Isaiah V: Selfish

Isaiah V

…everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made. (Isaiah 43:7 ESV)

Selfish

King John (the first and only British King with that name) is remembered for two reasons… being a villain in the tales of Robin Hood, and signing the Magna Carta.  The Magna Carta is a foundational legal document that, in effect, places the Kings of England under the Law, instead of outside of it.

Pretty good and important concept.

But it might not mean what we think it means.

We are not all equal before traffic courts… my seven-year-old granddaughter is not able to drive a car.  We are not all equal before (very) local bedtime laws.  My bedtime was not the same as my thirteen-year-old son.  We are not all equal in military situations.  I am not allowed to drive an M-1 Abrams Battle Tank, even though I am SURE I would be great!

And God is absolutely able to do things that we must not.

Here, God proclaims that He has made the universe, and particularly His people,  for His own glory.  For Himself.  He gets the credit, the praise, and the wonder.  This is even the reason He brought His Son into the world to save sinners, defeat sin, and fix the broken universe.  For HIS glory.

If I claimed that sort of thing, I would be selfish, egotistical, and maybe even dangerous.

But God is not selfish, egotistical, or dangerous.

He is the one true living God… and both the universe AND His people are His.

We therefore get to aim our praise, our worship, and our glory-giving pretty high.  And when we do that, we are accurate.

Praise Jesus.  Honor Jesus.  Glorify Jesus.

Isaiah IV: Old Fashioned

Isaiah IV

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18,19 ESV)

Old Fashioned

I am old-fashioned.  I prefer card catalogues in libraries.  If I could use two tin cans with a wire, instead of my cell phone, I would.  ChatGPT scares me, my smart TV intimidates me, and while GPS is useful, I still like to hold an actual map.

But life and time mean that things change.

It feels natural to me to cling to the old ways.  I easily mistrust new, so called improvements.  Being Amish would hold a certain appeal to me, except that I DO like buttons.

But in this key verse in Isaiah, God tells me that He does new things.

Specifically, God is announcing that the Messiah was NEW.  But He implies more than that.

Rather than simply, blindly, and thoughtlessly clinging to the old ways, God announces that HE is the change agent of the universe.  Yes, things change, but new things, really new things, we are encouraged to see that new things are ALSO under His authority.

Loving old things might be fine… but when I remember that God is beyond my time-constraints, beyond my knowledge, beyond my understanding… I can also embrace valuable and helpful and true new things when I encounter them.  When they are valuable, helpful, and true.

New ideas about social justice perhaps.  New ideas about economics, perhaps.  New ideas about the Kingdom of God, perhaps.

New ideas about Grace: absolutely.

Isaiah III: Completeness

Isaiah III

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:5,6 ESV)

Confusing Completeness

How can a child be the Father?

How can one born be everlasting?

How can a counselor be a prince?

It would be confusing if these words and phrases were describing a human being.  But no, they are describing the wonderful Messiah.  Confusing to our small minds, but necessary in God’s economy.  Unclear to our limited consciences, but necessary in God’s plans.  Hard to grasp in our faulty thought-processes, but necessary in God’s knowledge.

Sometimes, the more we understand something, the less amazing it becomes to us.  But not so with Christ Jesus. The more these words, names, and descriptions are absorbed by our minds, the more shocked, amazed, and humbled we can become.

Perhaps God did not use these words merely to make His Son better known to us… but perhaps God used these words ALSO to shock us, to amaze us, and to draw us into worship.

Isaiah II: Immanuel

Isaiah II

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)

Immanuel

My name means twin, although I am not.  I have seen tall people nicknamed, “Shorty.”  I have heard old men called, “Kid.” Poor fathers are still called, “Dad,” and insecure leaders are often referred to as, “boss.”

But the Messiah’s name really fit.

Immanuel, God with us, is the perfect name for that virgin’s son, that sign, that necessary savior.

