January 25-29, 2010

Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars.
The One who leads forth their host by number,
He calls them by name;
Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

I’m hearing the cries, “Oh where, oh where has our trail boss gone?” Sorry to leave you hanging! I trust you have continued your journey in spite of my absence and that you have had a great week. Let’s just take a glance of the territory you covered this week.

On Monday we see that God can change His mind if He desires to. He can even change our appointment with death if He so desires. Hezekiah’s prayer changed God’s initial plan and he was granted a fifteen-year life extension. It would have been great if the end of the story read, “And Hezekiah lived happily ever after and was buried at an old age with his forefathers.” But unfortunately that was not the case. Hezekiah’s response to the mercy of God should be a word of warning to all of us. God’s favor in his life brought him great fame and success. The sad part is that Hezekiah became quite enamored with his “blessings” and they became the object of his boast. There is a danger of flaunting our godly successes and wealth. Whether it is prosperity in physical wealth or a pastor or ministers keeping tally of the number of souls that came to the altar when they preached, making an ostentatious display of our “success” is dangerous business. What’s even sadder is that Hezekiah was okay with God’s promised punishment for his pride. He didn’t bat an eye when God told him what would happen to the next generation because of his folly. As long as it didn’t happen in his lifetime and he was not affected by it, so be it! What a sad epitaph on a godly life!!!

On Tuesday we hear the Father’s heart for His children as He cries out, “Comfort, o comfort My people.” There is a subtle parallel that becomes quite blatant when the light is shed on it. If you remember, King David told us where God’s people find comfort. Think about it for a minute. I’m sure you will remember his famous words regarding this subject.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

Isaiah knew that God’s word spoken by His Spirit, His rod and His staff, breathes freshness into our situations. This is clearly seen in the words God has him speak.

The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:7-8)

Isaiah had experienced what David experienced, the comforting, rejuvenating Word of God! We see this expressed in the New Covenant when the writer of Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is “living and active.” When something is living it has breath in it. The Hebrew word for “comfort” literally means “to breath deeply.” It is not merely a metaphor when I tell you that the Word of God is a breath of fresh air; it is a fact! We cannot live our physical lives without breathing. And at times, we need a deep breath to be able to focus on the more demanding tasks we face. Isaiah’s word to God’s people comes as a cleansing breath that will help them focus in the midst of the great difficulties that surround them.

The source of strength in the “air” they are called to breathe is found in God’s words reminding them of who He is. He formed the earth, continues to birth the stars and name them, and is still the one who keeps the earth in control! Who could possibly be His equal?!?!?

On Wednesday God continues His courtroom drama as He calls Israel to respond to His questioning. He presents the foundation of His right to demand an answer from them as He reminds them of His covenant with Abraham. These people prided themselves in being of descendants of Abraham. God rests His case on the covenant He had with His friend Abraham, leaving them no ground to stand on!!!

God’s promise to Abraham was that someday He would give him “a seed” who would bring the fulfillment of God’s promises. Through Isaiah, God reiterates the promise of this called One who would be worthy of God’s promises and bring them to fruition.

On Thursday we are admonished to listen and look and learn! We would do well to make note of what we are to listen to, what we are to see, and what conclusions we should draw. If we do these things, we are assured of God’s promises:

1. Victory over our enemies
2. A clear path on which to walk
3. Refreshing

Friday is a real eye-opener. God makes it clear that He can use anything or anyone He chooses to bring His will to pass. It doesn’t matter if they are believers or unbelievers! Cyrus, a godless ruler was God’s chosen instrument to bring about His plan. He also makes it very clear that we are foolish to question His decisions and choices. What may seem like the enemy at the moment may very well be a servant of God carrying out His will. It’s kind of like when you clean out a closet or the garage. You have to make a big mess before you can start putting things in order!!!

And so we finish the week somewhat where we began it. God has firmly established that He is God and has the power over all things to do as He chooses. My prayer is that God will open our eyes to see His power at work in our lives, our family’s lives, and our world. Who could possibly be His equal!!!

