Lobbyists of Lies

Nehemiah 6:19 ESV

“Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.”

After struggling with all your might, you finally crawl to the top of the crest and find another crest to climb. What was supposed to be over seems to have matured into a battle as deadly or more so than the first. For fifty years biblical Christians have sought to overturn Roe v. Wade, and it happened. Such was the jubilant high that was felt at the beginning of the summer. By the end of summer, it was becoming apparent that the cause of life was going to remain a challenge for the faithful ministers of God’s grace. At the beginning of Spring leaders of one side were threatening the Judicial branch and now the other side is making derisive comments about the constitution. The times are dark indeed!

Nehemiah had just finished the wall. He had suffered threats and provocations. Extraordinary effort and novel solutions were required but the wall was complete and he was left short of people to fill it! No longer were his efforts a point of derision and mocking, the little project in Jerusalem was a danger to those in charge. It wasn’t finished but it was close. Threats, rumors, and planned hostility, were not enough so new lines of attack were chosen. Many in the region weren’t hostile to the work but were “bound by oath” to Tobiah and his cause. And so, they began the work of subverting the people. Lobbying workers and supervisors against the work. Subverting the work that still needed accomplished. Nehemiah had just accomplished a great work and now more work was upon him. The spiritual attack had begun as Tobiah’s “good deeds” were recounted. All his counsel was given to the enemy, his wisdom in going out alone to evaluate the wall is showing itself.  The lobbyists and spies in his court then the letter campaign starts!

My roommate in college would often make the comment that “I know God won’t give me more than I can handle. I just wish he didn’t have such a high opinion of me!” (Referencing 1 Corinthians 10:13) Such was his opinion of the temptations, challenges, and ups and downs of life. Like my roommate it is easy to become forlorn at the battles and skirmishes that are allotted to us. Godless Political parties, waning biblical influence, declining morality, all press God’s people to suffer as Lot suffered in Sodom. Tormented by what is being done in the light, not even reserved for darkness! Sodom, Gomorrah, and Gibeah (Judges 19) at least hid their debauchery with the cover of darkness, not paraded through Libraries in broad daylight!

Nehemiah began his journey when he heard of the shame of Jerusalem. “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Neh 1:4) When the scope of the shame comes upon us it is right to be overwhelmed and seek God for wisdom. Yet, as he has been fighting awhile now, he simply persists in the task set before him. Men who he thought were on his side have been bought, others who he thought strong have fled the field, yet he persists in wisdom and discretion. Not taking the bait, he presses himself into the task.

The moral Character of our co-combatants has shown itself as Mormonism has chosen to flee the field of morality to make peace with the “Respect for Marriage Act” and many might choose to flee with them, being bound by oath, to other gods. “For such a time as this” Easter was told, when she feared the moment that lay before her. Like Easter and my friend, it is easy to “wish God didn’t have such a high opinion of me” but to this the question must be asked, “What kind of challenge is worthy of the Sons of God?” What enemies are strong enough to press and push God’s people to reveal the glory that he has sown in them? Did I assume all the “good works God has prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10) were simple and easy?

Let us not grow weary at the moment. Neither let us rejoice in the battle but in the moment given that we might show the greatness of our king. I rejoice in my brothers that gave blood in the coliseum, that left all to pursue the lost in India and China, that died on boats bound for unknown places, that was their time, this is ours. Brothers and Sisters do not lose heart at the battles you find yourself in. God’s children are made for these times to bring glory to their father in heaven. No matter how old or young you are until your work on earth is done and you are called home this is your time.

Corum Deo

People Who Know

Daniel 11:32 ESV

“but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”

The differentiating mark between those that fall to the times and those that don’t is knowledge of God. Daniel is prophesying about the desecration of the temple and the “abomination that makes desolate”. He speaks of the king coming who will “seduce with flattery” winning them over to his side. And so they would fall to the wooing of the wicked king, except for some. Those who “KNOW their God” are not fooled but remain and go on the offensive.

My daily reading brought me into contact with this verse and I was stopped by it. I am not the most up to date on social networks. Yet, even I look and it seems as if another day another Christian celebrity or conservative politician has decided to make peace with the gay revolution. In a devastating turn of events one of the most bipartisan bills is one that is set to destroy marriage and remake our society, called the Respect for Marriage Act, as it removes the Defense of Marriage Act. If it wasn’t so heart breaking and destructive the irony would be humorous.

Watching the deterioration come upon something is agonizing. You start to see the small cracks and fissures. The dirt and grime take its tole and no one seems to be taking needed steps. What is the reason for this break down in society, for the unraveling of moral sanity? Daniel speaks to the specific moment what I believe is applicable to all moments when those who we thought were with us turn tale, knowledge of God. When you know God you resist the false hoods and flattery. You see life, and yourself, as they are. Rightly knowing God helps us see our own depravity and seeing that we hold tighter to God, such that we stand firm.