Christ Jesus was not simply a wise prophet.  He was God with us.

Christ Jesus was not merely a suffering servant.  He was God with us.

Christ Jesus was not only a miracle-worker.  He was God with us.

What a sign!  What a Savior!  What a God… with us!

Isaiah I: Hear

Isaiah I

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken.  (Isaiah 1:1 ESV)

Hear

My dog allows himself to be distracted.  It is why we do not let him off his leash in the backyard.  Birds tweet at him, probably mocking him.  Other dogs are barking at him, or at least barking in his hearing-range.  The wind whispers, or here in Kansas, roars at his perked up ears.  And maybe even memories of PAST sounds haunt his walnut brain.

And when I speak, he often does not hear me.

But he should.  Because I usually have good things to tell him. (Come and eat!) I sometimes have words of safety for him. (Look out!  There is a car!) I even might have words of affection for him, to warm his heart. (You are a good boy.)

But foolishly, arrogantly, ignorantly, he does not hear me.

God speaks to us, too.

And while I do understand general revelation, and the Spirit’s voice through God’s people, God speaks most clearly, most loudly, most personally, and most poignantly through His Word, the Bible.

Through prophets like Isaiah.  Through the written words of Scripture.  Through the indisputable and clear and necessary and wonderful Word of God.

Isaiah is the first Big Prophet in the Bible, the first one with his writing gathered in one place, the first one with a book named after him.

And HE says, listen to God.

It is good advice.

Song of Songs II: One Love

Song of Songs II

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. (Song of Songs 8:6 ESV)

One Love

Sometimes we overthink things.  For instance, we seem to find value in claiming that many kinds of love exist.  Yes, the Greek language uses (at least) three words to describe love.  But that does NOT mean they are different loves.

Merely different manifestations of love. 

Love is total focus, service, adoration, and affection for a beloved.

We might love our dog differently than we love our best friend.  But within the boundaries of both relationships, our love is focused, service-aimed, adoring, and affectionate.

In this verse, near the end of the Song of Songs, we see the female beloved describing her love for her shepherd.   The human actors in this drama.  But every word mimics the love that Christians get to have for our Savior, Jesus.

Love that overcomes death, and goes beyond death.

Love that requires (and enjoys) FULL focus, fierce focus, jealous (in a good way) focus.

Love that is fiery and passionate, learned only from the love of God.

It IS a good song! And teaches us about love.

Song of Songs I: Superlatives

Song of Songs I

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. (Song of Songs 1:1 ESV)

Superlative

King of Kings, Very God of Very God, Holy of Holies, Vanity of Vanities… and Song of Songs.

When the Bible uses such superlatives, it is meant to make us notice.  Not just a King, but the KING OF KINGS… and here, not just a Song, but the SONG OF SONGS.

In this book, we see two relationships intertwining.  We see a love story between a man and a woman, and a love story between the Messiah and God’s people.

Maybe the two most important social relationships on earth.

The Apostle Paul ties marriage and the church together, using the example of the one to teach us about the other, and vice versa.  And this Song of Songs does the same thing.

Out of all the relationships that we see or experience, these two are the biggest.  Of course, not everyone is married, nor is there any condemnation of that state in this song.  Instead, this song displays both loves in obvious and desirable ways. 

But the BIGGEST relationship… the Relationship of Relationships… is found in this song that shows us our shepherd, our savior, our Messiah loving us.

Completely.  Without limitation.  Unabashedly. Passionately. Sacrificially.  With focus, intention, and power.

It is indeed a good song.  It is indeed the Song of Songs.

Ecclesiastes III: The Guy

Ecclesiastes III

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV)

The Guy

It is important to know who the key individual is in most situations.  In politics, it might be the person who can gain you the most votes.  In sports, it might be the person with the most skill.  In a family, it might be the father.  In a business it might be the manager.

In the universe, it is God.