January 18-23 2010

“In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will assemble the lame, and gather the outcasts, even those whom I have afflicted.” Micah 4:6






This week we continue to walk with Micah as he warns the people of the consequence of their actions. Micah openly rebukes the leaders of the people. His picture of wolves coming in and tearing the sheep apart is quite graphic. The bottom line of his illustration clearly demonstrates their heartlessness in respect to the people in order to fill their own selfish hungers. In spite of their overbearing selfishness, they still walk in a form of godliness and call on God to bless them. Micah makes it clear that God’s response to their lack of compassion is to hide His face from them. He will not answer!

It would be interesting to take sit for a spell, take a Biblical survey and check out all the reasons God says He would hid His face from people. I have a feeling it would be a real eye opener. But there are many churches today that would not tolerate that kind of preaching. As in the time of Micah, so it is today. If your message is not comforting and if it doesn’t promise prosperity, your words will not be welcomed.

But just as we saw last week, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In the last days things will be different! The question is, “When are the last days?” These words must be defined by their context. “The end of days,” is not referring to the end of time, but the end of an age. As we continue to listen to Micah, we quickly see that his words are describing the same age that we heard from Isaiah. If you spoke with a knowledgeable Jew, he would tell you without question that Micah’s words are referring to the Messianic Age. What an incredible time it will be when the MANY nations will say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” (Micah 4:2) Micah’s God-inspired words cause us to long for the day when people are hungry to know God’s Word. So often today, people are satisfied with a few songs and a sermon, but are basically ignorant of the Law of God: His governing Word that teaches us His ways.

It is Micah who gives us the promise of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem. It is also Micah’s words that tell us there will be a period of time between His birth and when He arises to the position as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel, the ruling Messiah. Listen carefully to his words and see if you can identify this promise.

On Tuesday we enter God’s courtroom. As Prosecutor, YHWH brings His case against His people. The first thing God does is to call the judges, who are also witnesses. God summons the mountains and hills. “Why the mountains and hills,” you may ask. Because they have witnessed all that God has done from the time of creation. They cannot be fooled by the flattery, bribery or lies of those who are being prosecuted. God proceeds to declare His innocence of any wrongdoing, while pointing out their constant failure to do right. Once God has clearly established their guilt, He gives them their sentence. You may want to make your own list of charges as you stand in the courtroom and hear God’s words. You may also want to identify His sentence upon them.

But what about the innocent in the midst of all this? Micah gives us the response of the righteous.

“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)

In the midst of the darkness, Micah can see God’s light of hope. What encouragement Micah’s words bring to the guiltiest of God’s people. His promise is not like the message of New Age laced teachings of today. God is not going to overlook man’s shortcomings and bring great blessing simply because man is in a miserable state. He will pour out His pardon and have compassion when the people desire Him to be in their lives; when the want His ways to be their ways! Only then will He tread our iniquities under foot, and cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

As we leave Micah, we begin walking with Hezekiah once again. We will watch as Hezekiah is faced with the greatest conflict of his life. We will also see the steadfastness of his faith and the victory that resulted from it. On Friday we end our journey on a mountaintop. What a witness of God’s ability and faithfulness! Enjoy the view while you can. We won’t be staying up there forever!!!

January 11-15, 2010

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on High to have compassion on you, For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18

This week we get to spend a great deal of time with Isaiah. What a powerful man of God he is! His messages from God to King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem and Judah are powerful and potent. If we ever wanted to understand the true nature of prophecy, we couldn’t find a better teacher. This is one gift that has been abused and misused throughout the centuries. It has been exhibited as whitewashed fortune telling and used for personal gain and recognition. True prophecy does not begin with the future; it begins with the past. God made His word very clear. Certain actions and attitudes bring God’s blessings, while other invoke His wrath. A true prophet is able to by the Spirit of God discern the events and motives of a person or nation. By the Spirit he is able to discern the blessings or consequences of those actions and declares the praise or proposal for change. He is also able to foresee the discipline and punishment for failure to repent.

