I saw a Tweet today regarding some comments made by arguably the most famous and antagonistic atheist of our day, Richard Dawkins. An article appeared in The Telegraph of London that stated, "The Oxford professor posted a message on Twitter saying would-be parents who learn their child has the condition [Down Syndrome] have an ethical responsibility to 'abort it and try again.'" see article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/11047072/Richard-Dawkins-immoral-to-allow-Downs-syndrome-babies-to-be-born.html

   Dawkins posted a Tweet that said, "Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice."

   While this position provides the opportunity to comment on various levels, I only want to do so from one perspective. It is not to downplay his murderous stance on abortion or his uncaring/unfeeling comments. However, I only want to point out his hypocrisy from a philosophical standpoint.

   Dawkins is an avowed Atheist that mocks and ridicules the idea of a Creator. His main approach is to ridicule the position instead of truly dealing with it on an intellectual level. He believes in Macro-Evolution. When confronted by the presence of design within the natural world, he has allowed a position of Aliens coming and creating. (I know! Hilarious, right?) However. he vehemently denies the God of the Bible.

   What is ironic and hypocritical of Dawkins, and almost all other Atheists in history, is that after having denied a Creator and Judge, they make ethical statements!!! They provide statements and positions of how one ought to act, while at the same time denying a standard that tells us how we ought to act.

   Dawkins says there is no God. If there is no God, there is no absolute truth. If no absolute truth, truth is totally relative to each person. If that is the case, there is no possible way to say something is right or wrong or moral or immoral. Truth and morality become totally private areas where decisions are left up to each individual. There is no objective standard that applies to all people.

   Dawkins, after vehemently and consistently denying God, turns around and says something is immoral! On what basis does he presume to declare something moral or immoral? His hypocrisy is absolutely blatant!

   This is why almost all atheists will theoretically deny God, but they will still live as if there is an absolute, objective standard of right and wrong, morality or immorality, and basis for ethics. It is inconsistent, hypocritical, and illogical.

   You may ask, "Why don't they live consistently with their philosophy?" It is because when a person denies God and consistently lives that way, you have a Hitler, Stalin, etc. You have an unfeeling, uncaring dictator that seeks to impose his will by any means and all force available. That is the logical conclusion one must reach if there is no Creator and Judge. By God's grace, people still see such horrific persons as monstrous.

   May we who believe in Christ seek to understand the issues more clearly and propagate them more courageously. If you believe in God as He has revealed Himself in Creation and Scripture, do you live like it? 

      In our last post, we considered the command for Christians to forgive others because they have been forgiven by God. It isn’t easy, but Christians are to willingly and freely forfeit any perceived rights they may have to hold grudges or desire revenge. Let’s consider how this is addressed in Scripture.

     In Luke 17, Jesus briefly addresses the topic of forgiveness. Notice verse 1 says that it is impossible for offenses or stumbling blocks not to occur. In other words, there are going to be times when people get offended or hurt and become angry. Jesus wasn’t condoning this, but He was more than aware of our weakness and propensity to sin. Although believers are forgiven, possess new natures, and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, we are not perfect. We still sin and fall short of perfect obedience. (Notice verse 3, “Take heed to yourselves.”)

     Now, Jesus does speak about the one who causes the offense, but I don’t want to focus on that. Notice that he tells believers that if his brother sins or offends him, he is to rebuke the brother. That doesn’t mean that it is to be done in a mean-spirited or confrontational manner. It simply is meant to bring it to the attention of the brother (or sister). If the brother repents, then you are to forgive the brother.

     Believers are to desire restoration to the point that they are willing to bring the issue to the attention of the offending party. If the offending party realizes the offense and asks forgiveness, then the offended party is to extend forgiveness. That does seem pretty reasonable to most believers although that same number wouldn’t be as quick to rebuke or confront the brother. Instead, we are often content to pout or allow the hurt to grow into unhealthy attitudes. 

     Do we truly stop to consider that the person may not have realized we were offended? Why are we so prone to jump to the conclusion that the hurt was intentional? We assume the worst so often. We then get prideful and wait for the person to come and beg our forgiveness although the person may not even realize that there is a need for restoration.

