“…my glory will I not give to another”
- Isaiah 42.8
When you think about who God is and what He can do, this statement blows your mind. God is love, the prince of peace, a strong tower, a fortress, gracious, loving, creator, judge, ruler of all, I am, Father, Lord, Jesus, Three yet One, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, all-powerful, and this is just scratching the surface. The God who gave His only Son to die and rise again, the God who created man knowing the hurt and shame he would cause, the God who spoke the world into existence, the God who loves and cares for me personally, this God will not give His glory to another. How could we give God’s glory to anyone else? Is He not completely deserving? Our minds say ‘yes that’s right!’ But what do we put before God everyday? Who do we put before God? Oh, if we could just grasp what we are doing! If we could understand just a tiny bit of what God is like and WHO He is, we would immediately fall prostrate before Him, trembling from the very thought. God is a jealous God and rightly so! Will we give glory to a person, a job, or a sport? Or will we give glory to the only One to whom it is due? Be the one who will not give God’s glory to another.
– Ashley Shope
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
- Psalm 119.137
Do we realize the immense implications of this simple verse?
Just the first phrase is incredibly far reaching in its affects on us. So much is dependent on the righteousness of God.
By the righteousness of God we are condemned. We are compared against the righteousness of God and are found unworthy.
Christ in righteousness, not willing that we should perish, in accordance with his mercy, came to us to be our perfect sacrifice. Christ could only BE that sacrifice BECAUSE OF His righteousness. His righteousness in its immensity could swallow up our sins and make us sinless.
Not only does Christ’s righteousness consume our sins, it because our covering. We have the righteousness of God imputed, or given and laid upon, us.
That is just the tip, the threshold, the first fleeting glimpse, of the amazing righteousness of God. And thats just the first phrase of this precious verse!
The last part of this verse hinges on the righteousness of God. If it were not for His right-ness, His correctness, His truthfulness, (all these are explanatory of righteousness) his judgments could be called into question. But based on His righteousness we can rest with confidence in His Word. And more than that this isnt a temporary righteousness, this isnt something that can fade, or change. This righteousness, verse one hundred forty-two tells us, is everlasting. That means that the same right-ness that condemns us, always condemns us. The same righteousness that saves us always saves us. The same righteousness that covers us and identifies us before God the Father as one of His own is always there never running out, never fading away, always constant. It will never run out, it will never not condemn, it will never not justify.
What does that mean? How does this all connect and become personal?
The righteousness of God should be an all encompassing, ever conscience of, theme in our lives. It points out our own unrighteousness, it swallows up our sin, it justifies us before God and secures us for eternity as one of God’s. His righteous word points all of this out to us and tells us how to live. The Word of God tells us to tell others of the awesome righteousness of God. It tells us to worship the God of all righteousness and exalt Him through the righteousness He gave us FOR His righteousness. So are you being obedient to the Righteous God?
I usually dont like posting a little without preaching (just becaue I’m not that interesting) but I figured I’d try to make this blog a little more personal.
This weekend I’m up with my girlfriend’s family* for Fall Break… yes, Fall Break just before Thanksgiving Break- just before Christmas Break. Not that I’m complaining, I’m glad to get away from school whenever I can.
Hope to have a few more posts this week at least one from Psalm 119. So stay tuned for more!
*actually I’m staying with her grandparents at their house (down the street, across the bridge and to the right) but who’s being particular?
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
- John 2.1-11
Continuing in these thoughts on the Christ Centeredness of the Miracle at Cana of Galilee I’d like to look at first
Anyone who has something going wrong in their life. Whether its forgetting your keys, getting a stain on your favorite shirt, health problems, a dying or dead loved one, whatever is “falling through” in your life Jesus wants to use it to show His mightiness and rescue you. Do you understand that Jesus knew when He was invited to this feast that He would be working this miracle? Do you know that when this man was purchasing the wine for this feast God was allowing him to not purchase enough? Why? So that Christ’s greatness could be shown! Whatever your circumstance, whatever your situation God is using it to show forth the glory of His Son and His sufficiency to deliver. So rejoice in the bad and inconvenient because Christ will get the glory from it. Whatever insufficiency you have Jesus is using it to make known, or show forth, the unspeakable riches of His majestic grace.
Fourthly you have the perfect bridegroom. The bridegroom at this wedding is your typical man: irresponsible and unable to plan. (I say this as your typical male myself) This man was getting married! This was supposed to be an opportunity to demonstrate his dependability and how he would take care of his bride.
Fail.
