Readiness

• I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.  (Nehemiah 4:22-23)
• In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover. (Exodus 12:11)
• Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.  
  (Luke 12:35-36)  

The Bible has a lot to say about readiness, being prepared, watchful, alert, sober-minded; even to the point (as in the verse from Nehemiah above) of sleeping fully dressed with a weapon at their side.  The image is of a soldier, fully alert, armed and ready at the first hint of danger or attack.  The Exodus passage points to another kind of readiness - a sense of urgency and waiting, ready to walk whenever and wherever.  Then, in the Luke passage, we read the description of a servant, always on stand-by, waiting expectantly for his master's return, ready to attend to his master's needs.  


These are all apt descriptions of a Christian disciple.  We are to be prepared and watchful, armed and waiting, listening and serving.  What does that look like in practical terms?  Obviously, we are not armed to the teeth ready to go to war!  Many of us have never served in war-time as soldiers or lived through a miraculous deliverance from slavery in a foreign land like that of the Israelites in Exodus.  


Really?  Are we sure about that?  Have you ever had someone on your mind for no apparent reason - can't seem to stop thinking about them?  The Lord may be calling you into battle - to intercede for your friend even if you don't know the details of the struggle.  Has your friend or loved one been in the middle of a potentially life-changing decision, crisis or moral dilemma - a crossroads where the wrong choice could result in serious consequences?  To pray at this moment is to enter into battle.  Or have you been the beneficiary of such prayers?  Have you been delivered from slavery to a sin or addiction that made you feel as if you were living in a foreign, strange "land"?  


We can't see the war that is being waged, the forces battling for and against us, with our human eyes.  The apostle Paul tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood; but the battle is no less real, no less "deadly".  Don't kid yourself - it IS a matter of life and death; our enemy is  prowling around, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) while our God is calling us to choose life. That's why we're given so many reminders and descriptors of readiness, preparedness and watchfulness.



Like Nehemiah, even as we prepare to sleep, we lie down wearing our spiritual "clothes" and "weapons". This "attire" is described by Paul in Ephesians 6:10-20.  We wear our salvation as a helmet protecting our head (our mind, our thoughts, words, imaginations and sight); our righteousness is as a breastplate protecting our heart, the very core of who we are; God's truth is belted around us, holding everything else in place.  Our feet are "wearing" readiness - readiness that is given to us by the Gospel - readiness to walk in the power of that Gospel wherever our Lord leads.  The last two items are at our side and in our hands - the sword and the shield: the Word of God and faith in, of and through our Lord.  These items of warfare are wielded offensively and defensively.  Faith is our shield, our protection against the flaming darts of the evil one (Eph 6:16) - those attempts by the enemy to assault our convictions, our right choices, our testimony and beliefs.  The Word of God - the sword of the Spirit - is the most powerful and, if you notice, the only weapon.  God's word needs to be part of us.  Spend time reading, listening, absorbing the Scriptures.  

• For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12)
• All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

So, yes, we are to be alert, prepared and ready to respond to God's call.  Our preparedness is not left to us to figure out.  It is God's work in us, for us, and through us  - with our cooperation, of course.  He allows us to participate with him in his work on earth.  May God's kingdom come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Reading my Lenten devotional this morning, I was reminded of the prayer attributed to St. Francis, St. Francis' Breastplate.  Growing up in the Episcopal church, I remember (laboriously) singing the hymn version of this prayer; but the words are truly wonderful and worth meditating on.  


As I reread the entire prayer this morning, I was struck by a "new favorite" verse:

I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.

And an "old favorite" verse:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I've included the entire prayer in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  I encourage you to take some time to read and savor these beautiful and powerful words.