     Returning to our text, Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that if a brother sins against them seven times in a day and asks for forgiveness seven times in that same day, they are to forgive him. Contemplate that! If someone blows up in anger and talks down to you and ask for forgiveness an hour later, you are to forgive that person. Six more times that day, the same thing happens, and there is to be the same reaction. We are to forgive that person! 

     Any honest person would probably say what I am thinking, “After the second time, I’d tell that person to take a hike. There wouldn’t be five more opportunities to replay this scenario. I don’t like the Groundhog Day scenario.”

     That is a natural response that is NOT to characterize us. As believers, we are different and are supposed to resemble the God who loves us and sent His Son to be our sin-Bearer. We are to walk in the power of the One who lives in us. We are to extend forgiveness because we have been forgiven, no matter how many times or how often there is a need or opportunity.

     The seven times is not meant to be taken in a “literally wooden” fashion. In other words, we are not meant to keep count and then withhold forgiveness on the 8th occurrence. The point is that we are NOT to withhold forgiveness. We are to be willing to grant forgiveness and not hold grudges. We have no choice in the matter. If Christ is our sovereign LORD and has commanded it, we are to obey. PERIOD! Again, it is virtually unthinkable humanly speaking and impossible in our own strength. That is why the disciples claimed, “Increase our faith,” (v. 5).  

     Before you completely reject this idea, I want you to consider one more thing. How many times has Jesus forgiven you for the same sins? 

 How many times have you lost your temper? 

How many times have you been impatient? 

How often do you take God or His grace and blessings for granted? 

Do you always stand up for the truth of the Gospel? 

Do you ever worry more about what others will think of you than what Jesus will think of you?

Do you love others in the same way you love yourself?

Do you always rejoice and never grumble?

Are your thoughts always pure?

Are you a faithful, consistent intercessory, prayer warrior?

Do you ever covet what other people have?

  
    You get the picture? That is just a short list of all of the ways we fail God, daily, in the same areas. Instead of saying, “You have reached your limit. No more forgiveness for you,” He says, “I have forgiven you all of your sins for My Name’s sake.”

    Psalm 103:8-14 state:

 “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

     If God has done this for us, how can we justifiably refuse to extend forgiveness to others? Ask God for the grace and empowerment to forgive others, no matter what they have done to you. 

"[Love] is not provoked" (1 Cor. 13:5). Self-centered anger cannot coexist with love.

The great eighteenth-century preacher and theologian Jonathan Edwards had a daughter with an uncontrollable temper. When a young man asked Dr. Edwards for his daughter's hand in marriage, he said no. The young man was crushed. "But I love her and she loves me," he pleaded. "That makes no difference," Edwards replied, "she isn't worthy of you." "But she is a Christian, isn't she," the young man argued. "Yes," said Edwards, "but the grace of God can live with some people with whom no one else could ever live."

That may seem harsh, but Jonathan Edwards knew what his would-be son-in-law hadn't yet learned: the presence of selfish anger indicates the absence of genuine love. "Love," said Paul, "is not provoked." It isn't given to sudden outbursts of emotion or action. It doesn't respond in anger to offenses committed against it.

Paul wasn't talking about anger over sin and its terrible consequences. That's righteous indignation, which Christians are expected to have. When Jesus drove the merchants and moneychangers out of the temple (John 2:14-15), He was genuinely angry because His Father's house was being desecrated. But He never reacted that way when He was personally attacked or maligned. In the same way, it's right for you to be angry when others are mistreated, when God is offended, or when His Word is misrepresented. But love always bears up under personal attacks.

Such graciousness is foreign to our society, which teaches us to fight for our personal rights and retaliate when we don't get what we think we deserve. That has produced greedy and loveless people who want little more than personal success and comfort. Anyone who dares to stand in their way is in danger of incurring their wrath.

As a Christian, you must resist such influences by focusing on your spiritual duty rather than your rights. If you expect nothing from the world, you won't be angered or disappointed when nothing comes. Remember, God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). So humble yourself before Him and He will exalt you at the proper time (James 4:10).

Suggestions for Prayer

Ask God for the grace to forgive those who wrong you.

For Further Study

According to Ephesians 4:26-27, how should you deal with anger?

