only to the creation. Thus, God is not waiting on the future to come to pass, nor does He look "back" into the past. Rather, God is both up ahead and behind while He is here in the present. This is why His Word never changes, nor does He -- as time marches on, God is. "I am who I am". "Before Abraham was, I am." His putting Himself into conversations of history and action throughout the Scripture is simply His bearing witness to man that He does in fact work in history. This is why the miraculous is so miraculous to us, while it is the snap of a finger to God.
Thoughts From Deuteronomy 6
Deut. 6:1-2 calls the keeping of God's Word "the fear of the Lord". People are thrown off by the idea of "fear", but it is because they don't understand sin and the need for a healthy relationship with their God. As sinners, we must fear God. And yet, it is not the same fear as a scary movie, but the same fear that a son has for a good dad and a good dad has for his precious little daughter. It is reverence and care. It is the fear of the loss of life if the relationship is severed.
God ties up the fear of Him with keeping His Word. If you're to know Him, you must keep His Word. This is why Psalm 19:9 equates the fear of the Lord with the Word of the Lord.
And as you keep His Word, you'll find yourself healthily fearing Him more. His Word will reveal His holiness and goodness, which will keep you continually stunned at His majesty. It will show you your lack of holiness, which will then highlight His grace in forgiveness. "With you there is forgiveness, that you'd be feared" (Psalm 130:3). And it will prove fruitful and blessed in your life. It'll make you grow. In due time you'll yield fruit (Ps. 1:6).
Deut. 6:4, while we are called to keep God's Word, says that our relationship to God is to be one of love from the heart. 6:6 continues, saying that His Words are to be on your heart. God has never wanted an empty observance. He wants the hearts of those created in His image to be captivated by His beauty and glory. He wants to be loved. Again, the implication here is that as you keep His Word, you'll find yourself loving Him more. Think about Jesus' words in John 8:31-32, where He promises that if you keep His word, you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. Your heart will change as you walk with Him. The truth will change you.
Deut. 6:12 has God warning His people as they enter the promised land. He is bringing them into a land of abundance, where they will be richly blessed. Now he warns them to take care when this time comes, lest they forget the Lord. Blessing, while it is a blessing, has been made a curse by the Fall. The sinful flesh under Adam takes God's blessing and abundance, and forgets about Him. As the person has much, they begin to find their identity and fulfillment in the possessions. One needs the Spirit of Jesus to keep their heart soft.
This is exactly why Proverbs 30:9 has the prayer that God would give just what is needed, "lest I be full, and deny you". Jesus pointedly said to pray to God for our "daily bread" (Matt. 6:11), following up shortly by saying to pray to be led away from temptation. The rich young ruler is a good example of the deceitfulness of riches -- he thought he wanted eternal life, but when Jesus said, "Gotta get rid of your riches for your heart to be free in me," he proved where his heart was. He was self-deceived. He couldn't accept that following Jesus means leaving literally everything behind if Jesus says to (see Matt. 19:24).
Our treasure must be in heaven, not on earth. If it is on earth ... and it isn't just riches, but power, control, comfort, whatever "cause" you are undertaking, peoples' opinion of you, affirmation of family, cultural norms, etc. ... you will not believe. "How can you believe, if I tell you heavenly things?" Which leads to ...
Thoughts From John 3
In this familiar story, Nicodemus a Pharisee, from among the many who "believed" in Jesus because of His good works (2:24-25), comes to him by night looking for commendation for coming and knowing Jesus is from God. "We know God is with you". Jesus responds remarkably (and, if it was today, meanly) by telling Nic he needs to be born again, from above. Jesus says that it is by God's sovereign Spirit (meaning man can't force it or do it, but it is something God does alone; see 3:8), and that it is through the cleansing away of idols. Jesus tells him he'll never see God's kingdom if he isn't born again.
Note how Jesus takes Nicodemus right to talking about the Kingdom. Nic wants to talk about earthly things (he can't not). But instead of commendation for saying, "Ooh, teacher, I know the answer! I know who you are!", he got condemnation for not seeking God's Kingdom first.
Jesus appeals to his being "the teacher of Israel", because, in studying the Scriptures, Nicodemus should have seen:
a) the importance of the Kingdom; all throughout the Old Testament, God is more and more revealing the Heavenly Kingdom as the real Promised Land for the people of God. Nicodemus should have understood this. Instead of responding with a question about human birth (trying to oust Jesus) after Jesus' first rebirth statement, he should have responded with a question about the Kingdom.
b) the sovereignty of Spirit rebirth; if man is addicted to his sin (which the Bible repeatedly says), God must give rebirth as a gift. And the good news is that He wants to, and is giving it to people as His Word goes out. Nicodemus should have remembered the language of Ezekiel 36 and 37, where God promises in the Messianic days to put His Spirit in people, writing His Word on their hearts. There God couches these truths with a famous visual image of Ezekiel prophesying God's Word over a valley of dry bones, with God then saying this is the new birth: the preaching of His Word over dead people, and through it He puts His Spirit in them. Jesus is graciously telling Nic that he should be thinking in these terms.
c) that if our eyes are on earthly things, our eyes can't receive Jesus' testimony and God's Word. "I speak of heavenly things and you don't receive it... if I've told you earthly things and you don't receive it, how can you receive it?" (3:11-12). It is the same as Romans 8:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 2:14, where Paul says that if the mind is on the flesh (earth, this life, self, etc.), it can't accept the things of God's Spirit. This is a witness to us of the importance of making sure our eyes are on heavenly, Kingdom things, lest our hearts harden and our minds darken so that we are no longer able to hear God's truth (cf. Rom. 1:21-23).
God's Word is such a rich treasure. If you want to grow in your fear of Him, it'll have to be through His Word. If you want to know Him, it'll have to be through Jesus. Go to him, for His arms are open to the truly repentant. "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things from your Law" (Ps. 119:18).
Scott Stine - Pastor of First Baptist Church, Newton NJ. Follower of Jesus; husband, daddy, PhD student, too distracted by basketball.