The only way to safely, successfully, and meaningfully live life is to have a particular relationship with God.  Everyone has a relationship with God, of course.  Whether they believe in Him or not.  But without the relationship that comes through Christ Jesus, your relationship with God is a dangerous one, one wrought with failure, and an empty one.

There are a number of ways to describe that right kind of relationship with God.  Here, the verse says that the way to have the right kind of relationship with God comes from fearing Him, and obeying Him.  But those choices and actions only can happen through the Messiah, Jesus. 

He points out Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” (John 14:6 ESV) 

God IS the most important individual in the universe.  And the way to HIM is Jesus.

Ecclesiastes II: What Time Is It?

Ecclesiastes II

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV)

What Time Is It?

One of my favorite toys was a red and blue plastic globe, with a few particularly shaped holes in it.  Those holes lined up with plastic shapes.  One shape per hole.  One hole per shape.

I do not remember playing with it when I was very young.

But I enjoyed it a lot when I was a cynical teenager.  I spent far too much time attempting to fit the wrong shapes in the wrong holes.

Ignoring this verse, I have also spent too much time attempting to fit events, choices, responsibilities, and activities in the wrong time hole.

God is the master time-keeper.  He knows, because He created the universe, when it is time for me to act, and time for me to wait.  He knows, because He loves me, when it is time for me to succeed, and time for me to fail.  He knows, because He upholds every atom and every second, when it is time for me to inhale, and time for me to exhale.

Jesus knew this.  He despaired in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He wept when seeing Jerusalem during His last entry.  He also wept when Lazarus, His best friend, died. 

But Jesus trusted His Father… His Father’s plans… His Father’s timing.  All the way through the Via Delarosa, Calvary, the full tomb, the empty time, His ascension, and His crowing as King.

We get to trust that keeper-of-time, too.

Ecclesiastes I: New

Ecclesiastes I

…and there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV)

New

In 7th grade, 8th grade, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade, I submitted what was basically the same paper as a major project each year.  The skeleton remained the same, even though the meat on the bones had some variation.  The paper wandered from a term paper about the solar system, to a discussion of the government agency, NASA. 

There was apparently nothing new in my typewriter.

But the Preacher was not thinking about my lazy writing habits.  Or my clever use of time.  Instead, it seems to me that he was arguing against our human devotion to new things.  To better things.  To the improvement of things.

When there is nothing new under the sun.

If we seek new things, the place to look is beyond the sun, beyond the earth, beyond the physical world.

God is always new.  Somehow, God also never changes.  But our encounters with Him, our learning about Him, our relationship with Him, unless we are lazy, always brings the New.

His mercy is new every morning.

His forgiveness is new every sin.

His power is newly revealed constantly.

His love is newly understood as we live out our calendrical lives.

Seeking something new?  God is the answer.

Proverbs VIII: Young and Old

Proverbs VIII

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)

Young and Old

I did not start depositing $100.00 a month when I was 16, to allow the savings to grow and add the magic of compound interest. 

It is one of my life’s regrets.

But is it too late, now?

Financial advisors would agree that it is regrettable that I did not start this while I was young.  But it is still better to start at 55 than to not do it at all.  And perhaps even better to begin at 65, and save for a few years, than to throw up my hands and say, “It is not worth it.”

Even more so when it comes to learning about God’s way.

Perhaps because ‘when we are old’ might refer to the years of eternity that we will be ‘not departing.’  Perhaps because even a day of following the Lord’s way is like a thousand years in His sight.  Perhaps because following God’s way actually continues to be learned all the way through our lives, no matter when we begin!

Maybe we can start investing again, today.

Proverbs VII: Strange Mercy

Proverbs VII

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13 ESV)

Strange Mercy

Our society encourages us to hide our faults, our mistakes, and particularly our sins.

If we fail, we blame others, rather than pay any price ourselves.  If we err, we deny, rather than face shame.  If we are not up to any task, we find shortcuts, rather than admit we need help.