Those who reject Christ and are hostile to the Church often base their hostility on the hypocrisy of professing Christians. Sadly, the blatant inconsistency of these professors is often damaging to the reputation of Christ in the eyes of the world. In reality, Christ’s character cannot actually be tarnished in its essence, but His followers can justify the claims of these antagonists, as least in their own minds.

     I want to address at least a couple of the areas in which Christians should truly be different than the rest of the world. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a vital list. Its vitality is seen in its relationship to the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

     Addressing these areas should not be taken as pointing the finger at other people because these are things that all Christians, including me, struggle to consistently practice. These blogs are as much for me as anyone else. Hear me preaching to myself first and foremost! I am just allowing you to listen in on the conversation.

    I truly believe that one of the most important traits that Christians must exhibit is forgiveness. It is not a trait that is easy or comes naturally. By nature we are self-centered and seek to protect ourselves and our reputation at all costs. We do not like being hurt, taken advantage of, talked about, or the victims of any other actions that can be viewed as attacks. 

     When we are hurt by others, disappointed by others, attacked by others, or wronged by others, we often become angry. We sometimes strike back out verbally or physically. If we refrain from these actions, we internalize emotions and harbor resentment and bitterness. We see ourselves as totally innocent victims that do not deserve any such treatment. We tend to see ourselves as generally good people that always treat others with love, respect, patience, kindness, tenderness, and other favorable attitudes. You see we actually overlook our own failures, inconsistencies, sins, and shortcomings very easily. We have no trouble “clearly seeing” the faults of others and even “infallibly discerning” their motives. (Hopefully you can identify the sarcasm.) We observe the speck in the eyes of others in spite of the log in our own eyes (Matt. 7:3-5).

     When we turn our gaze on ourselves and view ourselves as victims, we are going to become defensive and be prone to be bitter and resentful when people treat us in a less than loving or kind manner. Our gaze and focus must not be on our own honor and glory. As Christians, our focus and gaze is to be on the honor and glory of Christ. Our vision of ourselves is true and accurate only as we see ourselves in light of the cross of Christ! It is in the truth of God’s light that we have true and proper understanding (Psalm 36:9).

     How does a view of ourselves in light of the cross change the conclusions we reach? We see and are reminded that outside of God’s grace in Christ, we are totally unworthy of forgiveness and redemption (Romans 3:9-18; Eph. 2:1-3). We, in our natural state, could never save ourselves (John 3:3; 6:44, 65; Romans 5:8; 8:5-8). God saves us by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Eph. 2:4-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Titus 3:5; 2 Tim. 1:9; John 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:5). Those are basic truths of the Gospel that are foundational for accepting and embracing the redemption in Christ. A person must understand, embrace, and rely on these truths if he/she is to be saved. (There are more aspects to the Gospel, but for the sake of this article, only these are mentioned.)

     The fact of the matter is that these same truths are essential for living the Christian life out on a daily basis. We must renew our minds with these truths everyday so as not to become prideful, arrogant, discouraged, depressed, bitter, resentful, enslaved to legalism, and hosts of other anti-Gospel attitudes. No person, except Christ, has ever been without sin. All of these sinful people deserve only hell. They cannot do one thing to save themselves. All people that are saved from hell are saved by God’s grace alone, and this comes to them through the gift of faith. It, and every other benefit of the Gospel, was purchased by Christ. The only thing that any person contributes to his/her salvation is sin (Martin Luther).

     If that truth is kept before me everyday and I view my relationships through that lens, I will be empowered to forgive others when, not if, I am hurt or attacked. I cry out to God for the grace to forgive others because he forgave me. Although others may have intended to hurt me and don’t deserve my forgiveness, I willingly rebelled against God and don’t deserve His forgiveness.

     Christians are called and commanded to forgive others (Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32) and walk according to the example of our Savior, Jesus (Eph. 5:1-2). Forgiving others is not an option for Christians. It is commanded by God.

     In our own strength, it is impossible to obey this command. We cannot grit our teeth and muster up the strength. We are to pray and ask God for the grace to forgive others as we have been forgiven by Him. We are to renew our minds to the truth of the Gospel when we are tempted to focus on our perceived right to be angry or resentful. We don’t have that right as children and bond-servants of Christ. We forfeited those rights at the cross. 