I loved that part. Stand firm, it is easy for hard headed persons like myself. No change is required just stand where you have always stood and let come what may. This is where the scripture gets teeth, it doesn’t stop at stand firm. Those that KNOW God are not merely hard headed fuddy duddies, they are men who take action. Joining with the men of Issachar in understanding the times and knowing what ought to be done (1 Chronicles 12:32). This kick in the pants is not towards a reckless cavalry charge at the machine guns of WWI but rather wise and deliberate action of God’s people to counter the onslaught.

Men and women who read, study, and meditate on God’s word are those equipped to fight this fight. They are the ones who stand firm as the enemy charges and the ones who know when to mount their own charge in return. Scripture is equally clear that such men do not stand alone, but are in community with others of like character and passion. The enemy does not fear one lone fool charging its position. Yet, the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, the assembly of believers, it is in mass that the most damage to the enemy position is done. Let us gather in mass around God’s word and work to show our selves approved, workman with no need to be ashamed.

Coram Deo

Dangerous Act of Winning

2 Chronicles 25:11

“But Amaziah took courage and led out his people and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 men of Seir.”

It is after our greatest victories that the danger becomes even more pronounced. As Amaziah sent away One hundred thousand men before the battle, he was greatly blessed because he trusted fully in the LORD to win the day. After the overwhelming victory of his army, he immediately falls into idolatry. Bringing fallen God’s back to Jerusalem. Seeing how great he was and how well his army did he decides he needs to pick a fit with his larger, wealthier neighbor to the north. Ignoring Godly and secular council, he takes the field and is defeated, Jerusalem and the temple are open to looting. This has proven to be the case throughout the history of mankind. When Godly men stand and when the day they often quickly stumble into sin around the next corner.

It was hot in the Tennessee courtroom in the summer of 1925. A young teacher was on trial for teaching. His defense was young and bright, his prosecutor was old and past his prime. The trial would come to be known as the Scopes Monkey trial and it would change the trajectory of our nation. The young teacher was found guilty of teaching evolution. The theory of Evolution lost and the biblical representation of creation had won the day. William Jennings Bryant had one the day against Darrow but only in the courtroom. The media had its way and the tide was turned. Through the work of gifted writers like H.L Mencken the “backward ideas” of fundamentalist Christians were ridiculed and maligned to the point that all the cultural engines were set against what had previously been the overwhelming majority opinion. The churches weren’t ready for the scorn of society and many denominations would fold to the pressure.

This last summer Christians were treated to the blessing of the Supreme Court of the United States choosing to remove the unconstitutional Roe and Casey decisions. With this victory they recognized that there was no right to abortion except in the heads of Justices who desired it. The supreme court then pushed the responsibility of legislation back to the states and the congress. It was a huge victory for life and one that had been long in coming. The agents of death knew that the June date for release would not give them enough time to sway public opinion, so one broke all protocol and released the decision early.  (An act that no one wants to investigate, charge, or bring to light who the guilty party was.) Over the elector cycle from August in Kansas to November in Kentucky with multiple places along the way the citizens of the states have sided with the vile and evil practice of abortion. It is harder to tell what is going on with candidates but even here we should note that there was no overwhelming tide of pro-life candidates.

We are in the midst of another Scopes moment. A long-drawn-out battle had been one and the question remains if we will be able to hold the ground that was gained for life. The enemy has reared his head with renewed vigor, will Christians patiently continue to fight for life and the unborn in our laws and our legislatures? Will Christians seek the hearts and souls of those who serve the cause of death in this world? As the American forces approached the Japanese island the defenders fought with ever greater tenacity, giving the American forces an idea of just how hard conquering the island would be. It is going to be hard work defeating sin and death in this country. Let us prepare for the fight ahead.

Coram Deo

Miraculous

John 20:29 ESV

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus was dead and in the grave, all knew it to be true until he wasn’t. Peter and John had run to the tomb to find what the women had said was true and it was. That evening Jesus appeared to ten of the disciples but Thomas was not present. For this glaring offense, not being with the assembly, he is forever known as “doubting Thomas”. The text does not give us a reason for his absence, simply that he was not there and did not believe the group when they testified to what they saw. Christ in his grace and mercy came again, this time while Thomas was present and Thomas true to his word believed. Jesus at the end of this declaration of the reality of Jesus' person pronounces a blessing “on those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

So, who was he blessing? NONE, of the group present with him at that moment qualified. The women who visited the tomb believed upon seeing. The apostles, trained by Jesus for three years, believed when he was in their presence. The “more than five hundred” witnesses that Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 15:6 are all honorable witnesses to what they SAW. I do not say this to undermine their faith or their sacrifice as my brothers and sisters have given and sacrificed more than I probably ever will, but merely wish to point to the reality that they were with Thomas those who believed because of what they saw. Because of what they saw, they were able to testify to the truth of the resurrection in such a way it is an undeniable historical fact, to the reasonable mind, but the unregenerate mind is wholly unreasonable.