But then you have Jesus. The God-man. The perfect bride-groom. This past December I was in the wedding of a good friend of mine. The night before the wedding the groom had some trouble sleeping so we (the groomsman) all stayed up with him talking and encouraging him as he took the leap into marriage. One of the passages of Scriptures that we went through and all discussed at great lengths was the passage of Jesus as the bride-groom of the church, Ephesians chapter five. Here we see Jesus as the perfect man. No jitters. No worries. No irresponsibility. Perfect. Able to take care of. Able to love unconditionally and perfectly. Totally sufficient. Thats the groom of the church. Thats what we, as members of the church (those who are saved), have as a promise, engaged to us. We have the perfect bridegroom. Not some inept irresponsible man from Cana who cant count a guest list and figure out how much wine to buy. We have the Righteous, Holy, All Sufficient Saviour as our Groom.
Conclusion:
This past week at Missions Conference I had the “privilege” of helping several hundred kids (and a handful of brilliant adults) down a rope ladder off of a “hut” built five and a half feet off of a concrete floor. (This was part of a maze of “continent” displays to show different locations around the world.) When doing this the process was almost the same every time. A small child would come to the opening in the hut and look down. Then to me. They’d look me in the eyes and without saying anything their fear was perceptible. They couldnt do it and they knew it. If they tried they’d end up hurting themselves and possibly others. So what could they do?
Nothing.
So as those little eyes looked at me I’d smile my friendliest and lift them off of the hut and hold them, clinging desperately to my arms, to the floor. From there they’d look up at me, happiness and excitement replacing the fear and doubt they’d held before, and they’d scamper off to continue exploring the “Missions Village”. One little boy even turned around after his fourth or fifth trip through and called back “You’re a good lifter!”.
What does this have to do with Jesus?
This bride-groom, the unsaved, the christian worker, anyone who has anything going wrong, the church, and everyone else in the world is that little child. They’re looking helplessly down from a high place. They cant do anything. They’re trapped. What can they do? Nothing! What can you do? Nothing! You’re trapped. But Jesus, through Scripture and through Christians who preach the Word of God, is smiling and holding out his arms. He says “C’mere, I’ll help you.” Then clinging for dear life to the nail scarred hands we’re lifted to the solid Rock. From there we go off telling other people “Hey, He’s a good lifter!”. Others having seen the dangerous opening ahead and wondered “How am I going to get down?” by witnessing you being lifted up in the arms of Christ now have an answer. You run out and tell your friends, “Hey dont be afraid theres someone there who will help you down.” Thats what this story is about. The inability of the bride-groom points to the ability of Christ. Weak? Perfect.
So what are you waiting for? Jump into the waiting arms and glorify the one who bears you up.
“I chose you . . .” ( John 15:16 ). Keep these words as a wonderful reminder in your theology. It is not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding, and doing exactly as He chooses. And why is He doing it? He is doing it for only one purpose— that He may be able to say, “This is My man, and this is My woman.” We have to be in God’s hand so that He can place others on the Rock, Jesus Christ, just as He has placed us.
- Oswald Chamber, My Utmost for His Highest, Oct. 25,
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
- John 2.1-11
Kind of an unsung character of this account of Christ’s first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana is the bridegroom. The groom of a Jewish wedding was responsible for the preparation and for the festivities. This included the wine that they would run out of before the feast was over.
This bridegroom was the inadequate one. The one who needed Jesus. He was unprepared. He had, to draw from one of Jesus’ parables, had begun to build a tower and not counted the cost. This man in all of his insufficiency with all of his poor planning was ordained of God for the purpose of Christ manifesting His glory, His sufficiency, His perfection.
This man’s irresponsibility and failure to plan demonstrates in a very palpable way man’s proclivity to be able to take care of himself and his inability to come through for those who were depending on him. There is a multitude of applications and parallels that can be drawn here and therefore a multitude of ways for Christ to receive glory from this man’s insufficiency.
One is to the lost, whatever you’re doing to try to “take care of things” as far as your salvation and spiritual soundness goes, is not going to be enough. As much as you’re trying to make sure there will be enough wine to satisfy the guests, you’re going to find out that the only one who can fill up your lack and take care of your needs is Jesus Christ.
Secondly there is the message to the Christian Worker. You’re laboring as hard as you can. You’ve got a ton of responsibility working for all you’re worth trying to meet the “needs” and desires of those depending on you. But you’re swiftly realizing you’re never going to be enough. You NEED Jesus to step in and work on your behalf through you.
The conclusion of this blog will be posted tomorrow.
Missions Conference Prep, Missions Conference, and a lovely case of bronchitis, have made for a pretty fun week and a half. I’m still coughing and wheezing a little while I type this but I thought I’d share a quick thought from Psalm 119.97-104 (Mem).