     Trust me. I know this is not easy and requires us to die to ourselves on a daily basis. Nevertheless, it is what our LORD has called us to do. This, as well as every aspect of life, is for God’s glory. When we willingly and gladly embrace the forfeiting of our rights for the sake of Christ and the Gospel, God’s glory is magnified more clearly. 

One of my favorite Old Testament books and probably my favorite prophetic book is Jeremiah. He ministered in the face of bleak circumstances and saw very few visible results.

Basically, Jeremiah is preaching to the Jews as they are about to be conquered totally by the Babylonians. It occurred in waves, with the fall of Jerusalem coming in 586 B.C. Although Judah saw the 10 northern tribes of Israel conquered for idolatry in 722 B.C. by the Assyrians, the two southern tribes (Judah and Benjamin) did not take heed and repent of their wickedness. They suffered the same fate at the hands of Babylon.

As I have been reading through this book, a similar phrase has occurred repeatedly, and it brings to mind the book of Judges. Look at the following passages from Jeremiah:

3:17 - At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the LORD,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD; nor will they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.

7:24 - Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.

16:12 - You too have done evil, even more than your forefathers; for behold, you are each one walking according to the stubbornness of his own evil heart, without listening to Me. 

18:12 - "They will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’"

Judges 17:6 and 21:25 both state that there was no King in Israel during the time of the Judges, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes.  That sounds much like the passages from Jeremiah. The people were about to go back into captivity, and they would not listen to the word of God. They wanted to do what their own wisdom and counsel told them. They trusted in the physical temple, the priesthood, Old Covenant rituals, etc. However, they did not listen to or obey God's word (16:12 above). 

Sadly, it sounds quite a bit like churches and professing Christians in our own day. We claim "God told us..." about so many things, but these things are often contrary to Scripture. Instead of being instructed by God, we are actually walking as the Jews did in Judges and Jeremiah. God will never violate His written word!

Our minds are not trustworthy when it comes to wisdom and knowledge unless they are informed and taught by the word of God. God has not left it up to us to "dream a dream, and then go for it." The only way that we will be mature believers is to be taught by, reproved by, corrected by, and instructed by Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

Listen to just a few texts from Proverbs.

Prov. 28:26 - Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Prov. 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Prov. 26:12 - Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

How much time do you spend renewing your mind according to the truth of God's word (Rom 12:1-2) instead of trusting your own thoughts, reasoning, intellect, understanding, experiences, etc?

May God give us the grace and resolve to meditate in his word day and night (Psalm 1).  

"The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted." - Prov. 29:25

   This verse is so succinct in length but so rich in content. It sums up why so many people are in utter bondage. They are worried about what others will say or think about them. It is fearing man, and it is one of the "prison guards" that keeps watch over a vast number of people.

   Fearing what others think isn't relegated only to teenagers and school children. Unfortunately this bondage knows no age limits. Adults struggle with fears of offending others, hurting their feelings, etc. We don't want people to think we are "strange," "weird," etc. These fears and worries make us walk around on eggshells.

   Now, I am not advocating that Christians offend others for the sake of offense. Paul said that as much as depends upon us, we should try to live in peace with all men.  (Romans 12:18) Nevertheless, we must never be enslaved to the opinions of others. Living and striving for the approval of man will bring us into real bondage.

   As long as God is pleased with our lives, that is all that matters. We cannot serve God and the opinion of man. Paul, in Galatians 1:10, said that if he sought to please man, he would not be a servant of Christ. 

   By God's grace, I have grown in this area. I used to struggle with this issue, and the older I get, the less I worry about others liking me or pleasing them. Again, we are not to set out to be obnoxious or offensive. However, we must not let ourselves be enslaved by the opinions of others.

   Consider just a sampling of texts from Scripture that speak to the idea of not being afraid. (These are summations of these texts.)

Genesis 26:24 - God told Isaac not to fear because God was with Isaac.

Exodus 14:13 - God told Moses and the Israelites not to fear because He was with them and would save them.

Joshua 10:8 - God told Joshua not to fear his enemy because God had already given them into his hand.

1 Chronicles 28:20 - David told Solomon not to fear because God was with him.

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 - Jahaziel told the King and Israelites not to fear because the battle was God's. He would fight for the people.