Throughout our journey with Isaiah, we hear the voice of one who clearly sees that the actions of the nation have angered God and He is about to bring the chastisement they deserve. Although there is a constant pleading with the people to turn from their ways, Isaiah also knows that they won’t and that a certain doom awaits them. But Isaiah is also able to sense God’s heart for His chosen ones. Although God is angry with them, there is still the love of a parent that beats in His breast. God is a perfect parent. He doesn’t tell us to do one thing, while He does something else. In Proverbs 13:24 we are told:

He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Hebrews 12:5-8 says it this way:

And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

God disciplines as a good parent! He will try talking with His children, but He will only go the road of reasoning for so long. When words don’t work, God WILL resort to scourging. Unfortunately the world doesn’t understand a hearty spanking done in love, because it has rarely seen it! Spankings done to relieve pent up anger often leave wounds that never heal. God’s motivation for smacking is much different.

For they (i.e. our earthly fathers) disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)

It is this truth that laces Isaiah’s words. In spite of all the doom and gloom of his message, there is always a visible silver lining edging the dark clouds. When dark and foreboding clouds fill the sky, the faint golden edges remind us that the sun is still shining, and it gives us hope for a sunshiny day in the future. Isaiah’s words consistently shift between the great sin of God’s people and the call to repentance, and the amazing promise of blessings on the other side of God’s discipline if they don’t. In the midst of all this, there is comfort for those who are walking God’s way, but live in the midst of a people who refuse His government in their lives.

As you walk with Isaiah, you will quickly recognize that His words are completely relevant for our generation. As the darkness continues to overtake this world, we look to the silver lining of the future reign of the promised Messiah and know that someday God’s kingdom will come. Messiah will set up His rule in Jerusalem and the nations will recognize His sovereignty. But it is important to understand that these promises speak of the millennial (1,000 year) reign of Christ as described in Revelation 19 and 20. Understanding this will help us not to be confused when later it speaks of children dying at 100 years of age, the return of sacrifices and people making pilgrimages to Jerusalem. But we’ll look more at that later when we get there.

At the end of the week, Micah joins us. His words dovetail with Isaiah’s. Micah hits the nail on the head when he speaks of those who don’t want to hear the truth of God’s word. They want God to speak the things they want to hear and to validate their right to do as they please. Sound familiar? God help the preacher who continues to declare that God said what He meant and meant what He said!

Isaiah gives us some godly advice on Friday. He tells us how to encourage the exhausted, strengthen the feeble and speak to the anxious heart. I’d encourage you to slow your pace as you traverse this passage of Isaiah 35. From here you can get a clear view and gain the insight needed to pass through the valleys that lie ahead. May it’s message give you renewed strength as we start our journey through this new year. The darkness in our world continues to gather, but praise God, I can see the silver lining!!!

January 4-8, 2010

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

Happy New Year!!! Welcome back to our Journey Through The Bible. We are so glad you returned! I hope your time away caused you to come back with renewed determination to complete the journey.

Our path picks up with the Psalms that were possibly included in Hezekiah’s collection of Psalms and Proverbs. We finish traversing the Psalms of Ascent that we started in August. You may want to go back in our Travel Journal to August 17, 2009. We took time to look at the structure of the Psalms of Ascent. On the first day’s journey in this New Year, I feel it is quite apropos that we are covering the territory of Psalm 121.

In all the other fourteen Psalms of Ascent, the heading reads “A Song of Ascent.” But Psalm 121 is different in that it literally says “A Psalm to the Ascent.” Another way of saying it is that it is “A Psalm Dedicated to the Ascent.” While the other fourteen Songs sing of the path of the ascent, this particular passage recognizes the reason we are even able to make the ascent and the One who we ascend to.

In Psalm 120, the Psalmist has accurately ascertained the predicament he is in. Lying and deceitfulness surround him. The result of these things cause great affliction. He is aware that he sojourns in Meshech, and dwells among the tents of Kedar. Meshech is interpreted several different ways by the rabbis, and none of them are favorable. No matter which era in history you choose to believe it refers to, the end conclusion is the same. Meshech is a place of exile! Dwelling among the tents of Kedar is not a pleasant thought. The people of Kedar were nomads, Bedouins. They were continually moving from place to place, nation to nation, with no place to call home. Unsettled! No stability! No rest! By the end of the Psalm, we hear the heart’s cry for peace. Perhaps 2009 left you with the same sense. If so, you will welcome the path of Psalm 121.

