Tag: A Word for Wednesday

Categories
Uncategorized

What Nature Speaks of God

Visiting Colonia, Uruguay, Peggy and I were intrigued by its history, particularly as silently spoken through its architecture. Founded in 1680 by Portuguese soldiers, the settlement soon fell to Spanish forces, only to change hands between the two sides at least seven times over the next 130 years. Today, the historic sector of Colonia remains a fusion of both traditions—the ornate, pastel painted, stucco facades of Spanish influence interspersed among the rougher stone and wood exteriors of more subdued earth tones, the legacy of the Portuguese. Who they were mainfested through their respective creations.

Paul claims the same about God: “What can be known about God is plain to [people], because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”1 So let’s pause and listen to what creation proclaims of its Maker.

God’s irrefutable authority. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”2

God’s sovereign power. “Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?”3

God’s ubiquitous magnificence. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. . . When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”4

God’s transcendent glory. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”5

God’s artistic brilliance. “O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all.”6

In Hebrews we read, “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”7 In turn, what we see speaks volumes about its unseen Maker. He is great. He is sovereign. He loves us. We can trust Him.

Father, grace me to quiet my soul before You, that I might marvel in what You have made and know You better as its Maker. In Christ I pray. Amen.

Categories
Uncategorized

When Smart Isn’t Smart

My friend drives a Smart car—you know, the little ones that look like a bobblehead football helmet on four wheels, and not much bigger. Curious as to its crashworthiness and occupant safety, I took the indirect approach to inquiry: “How does your Smart car do in snow?” I asked him. “Terrible,” he replied, “I only drive it in good weather.” He went on: “I once hit a racoon with this car. It cost me $300 in damage, and the racoon ran off!”

(Uh-huh. Just as I thought.)

Sometimes “smart” is, well, just not smart. Sometimes “thrifty” is costly. Sometimes “safety” is still perilous. This is true of our physical health, and even more so of our spiritual wellbeing. Yet when it comes to the latter, it is all too easy to be duped into death-trap theology, such as, “There are many paths that lead to God.” Such feel good assertions are “unsafe at any speed,” for Jesus himself taught us the exact opposite. “Enter by the narrow gate,” He urged His hearers, “For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”1 Likewise, Peter, having sat under Jesus’ tutelage before witnessing the risen and ascended Christ, boldly proclaimed to the gathered crowd, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”2 By what authority can we possibly assert anything else? And why would we thus imperil others?

Lest there be any doubt, Jesus proclaimed as clearly as can be, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”3 Place your entire trust in Him and in Him alone. Anything else is less, and anything less is just not smart.

“Lord [Jesus], to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”4 Father, “sanctify [us] in the truth; your word is truth.”5 Holy Spirit, “guide [us] into all the truth.”6 In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
2 Acts 4:12 NIV
3 John 14:6 ESV
4 John 6:68-69 ESV
5 John 1:7 ESV
6 John 16:13 ESV

Categories
Uncategorized

And Handwringing Is Not a Strategy

OK, tell me if this rings a bell. You’ve gathered with the flock—whether at Sunday morning church service or your weeknight small group—and someone begins bemoaning studies about declining church attendance, the rise of “nones” (people with no specific religious identity), or some other shock journalism about Christianity in America. We shake our heads and feel bad about it, and ultimately disburse, somehow content to feel good about having felt bad. Of course, we don’t like to hear bad news, especially regarding the “good news,” but disappointing information is not an endpoint; if anything, it is a launch point into action. And handwringing is not a strategy.

When the 12 spies sent out by Moses returned from the promised land with sensationalist reports of powerful opposition and fortified cities, only two—Joshua and Caleb—renounced retreat and advocated advance: “Do not be afraid of the people of the land . . . The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”1 When the entire Israelite army froze in fear of one Philistine warrior, Goliath, David alone “ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”2 “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty,”3 announced the young shepherd to the arrogant adonis. What did all three—Joshua, Caleb, and David—share in common? To them, bad news was no reason for paralysis or retreat, but a stirring call to “the obedience that comes from faith.”4

Then what do we learn from these and other stalwarts, these trusting and reliable ones? To what action must we aspire?

When ministry leads you to your persecutors, like Ananias go anyway.5
Bullied when sharing the gospel, like Peter and John speak anyway.6
Before the fiercest of opposition, like Stephen stand anyway.7
Amid the most discouraging news, like a city on a hill shine anyway.8
Before your enemies who hate you, as Jesus exhorted us love anyway.9
Though we cannot see our God, in faith believe anyway.10
Though uncertain where God will lead us, like Abraham obey anyway.11

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.—Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Father, You are stronger and wiser than any opposition or threats that can rise up against me. Strengthen me to trust and obey You, even amid opposition, for “You are my hope; Lord God, You are my confidence.”12 In Christ I pray. Amen.

1 Numbers 14:9 NIV
2 1 Samuel 17:48 NIV
3 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV
4 Romans 1:5 NIV
5 Acts 9:10-19
6 Acts 4:18-20
7 Acts 7:1-60
8 Matthew 5:14
9 Matthew 5:43-45
10 Hebrews 11:3
11 Hebrews 11:8
12 Psalm 71:5 NASB