If we sin, we do not want anyone to know, lest the vultures descend.

But God’s way is not like that. And God’s way is better!

God’s way teaches us to admit our failures, and seek HIS and HIS people’s help.  God’s way teaches us to display our shortcomings, and therefore encourage others.  God’s way teaches us to make our sins public (sometimes VERY public) so that His grace can be even MORE public!

Mercy is a rare and strange thing… but in God’s economy is the basic currency.

We might not be very merciful, yet, towards each other.  But God is always merciful to His people.

Proverbs VI: One Friend

Proverbs VI

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 ESV)

One Friend

Jesus really IS in the Old Testament.

The special friend mentioned in this proverb is not simply a really really really good and rare friend.  The author is not saying, “hey, even friends might not be enough… unless you have a SPECIAL best friend.”

If that were the case, this would be a silly proverb.  “Friends don’t help, unless they do.” Is not worth a bumper sticker, let alone a Bible verse.

No… this is a proverb that points to Jesus.

Friends ARE good.  They can help.  But they do not guarantee solution.  Because they (we) are ‘only’ human.

But, oh, we have a Friend!

The Messiah does not lead to ruin.  The Messiah does not fail.

Because He fixes the ONE problem that ALWAYS ends in ruin:  Sin.

We need that friend.

Proverbs V: The Loving Boss

Proverbs V

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9 ESV)

The Loving Boss

God did not make humans to be robots.

Yes, He is sovereign, but we are not automatons, following a programing set before the foundation of the world.  Our lives are not like some shockingly amazing Rube Goldberg machine, with marbles following paths, knocking down pre-set dominos, launching small objects along pre-measured arcs of flight, concluding with a satisfying PLOP of a completed Mousetrap-like ending.

God’s amazing universal and local plans actually include and account for our hearts, our desires, and our plans.  He does this somehow in a way that does NOT take away from His power and sovereignty.  In fact, His planning in this way (FAR beyond my ability to plan!) shows His love for His creation and His people.

So relax.  So act boldly, in faith and knowledge, trying to think HIS thoughts after Him.

And He will connect ALL the dots… bounce ALL the balls… balance the dominoes… and bring His people Home.

Just as He planned all along.

Proverbs IV: Everything

Proverbs IV

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. (Proverbs 16:4 ESV)

Everything

God is not like me.

I spend a lot of my time putting out fires.  I have plans, to be sure… and sometimes they work out ok.  But things always happen that are not according to my plans.  External things like weather and the economy, and internal things like my attitudes and errors.

My best laid plans go oft astray.

But God’s plans are supreme, complicated, and bigger than I can imagine.

Even the wicked, His enemies, somehow are in His plans.

I do not fully comprehend how this works.  Certainly, God does not create evil.  But He is smarter than I am, stronger than I am, wiser than I am, and simply MORE than I am.

He does not wring His hands in heaven over His failed plans.  Because His plans work.

Think about some obvious examples in Scripture.  Jesus’ death on the cross.  Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt.   Jeremiah lamenting down in his pit.

I may not understand it… but I am glad He is that big.

Proverbs III: Honesty and Godliness

Proverbs III

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. (Proverbs 11:1 ESV)

Honesty and Godliness

God’s Laws make His character plain.

Politicians might claim to be honest, but we often see evidence of their twisting of the truth, even Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Parents might intend to be honest, but often practical considerations lead to shading the truth.

Roadmaps might be accurate and honest, but often mislead, misguide, and have mistakes.

But God not only PRACTICES honesty.  He IS honest.

His Word is reliable, accurate, full of truth, helpful, dependable, and necessary.

As is God Himself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And He delights when we follow His Law in major things and minor things.

Honesty in business dealings is an example of this.

Being Godly is more than having a sweet face while looking towards heaven.  Being Godly is more than having kind intentions.  Being Godly is more than Sunday activities.

Being Godly, literally, is being like God.