The song begins with the phrase, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains.” Is it because his help comes from the mountains? Isn’t that where the pagans would look? Isn’t that where they had their high places and sacrificed to their gods? So why is he looking to the mountains? No, he not looking to the mountains for his help: He is looking for the signal of those who are the watchmen on the mountains. He is looking for the hope they can give as they observe the oncoming deliverance from their lofty vantage point. Isaiah, a contemporary of King Hezekiah said it this way:

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness. Who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

Obviously, the message is seen and heard as the Psalmist exclaims, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” You know you are going to be victorious when the aid that’s on the horizon is the One who has created all things! What an amazing God we serve and put our trust in!!!!! His creativity is beyond comprehension. Whether you are looking at the magnitude of the Grand Canyon or admiring the beauty and delicacy of a flower, you are observing the same creative genius of Almighty God. No detail is too large or too small.

We got a beautiful example of God’s enjoyment of the arts on New Year’s Eve. We stood amazed as we looked at the same moon that has been in the sky since the beginning of time. It’s the same moon we have been looking at since the day we were born, and yet God chose to tweak it a bit. The blue moon of January 1st was brighter than I have ever seen it. When we called my in-laws on New Year’s day, my father-in-law commented that when he awoke in the middle of the night, he thought the day was beginning to dawn because of its brightness. What must God feel when He decides to do something special with His created things and puts it on display for the world to admire. We found ourselves going out periodically on New Year’s Eve just to marvel at His handy work.

What comfort we can experience when we are assured that the Creator of all things is coming to our rescue. How will He come? Who know! But I guarantee that you will be amazed by His creativity when He does.

The Psalmist then goes on to speak about this Heavenly Helper who keeps guard over us. Six times in these eight verses, he uses the Hebrew word “shamar.” The basic meaning of this word is “to exercise extreme care over.” One of the ramifications of the word is “to take care of,” or to “guard.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) says this about the word:

This involves keeping or tending to things such as a garden (Gen 2:15), a flock (30:31), a house (2 Sam 15:16). Or it may involve guarding against intruders, etc., such as the cherubim guarding the way to the tree of life in Gen 3:24, or gatekeepers (Isa 21:11) or watchmen (Song 5:7). The same is true with regard to persons. Thus Cain asks, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). David frequently speaks of God’s care and protection in such passages as Ps 34:20; 86:2; 121:3–4, 7, and others.

You may want to take some time as you go through Psalm 121 and consider what the great Keeper of Israel has promised to do. See if you can find all six of the Hebrew words “shamar.” They are not all translated with the same English word, so enjoy the hunt.

One of the promises we are given is found in verse 3:

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Back in October I got very sick. I would get up to eat and then go back to sleep. I slept all day and all night. I wondered how my body could possibly stay asleep for that many hours. As a result, I began to ponder the miracle of sleep. Why do we sleep? What goes on in our soul and our body when we sleep? Sleep fulfills a need of some kind. If the body needs to mend, we sleep. If we struggling with life and can’t work things out in our conscious minds, we sleep. If we’ve put in a days work and need refreshed, we sleep. It is a time for these earthly jumpsuits to rest and rejuvenate, to replenish and restore. But God never sleeps!!! He has no need to re-anything!!! He has no need to refresh because He is always fresh. He has no need to rejuvenate (to make young again) because He doesn’t age. He has no need to replenish because He loses no strength no matter what He does. Restoration is absolutely unnecessary. God has no “down” time. No need for a nap to have enough energy to make it though the day, week, month, year, century….. He never needs sleep and He never slumbers. He is always ready to keep us, protect us, guard us! This truth makes the rest of the Psalms even more meaningful.

This thought also brings greater sadness as you continue to read Israel’s unwillingness to trust the One who loved them so much. Why were they so determined to put their trust in other nations and other people when they had such an amazing God? Why are we? When we can understand our own shortcomings, we will not make the same mistakes Israel made. I trust that our journey this week will cause us to look more closely at the Creator of all things who is on a constant vigilance to protect us, aid us and guide us to the place where His glory dwells.