Psalm 27:1-2 - Because God was David's light, salvation, and defense, he had no need to fear man. 

Psalm 118:6-9 - The Psalmist had no need to fear man because God was for him. Trusting in God was his only hope. Trusting in man or princes (modern day ruler or people of influence) is futile. 

Isaiah 41:10 - God, through Isaiah, says that He will be with the people. Therefore, they are not to fear or be dismayed. God promised to strengthen them.

Isaiah 43:5 - God reiterated the promise about being with the people, so there was no need to fear. 

Isaiah 51:7 - God told the people, those who knew His righteousness and law, not to fear man or be terrified by any of their threats or insults.

1 Peter 3:13-14 - Peter told the people there was no need to fear if they suffered for doing good. They would be counted as blessed. He then quoted the Old Testament about not fearing man's attempts to intimidate or cause trouble.

Hebrews 13:6 - The writer of Hebrews stated that God promised to be with His people. They should therefore be content and have no fear of man.

These passages are more than crystal clear. There are others in Scripture that state this glorious, liberating truth. Because God is with us and for us, we have absolutely no reason to fear man. I will close with the words of Jesus from Matthew 10 where Jesus was encouraging His disciples not to think it strange when they were persecuted and maligned for being like Him, their Master and Teacher.

Matthew 10:25-31 - Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

May our fear, reverence, and allegiance be to God and God alone. Only then will we be truly free! If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31)

soli Deo gloria

"The judgments of God upon his enemies, as well as his mercies to his people, are matters of praise. The perfections of God appear in both. Justice and mercy are so linked together in his acts of providence, that the one cannot be forgotten whilst the other is acknowledged. He is never so terrible as in the assemblies of his saints, and the deliverance of them (Ps. Ixxxix. 7). As the creation was erected by him for his glory; so all the acts of his government are designed for the same end: and his creatures deny him his due, if they acknowledge not his excellency in whatsoever dreadful, as well as pleasing garbs, it appears in the world. His terror as well as his righteousness appears, when he is a God of salvation."

These words were written by Stephen Charnock in the classic work The Existence and Attributes of God, Vol 2, pg. 110. They may be hard for people to hear in our day, but they are words in perfect harmony with the biblical record. God's holy, righteous judgments are as much a matter of praise as His love, mercy, and grace. We cannot pick and choose which attributes of God that we like and don't like.

The cross of Jesus is the place that provides us the clearest witness of this truth. God is just and the Justifier of the ones who have faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26). Why is that? It is because Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. God's perfect, righteous, just, holy wrath was poured out on Christ. It was the punishment for the sins of His people. Now in Christ we receive forgiveness, mercy, grace, etc.

The tender blessings of God are certainly cause for worship and praise, but they are not the only reasons. God's holiness, righteousness, and justice are also vital for us to understand, embrace, and acknowledge in our worship of Him.

soli Deo gloria.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."--Titus 2:11-12

"The fact is that the New Testament message embraces a great deal more than an offer of free pardon. It is a message of pardon, and for that may God be praised; but it is also a message of repentance. It is a message of atonement, but it is also a message of temperance and righteousness and godliness in this present world. It tells us that we must accept a Savior, but it tells us also that we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The gospel message includes the idea of amendment, of separation from the world, of cross-carrying and loyalty to the kingdom of God even unto death."

"To be strictly technical, these latter truths are corollaries of the gospel, and not the gospel itself; but they are part and parcel of the total message which we are commissioned to declare...."

"To offer a sinner the gift of salvation based upon the work of Christ, while at the same time allowing him to retain the idea that the gift carries with it no moral implications, is to do him untold injury where it hurts him worst." The Set of the Sail, 19-20.


Needful reminders that faith alone saves, but faith that saves is never alone!

   God is truly gracious, and we in America have enjoyed freedom to worship Him for the entirety of our life as a nation. However, it seems as if this freedom is coming under more and more scrutiny and assault. The privileges we have experienced is NOT the normal cultural experience of many in our day around the world or down through Church history. Suffering has been the way of those faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

   Listen to the testimony of Scripture:

“All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Tim. 3:12

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” Matt. 10:24-25

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” John 15:18-21

   Those are just a few texts that call attention to the presence of suffering in the lives of Jesus’ followers. Could it be that we don’t really find this to be a reality in our lives because we try to go out of our way not to offend people by the truth?