The Psalmist, in this passage, very vividly declares the effect his love for God’s Word has had on him.
The Declarations:
“How I love thy law”, “it is my meditation all the day” “it hast made me wiser” “I have not departed from thy judgments..they are sweet”, “sweeter than honey”,
The Effect
“Therefore I hate every false way”, “Therefore I have refrained my feet from every evil way.”
We must see this sequence of cause and effect in Scripture. The example this Psalmist gives declaring his affection and dedication to the Word of God should serve as a motivation and encouragement to us to be loving and feasting continually upon this book that is “sweeter than honey”. Do you struggle with sin? Do you struggle with knowing God’s will? A love and devotion, such as the psalmist portrayed shows us that when we’re consumed with God’s Word our attitude against false-hood, “gray areas” and the wicked way becomes in sync with God’s. We see things as God does because His words, and therefore His mind, has been infused into us. Pray that you would love His law so you would hate every false way.
“The real key to the missionary’s message is the “remissionary” aspect of Christ’s life, not His kindness, His goodness, or even His revealing of the fatherhood of God to us. “. . . repentance and remission of sins should be preached . . . to all nations . . .” ( Luke 24:47 ). The greatest message of limitless importance is that “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins . . . .” The missionary’s message is not nationalistic, favoring nations or individuals; it is “for the whole world.” When the Holy Spirit comes into me, He does not consider my partialities or preferences; He simply brings me into oneness with the Lord Jesus.”
- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, The Missionaries Work pt. 2,
Oct. 15,
In preparation for the World Missions Conference here at Temple (the church from which the college I attend sprang) I had the opportunity to work on some mini missionary biographies that will be presented by “missionary impersonators” to kids from K-4 to 6th Grade.
Some of things that really struck me from these biographies, or just in the research of them, will occupy a few blog posts in the future, but for now I’d like to share a terrific bit from Lady Jane Grey. If you don’t know her story you should look up just a little about her life.
Caught up in political turmoil and arranged marriages in 16th Century England, Lady Jane Grey was a victim of circumstance. A girl of only seventeen, with a rough child-hood, who, nevertheless, was a brilliant young woman. Queen for only nine (or fourteen – dependent on who you ask) days, after (Bloody) Mary Tudor claimed the Crown from her in succession of Edward the IV, Lady Jane was imprisoned and shortly thereafter sentenced to death. Her cowardly bully of a husband in hopes of delaying death would recant his Protestant beliefs and yield to Catholicism. Lady Jane would have nothing of that sort for herself. But she was far from just being naive. The dethroned monarch defended her beliefs to the priest who was sent to convert her.
On her last morning on earth Lady Jane wrote letters to her family. One to her father, to her sister, and even to her cousin, Mary, who was having her put to death.
In her letter to her sister Lady Jane sent to her her precious Greek New Testament. In that letter Lady Jane wrote the following terrific testimony to the power of the Scripture:
I have sent you, good sister Katherine , a book, which although it be not outwardly trimmed with gold, yet inwardly it is more worth than precious stones. It is the book, dear sister, of the laws of the lord: It is His Testament and Last Will, which He bequeathed unto us wretches, which shall lead you to the path of eternal joy, and if you, with a good mind read it, and with an earnest desire, follow it shall bring you to an immortal and everlasting life.
It will teach you to live and learn you to die…[the book] shall win you more than you should have gained by the possession of your woeful father’s lands, for as if God prospered him, you shall inherit his lands…[the contents contain] such riches as neither the covetous shall withdraw from you, neither the theif shall steal, neither let the moth corrupt…And as touching my death, rejoice as I do and consider that I shall be delivered of this corruption and put on incorruption, for as I am assured that I shall for losing of a mortal life, find an immortal felicity. Pray God grant you and send you his grace to live in the love…
Farewell good sister, put only your trust in God, who only must uphold you,
Your loving sister, Jane Duddley. (Duddley was her married name)
Within a few hours of writing those words Lady Jane Grey was brought to a chopping block, where her last words were those of her Great Saviour as recorded in Luke’s Gospel, “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.”.
How noble a death. Not the mode but the manner. Though surrounded by political whirlwinds and all kinds of things, we find this jewel of a Christian who bravely faces death for the hope of eternal life through Christ. The death wasnt shrouded in fear it was garnished in glory of the God who waited on the other side of that portal. O may we learn to live and to die from the same Book as this terrific woman of God did!
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Mid-terms, Missions Conference preparation, and work have combined to make a terrific excuse for procrastinating on blog posts. But I hope to be posting something in the coming week and possibly some pictures of the World Missions Village.