Believing without witnessing is hard. Even witnessing the event itself is not proof belief will take hold, as the guards at the tomb prove. How hard is it? It is: raising the dead, turning hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. In short it is impossible without the Spirit of God moving and accomplishing and choosing to use you as the instrument of such blessing. As with John 17:20, where Jesus prays for “those who will believe in me through their word” at this moment he blesses US. We who never saw are blessed by our savior because we believed what they have testified. Because God himself prayed for us and blessed us, and that is a great comfort for me. No secret knowledge, or modern prophecy, can comfort the way the truth that my savior on the night before he was to die for me prayed for me, and the risen Christ blessed me. Now he sits at the right hand of God continuing to do both, but here it is recorded for the last two thousand years my master's blessing of us!

Believing is hard, “repent and be baptized” is hard. Let us not think that through our meager effort we might raise the dead and create disciples. We must pray. We must petition the divine to do that which we cannot. In his gracious mercy he might use our meager efforts. It was his prayers and blessing that have given us hope for eternity, not our own “common sense”, or ability. Do not be discouraged when others do not believe the testimony you bear. Believing is hard. Do not be discouraged when lip service is given, and “repent and be baptized” is jettisoned, submission is hard. Yet, God raises the dead, and through some miracle even came as a babe in the manger. God does hard things. God does impossible things. God is and does the miraculous.

Coram Deo 

Fighting Rust

2 Corinthians 12:15

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

She looked like a Coke label only she was a truck. To be precise she was my truck, a 1962 Ford F100 Short bed, four speed granny low attached to a 1953 292 Y-block we bought from the guy at the dump after I threw a rod in the 302 we had in it, and custom dual exhaust. A faded red truck with white pinstripes and a white top above the cab. She was my first and I had her for fifteen years. Then I looked up and she was just sitting outback rusting. I could not watch it anymore so I sold her. I did not have the money to fix the rust nor the skill to do it myself, so I sold her to a man who did.

Now, I have another truck, this one had the rust fixed before I bought it. It has been mine for seven years and has served my family well. The rust has started taking over again though. The back fenders are showing the tell-tale signs, the cab corners are showing themselves as well, the headliner is sagging and the seats are getting holey. Things have changed. I have no problem watching this truck rust out. It might even be a good thing. The sword fights, flying discs, and rock collecting and distribution do not seem to frustrate me quite as much as they did before. What is the alternative for a truck? Fix the rust and it will start again, it has already been fixed once, it is a battle with entropy and the second law of thermodynamics. I have learned that scrapes and dents on an old truck are a good thing. A vehicle made for work, to haul or pull. I have visited more than one car museum. Long buildings full of shiny pristine car after car. Climate controlled buildings designed for the purpose of preservation.  Never to hear the throaty rumble of a well-tuned engine again.

In Second Corinthians Paul is telling of his love for the church and how he willingly will let himself be spent for the church. There is a great deal to be seen in an old couple that suffered the slings and arrows of life together. Calloused hands and bent backs, youth and strength spent providing for her, and beauty and body spent caring for him and his children. To spend and be spent on that which we love and for that which we were created for is no sad thing. To never be used for that which you were made for is far more depressing than to be used and have the scars and calluses to show for it.

“Why has God made you strong?” is the question I always put to my boys. The Answer is “to protect girls and those weaker than you.” This is normally recited when one of them has decided fighting with his sister is what is needed. However, the other problem is also a rejection of the purpose of their strength. Not only hurting girls, but choosing not to use your strength when it is needed for the protection of others is also a failure of purpose.

It doesn’t take long for the rust to set in. It doesn’t take long for the house to look like a wreck. Would you have it another way? Solomon reminds us that “where there are no Oxen the manger is clean” knowing that often the frustration will often get to us, and we might be so foolish as to wish it weren’t so, but he continues and tells us that “abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” It is not strange, unusual, or even wrong to get frustrated when life gets messy and when you start to tell that you are being spent for something or someone. We were made to work and help work, to spend and be spent, to be of use to our master. What a joy it is to know that God has used you until he calls you home. That we might know when that day comes, we have been used, and abundant crops are brought into the harvest. Do we really want to get to the end and realize we have “a lot left in the tank?”

When it is messy and the rust is showing, keep plowing, Satan’s scared and you're being used! Let us not grow dusty!

John Calvin’s friends petitioned him to stop writing his commentary and rest. He was dying and would not rest. His response “What! Would you have the Lord find me idle when he comes?”

CORAM DEO