   Our goal should never be to set out to be offensive for the sake of offense, but when we stand for truth in the face of error, it is going to offend. When we bring the light into contexts of darkness, it will offend. When we stand for the absolute truth of Scripture, the exclusivity of Christ, and the singularity of the Gospel, a world and culture enraptured with Relativism and Pluralism will get offended.

   I was reading the words of one of my favorite devotional books this morning. It is from The Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life. This is from the larger classic The Institutes of the Christian Religion by J. Calvin.

   “It is a source of singular consolation for us when we suffer persecution for righteousness sake. For then we ought to remember how greatly we are honored by God when he decorates us with tokens of his service.”

   “I call it persecution for righteousness’ sake not only when we suffer in defense of the gospel, but also when we are opposed in upholding any just cause. When we defend the truth of God over against the falsehoods of Satan, or protect good and innocent people against injustice and injury, it may be necessary for us to incur the hatred and indignation of the world, so that our lives, our possessions, or our reputations may be endangered.”

   “But we should not be grieved when we exert ourselves in the service of God, and we should not count ourselves miserable when wit his own mouth he calls us most blessed. But when God breathes his favor on us, all things work together for our happiness and our well-being.”

   “Let us therefore be content with the approval of Christ rather than the false opinion of our flesh. Then we shall rejoice like the Apostles whenever he shall ‘count us worthy to suffer shame for his name.’”

   As Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

   May God give us the grace and strengthen us for such endeavors for His Name’s sake!

   soli Deo gloria

"My eye will never again see good." Job 7:7

   How easy it is for finite, imperfect creatures to focus only on outward circumstances and reach faulty conclusions? Job spoke these words after losing livestock, children, and his health. He sat on an ash heap using a broken piece of pottery to scrape his sores. He had stated that he loathed the day of his birth. All he could see told him life was over. All seemed to be downhill at "break-neck" speed.

   Remember, Job had no idea of events beyond his ability to see. He had no written revelation. We can read Job 1-2 and ask why Job was so downcast, but when we do, we mistakenly forget that he was not as privileged as we to possess a copy of Scripture. We are looking back on his plight, but all he knew at the time was what he saw and experienced.

   As we stop considering Job and ponder our own lives, how often do we do this very thing Job did? We face trials and difficulties, and begin to reason why such difficulties oppose us. We fix our eyes only what is seen much of the time. We, as Job, sink down in depression, self-pity, and reach faulty conclusions because we reason from the finite, limited, fallen perspective we possess inherently.

   Beloved that is when we must turn to Scripture and renew our minds to what God has revealed in His written word. He has given us glorious truth concerning His attributes and His purposes. He has given us great and precious promises, as well as His Spirit to indwell us. He has blessed us beyond measure!

   In spite of trials, difficulties, adversities, calamities, and any other trying circumstances, we must never reach the conclusion Job reached. Remember, he was completely wrong! We can turn to the end of this book and see the restored earthly blessings of God's to him.

   I read the following words this morning from Stephen Charnock in his classic work, The Existence and Attributes of God.

   "God, for the most part, takes opportunities to deliver, when his almightiness may be most conspicuous, and his counsels most admirable. He awakened himself not to deliver Israel, till they were on the brink of the Red Sea; nor to rescue the three children, till they were in the fiery furnace; nor Daniel, till he was in the lion's den. It is in the weakness of his creatures that his strength is perfected, not in a way of addition of perfectness to it, but in a way of manifestation of the perfection of it." (Loc. 15308 on Kindle)

   Charnock states that God acts in ways and times when His glory will be seen most clearly. He allows us to be on the brink of disaster, in the midst of the fire or danger, or other times where hope seems impossible. That is when His deliverance is most clearly seen and His glory exhibited. He does not do this because His strength or power is lacking, but He designs it thus so that His glory and strength will be manifested most clearly.

   God has never and will never abandon those He has redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. He is working all things together for our good and His glory whether we see it, understand it, or realize it. The question is, "Do we trust Him, His goodness, wisdom, power, and promises?"

   May God grant us the grace to say as the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

   soli Deo gloria