I bind unto myself today

The strong Name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spicèd tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;

I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power

Of the great love of the cherubim;

The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,

The service of the seraphim,

Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,

The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,

All good deeds done unto the Lord,

And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even,

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar my course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours,

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,

Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Exodus

God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.’”  (Exodus 6:2-8, emphasis mine)


There are times in the Scriptures when God really seems to assert himself.  He's always holy, always God - all powerful, all knowing, all seeing God.  But there are still times when it seems as if he stands tall, puts his foot down and says, Listen to me; this is who I am; I am God.  This passage in Exodus in one of those times. Notice how many times he reveals or identifies himself.  Do you suppose Moses was flat out, on his face in the presence of all that holiness and awesomeness?  Remember the call of the prophet in Isaiah 6.  His encounter with God's holiness left him completely undone:  And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”  (Isaiah 6:5)  We would do well to spend more time reflecting on passages like these. We forget that the God we serve is a fearsome, holy and awesome God.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  (Hebrews 10:31)  Holy fear, reverence and awe are things we are not well acquainted with in the 21st century.  We throw around the word 'awesome' until it loses its meaning, its impact.  


God's words to Moses as he proclaims his identity, his character, his glory, are words of deliverance, redemption, promise and relationship on a level never before known.  Israel is being delivered in fulfillment of God's covenant promise to the patriarchs, the fathers of God's chosen people.  God knew the suffering of his people.  He knew their oppression, the brokenness of their spirits.  Exodus 2:25:  "God saw the people of Israel - and God knew."


Don't think for a minute that God doesn't see your brokenness, your suffering.  He sees and he knows. This God - the Great I AM, El Shaddai, God Almighty, Yahweh, the LORD, the Almighty, Everlasting God - sees and knows.  He will bring you out of your slavery to sin, deliver you from whatever is oppressing you, redeem you, make you his own and be your God.  

The LORD is my light and my salvation; 

whom shall I fear?  

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; 

of whom shall I be afraid?  (Psalm 27:1)

But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; 

in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!  (Psalm 141:8 ESV)

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.  

O my God, in you I trust; 

let me not be put to shame; 

let not my enemies exult over me.  

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; 

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.  

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; 

teach me your paths.  

Lead me in your truth and teach me, 

for you are the God of my salvation; 

for you I wait all the day long.  (Psalm 25:1-5)

Unique

The author of the Lenten devotional I read today wrote, "Nobody can tell us what our unique relationship with God will be like."  How true that is; yet reading the words gave me an "aha" moment.  I wonder, do we lean towards believing that each one's relationship with God has to fit into some biblical cookie cutter? Does that belief lead us into judgment or criticism of another believer because their relationship doesn't fit some perceived mold?


Please don't misunderstand - God's word is THE foundation and the truth that guides and shapes our lives. The scriptures are our plumb line.  We are instructed to test the spirits, to use our God-given discernment and not accept or follow a "wolf in sheep's clothing".  We are to weigh the teaching we sit under against God's holy word.  There are biblical instructions and boundaries for our own good and protection.  


God knows our hearts, our weaknesses and strengths.  He sees, in each one of his children, that true identity, or self, that he has created - the person he has called us to be.  He is always working in us to clear away the "debris" that is preventing our true selves from coming forth.  He wants to heal the wounds of that false self we so often live with/behind - that side of us we show to the world, fearful that if people really knew us they'd turn away.


As God looks at us through his eyes of love, he is calling forth that beautiful person he created.  Like Lazarus being called forth from the tomb still wrapped in his stinky grave cloths, Jesus calls to us to come forth and live as the child of the King that we are.  The ways in which he ministers his love, grace and healing to each of us is unique, just as each one of us is unique in all of creation.  What a blessing to know that our loving God isn't expecting us to fit into some kind of pre-set mold or pattern for growth as a Christian but instead reaches out to each one according to the needs and condition of our hearts.  He is oh so gentle and compassionate, tender and merciful, always loving as he works in us revealing his glorious creation to the world -- YOU.


How great is our God!