In the noticeable daily things like being fair in business, honest in our dealings, and imitating God whenever we have the chance.

And when we fail, we have Jesus’ perfection counting as ours.  When we try, we have Jesus’ example and power pushing us correctly.  When we make it in those little things, we have Jesus to thank for it.

Jesus is how we can be Godly.

Proverbs II: Leadership

Proverbs II

By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. (Proverbs 8:15,16 ESV)

Leadership

In this verse, Wisdom is speaking. 

And Wisdom claims to be the number one qualification for good leadership, governance, and ordering society.

When we choose to follow our leaders, remember that.  Search for, train up, and BE leaders who are wise.  Nothing else matters.

Wisdom is not good economic training, or effective relationship with allies, or excellent public speaking ability.  Wisdom is found by asking, “What does GOD say about this?” regarding every issue… no matter how small or significant.

Leaders lead, rulers rule, and sovereigns are sovereign by this, and by this alone.  It is a matter, then, of whether any leaders choose to follow Him, or to go their own way and CALL it God’s.

One way is Wisdom.  The other is foolish.

Proverbs I: Wisdom

Proverbs I

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10 ESV)

What is Wisdom

Wisdom is not the result of age, experience, intelligence, or education.

Children can be as wise as the elderly.  Men can be as wise as women.  The wealthy can be as wise as the poor. 

Wisdom , simply, is found and displayed whenever we decide to do anything GOD’S way, instead of our way.  In fact, the more clever we think we are, the harder it might be to choose God’s way.  The more experienced we are, the easier it is to assume our way is better than God’s.

That is why the fear of the Lord is the way to wisdom.  In fact, fearing the Lord IS wisdom!  Not only the path to find it, but the very thing itself.

Stop trying to be worldly-wise… stop searching for common sense… stop confusing encyclopedic knowledge with wisdom.

Wisdom is following God.  Not just as the way to Heaven (as grand as that is…)  But in every aspect of every part of every day.

Psalm V: Burdens

PSALM V

Burdens

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; (Psalm 55:22 ESV)

Many years ago, we purchased a pop-up camper from a clever friend.  He had constructed a set of moveable cross-bars to support the part of the camper that stuck out on either end… the part of the camper in which we would sleep.

Over the years, other mechanical alterations made those supports unnecessary, and I finally got rid of them.

But now, to my eye, the camper looks insecure.

Even my granddaughter recently asked, “Will that stay UP, Pop?”

I assured her that it could sustain her slight weight.  But in the back of my mind, I wondered if it would sustain MY weight!

The larger the burden, the more sustaining power is needed.

And we have some heavy burdens.

God is strong enough to sustain us, no matter the weight of our sorrows, our fears, or our mistakes.

He holds them all up with His Son, Jesus Christ.

And that is sustaining!

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Psalm IV: Maker

PSALM IV

For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13 ESV)

 Maker

Once, in elementary school, I told a lie for show and tell.  Desperate to have something interesting to present, I grabbed a simple magnetic stud-detector from my dad’s tool shelf.  A small plastic box held a magnet on a pivot.  When near the metal often found in wall studs, the magnet would turn and point out the stud.

I brought it (which was fine),  and claimed I had MADE it (which was not!).

But the Q and A following my demonstration soon displayed my dishonesty.  I could not explain how the device worked.  I could not describe how the detector was constructed.  I knew nothing of its inner workings.

God is our maker.  And He understands the workings of our inward parts.  Human medical knowledge has made strides through the centuries, but much of what we claim to know, we are guessing.  And ‘inward parts’ might also refer to our thoughts, emotions, and psyches.  We do not comprehend those parts, either.

But God does!

He is THE expert on His creation.  He is THE maker, and the one who understands.

And He is not some soul-less computer with huge databanks.  He is the One who loves His creation.  The One who understands us so well that He knew what was necessary to fix us when we broke. 

He saved us.