Thanks to Trinity School of Ministry for their 2012 Lenten Devotional  http://www.tsm.edu/content/lenten_devotional_2012

Tossing and Turning

What keeps you awake at night?  Tossing and turning, restless, maybe shedding a few tears?  The nighttime seems to be the worst for bringing up all the stresses and worries; our minds become full of anxious thoughts, what-if's.  Our imaginations, seemingly on over-drive, can come up with the worst possible scenarios.  Those hours of sleeplessness, worry and anxiety are so lonely; everyone else is sleeping peacefully; there's no one to talk to, to bring reason to those "midnight crazies".  

But there is One who sees our tossing and turning.  Consider these words from Psalm 56:8:  You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.  Are they not in your book?  When David wrote these words he was in fear for his life, under siege.  He was apparently afraid to the point of sleeplessness and tears.  This mighty warrior was hanging on to his faith in God to keep from going under - from giving in completely to his great fear in this awful predicament.  David reminds himself again and again that he can and will trust God.  This I know, that God is for me. (verse 9)  

Not only is God on our side but he is close enough to see - and count - our tossings and turnings in the middle of the night, to see our tears, to put them in his bottle.  Our tears are so precious to God, they're not wasted.  He doesn't look at our tears as foolishness or weakness; he sees and knows the depth of our pain or fear and tenderly responds to our crying.

The next time you're struggling through a long, lonely, fearful night turn to Psalm 56.  Remind yourself, as David did, that God is with you and you can trust him with those things that are keeping you from sleep - stealing your peace.  Read the words over and over until they become your prayer.

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;

all day long an attacker oppresses me;

my enemies trample on me all day long,

for many attack me proudly.

When I am afraid,

I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can flesh do to me?

All day long they injure my cause;

all their thoughts are against me for evil.

They stir up strife, they lurk;

they watch my steps,

as they have waited for my life.

For their crime will they escape?

In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

You have kept count of my tossings;

put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?

Then my enemies will turn back

in the day when I call.

This I know, that God is for me.

In God, whose word I praise,

in the LORD, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

I must perform my vows to you, O God;

I will render thank offerings to you.

For you have delivered my soul from death,

yes, my feet from falling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.

What If? More Thoughts on Joseph

Continuing my thoughts on Joseph's story, I can't help but wonder what it must have been like for him to experience all he went through.  He fell far and he fell hard -- from the favored son, to the son thrown into the pit and sold off to be a servant in Egypt; from being part of a large family to being alone in a strange land.  He spent 13 long years in obscurity, in loneliness, and, I would imagine, in doubt and confusion as to what his future could possibly look like.  Would he die as an old man in this foreign prison, never to see his family again?  


When his reputation as an interpreter of dreams landed him the "dream job" in Egypt, what must he have felt?  He'd already been put in a position of responsibility in Potiphar's house but had another great fall from grace as a result of the deception and false accusations of his master's wife, a woman scorned.  Could David believe that this time things would work in his favor?  His track record was pretty shaky!


He had obviously learned a lot in all those years of servitude and imprisonment - learned where to place his faith and trust.  His life had been redeemed, from the prison to prominence:  paraded through the streets as second-in-command, people bowing down to him and honoring him.  When was this going to come crashing down around him?  How could he help but wonder?  What if he hadn't heard God correctly and mis-interpreted those dreams?  What if, instead of speaking God's words, he spoke his own?  David serves Pharaoh through the seven years of plenty, storing up grain in the storehouses and preparing for the seven years of famine yet to come.  What if the plentiful years continued and he ended up with storehouses full of rotting grain?  What if he looked like a fool, or worse yet, a con man who wormed his way into Pharaoh's good graces?  


When we know the end of the story we can easily forget that these are real-life people who had to live out their experiences day by day, trusting in their faithful God to fulfill his promises.  They were just like us - often filled with worry and doubt, wondering how it would all end up.  But because Joseph and the other heroes of our faith ARE just like us, we can draw faith from their stories.  We need to remind ourselves that they probably did struggle with doubt and questions but God, again and again, proved himself faithful.  The seven years of famine happened just as God had foretold and the people were provided for because of God's provision through Joseph.  And that was only the beginning!  We can't miss the bigger picture, the greater blessing:  God's provision for his chosen people, his guiding hand as he moves his people into the land of Egypt and then through deliverance from  Egypt into the promised land.


And that story continues, one that we can't begin to see or imagine.  God's hand has brought us deliverance from the slavery of sin and into the promised land of his Kingdom.  Even when we wonder how our story will turn out, even when the darkness might seem to be "winning", our God is faithful and is bringing to completion his work on this earth.  We are part of that story.

Why do you say, O Jacob, 

and speak, O Israel, 

“My way is hidden from the LORD, 

and my right is disregarded by my God”? 

Have you not known? Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He does not faint or grow weary; 

his understanding is unsearchable. 

He gives power to the faint, 

and to him who has no might he increases strength. 

Even youths shall faint and be weary, 

and young men shall fall exhausted; 

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 

they shall run and not be weary; 

they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:27; Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)

Dreams

Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.  (Genesis 37:5-8 ESV)


The story of Joseph is fascinating.  Beyond the obvious trials and tribulations, successes and failures, sin and redemption aspects of the story are more subtle insights.  As is true with Scripture, we can read the same stories multiple times and discover, on our latest reading, something never before noticed. Consider the passage above and the very familiar story of Joseph.  


Joseph's brothers saw him as the spoiled, favorite son of their father and they hated him.  As if that weren't enough, he relates to them two dreams which depict his brothers bowing down to him.  Talk about adding insult to injury!  We know what happens next - they've had all they can stand and plot to be rid of their annoying brother.  Flash forward 11 years and Joseph is once again dealing with dreams - this time as interpreter for two fellow inmates in an Egyptian prison.  It earns him a reputation which eventually is reported to Pharaoh.  Joseph is called before the ruler to interpret his dreams.  


In both of these instances (the prisoners and Pharaoh) there is one striking difference between Joseph's responses in Egypt and his dream-telling as a teenager in Canaan.  At 17, Joseph's intention seems to be his own exaltation; as a much-humbled adult being held captive in Egypt, his intention is to glorify God, to listen for God's interpretation of these dreams.  The result?  Joseph doesn't seek his own glory yet God raises him up to be the second most powerful man in Egypt.


The lesson to us is clear on one level but there may be another message that can be overlooked.  Joseph's dreams concerning his brothers were, indeed, prophetic words from God.  As the story unfolds, his brothers do end up bowing before their brother, the high-ranking Egyptian official.  But perhaps it wasn't something that was meant to be publicly revealed at the time Joseph had the dream.  God had, indeed, given Joseph a glimpse into his plans but Joseph ran ahead of God, perhaps trying to make this glimpse of the future into a present reality. When have we been given a glimpse into God's plans only to jump in and try to shape, control or manage what we perceive to be our destiny?  Have we ever been tempted to lord it over our friends, family or associates if God is leading us into a position of leadership or responsibility?


God is sovereign and that sovereignty is a great mystery.  His plans and purposes are perfect. His timing is, indeed HIS timing -- not ours.  Joseph suffered as a result of his brothers' sinful response - their hatred and mistreatment.  But the years of suffering and imprisonment appeared to have had not only a humbling effect on Joseph but apparently shifted his focus from himself and his glory to the glory of God and obedience to his Lord. In Genesis 45:6, Joseph states, "It was not you who sent me here, but God."  What man intended for evil, God used for good, working his purposes and plans on a far grander scale than anyone could have imagined --- most especially, Joseph. 


In Matthew 23:12, Jesus says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  Wait on the Lord, watch for his guidance.  What may seem to be an interminable wait, may very well be God's time of preparation and training for us in advance of a new ministry or opportunity.  

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, 

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make straight your paths.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)