HONEST, STRONG FAITH

I love Habakkuk. I love to preach from this book, I love to read it and I love to meditate on it as I did this morning. Habakkuk was disturbed by what appeared to be unpunished evil in his nation. He asked God why injustice was going unpunished? God answered and shocked the prophet by telling him the bloodthirsty Babylonian army would be used to punish Israel.
Habakkuk did not like this answer and asked God a second "why" question. Why would you use a nation more evil to punish your people who are evil but less so? Then, demonstrating his faith, he waited for God to answer him. (2:1, 2) It was not a reassuring answer. Babylon would be punished but only after they would first deliver terrible days punishment on Habakkuk's people.
At this, Habakkuk feels great emotion, poetically described in words we can understand: "my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound, decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled." We have all felt a pounding heart when emotionally upset. We have seen the lips of others tremble as they struggle with deep feelings. We may have said ourselves, when dealing with bad news, "I need to sit down."
Yet as his brief, personal, vulnerable book ends, Habakkuk provides for us one of the great biblical statements of faith. In Israel's agrarian society there were six sources of income and wealth. Habakkuk listed them all: figs, grapes (wine), olives, grain, sheep and cattle. He affirmed to God (3:17, 18) if the entire economy is wiped out by the invading army; if you leave us destitute: "I will rejoice (not just believe, but rejoice) in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour."
Then he confessed, not only will I find joy in God but He will provide the strength I need. He will enable me to climb whatever mountains of life lie ahead.
Is your prayer life honest these days? Are you really sharing your heartfelt thoughts, not just ritual polite requests? And is your faith increasing as you grow deeper with God? May we have the rock solid, "come what may" faith that Habakkuk confesses. In a world where the future is so unpredictable, may we learn to rejoice in God, who in the midst of the changing ups and downs of life, never changes.

FYI -  I wrote yesterday about the many times in Scripture the justice of God is emphasized right alongside the love of God. I alluded to the controversy raging these days among evangelicals about punishment after death. I have read neither Bell's best selling book "Love Wins" nor Francis Chan's forthcoming book "Erasing Hell". But having read numerous reviews, positive and negative; having read the critics of both men and their views, I believe Francis Chan provides a more biblically grounded view of the reality and seriousness of eternal destiny.

ANGER AND COMPASSION

Marcion, an influential second century church leader is the first leader of note to drastically contrast the Old Testament God with Jesus and His Father in the New Testament. His ideas veered so far from traditional Christian teaching that he was declared a heretic.
Many, if not most Christians have struggled with the references to and examples of God's anger in the Old Testament. In reading the New Testament, many believers prefer to highlight the love of God and ignore the teachings about God's rejection of sin. We all naturally respond positively to the teaching on the joys of the New Heaven and New Earth and are not attracted to the teachings on the agony of hell and punishment.
In recent years a number of popular evangelical authors and leaders have been doing their best to re-interpret the New Testament to soften what it teaches about God's anger, punishment of sinners and hell. These are distasteful, uncomfortable subjects for anyone compelled by the love of Christ. Yet so often in both Testaments, the authors seem to have no trouble placing these contrasting teachings near each other, as did Jesus himself.
I was reminded of that today as I read the book of Nahum (and a preceding few verses at the end of Micah.) From Micah 7:18, 19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgressions. --- You will not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us."
In contrast Nahum opens with: "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God, the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. ---  the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. --- Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire;" 1:2, 3, 6
But then Nahum also writes these lovely words: "The Lord is slow to anger --- The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. he cares for those who trust in Him." 1: 3, 7
As I read the prophets, I see a mature understanding of God as a wonderful Shepherd to His people (Micah 5:4); who with compassion can forgive and banish all of our sin (Micah 7:10). Yet in His Holiness He remains as the eternal righteous Judge who hates and must punish sin. He will not, He cannot simply allow unrepentant sinners to go unpunished.
Thus if we treat the prophets' message and Jesus' message faithfully, we must continue to call people to faith in our Loving Holy God. With faith that includes repentance, everyone can be absolutely pardoned. God loves to forgive. No one needs to face the righteous anger of God. But tragically, many will.

CHRISTMAS CAROL IN JUNE

It is about 31 degrees outside, end of June in Vietnam and no snow in the forecast (ever). Yet I just had to go on YouTube this morning. I needed to listen to the Vienna Boys Choir sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem." No, I am not one of those Christmas Carol fanatics who listen to carols all year round (though I do listen throughout the month of December).
My Scripture reading this morning was in the last three chapters of Micah. I paused to meditate on the familiar Christmas reading, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small --- out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (5:2) What an amazing promise - someone from ancient times (days of eternity) would arrive as a newborn!
How did those who heard these words, those who read or heard them read over the next seven centuries - how did they understand this prophetic word? Could they have truly imagined Who was coming? We are told by Matthew that the chief priests and scribes did understand enough to point to this prophecy when Herod asked where the Messiah would be born. We rejoice on this side of the Birth and the Cross in a way none of the OT saints could possibly have rejoiced. So I needed this morning to hear the Christmas Carol as part of my worship based on those powerful prophetic words.
Very near this familiar verse is a verse normally missed at Christmas. It tells us much more of what the coming Messiah would be like and what He would do. Here is Micah's expanded description:
"He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace." (5:4)
May you live securely this day, not only in the knowledge of our Lord's birth, but also in the strength of your great Shepherd and in the peace that surpasses all understanding only He can provide.

DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY AND FREE WILL

I have fond memories of hearing Jan's elderly grandfather begin his prayer's with "Lord, we come to you, on this, the praying side of heaven." We also live on this, the "now we know in part" side of heaven.
Until we are on the other side, no human is going to fully understand the interaction between God's sovereignty and free will. We simply have all the knowledge God has decided we need to have.
I thought of the interaction between God's ultimate, wise control and human freedom as I read the story of Jonah again this morning. There is no question that Jonah does not do what God wants.  He is a free man and Jonah "ran away from the Lord"; again, "he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord." In the midst of  the life threatening Mediterranean storm, the very frightened sailors know that "he was running away from the Lord." Jonah's freedom to disobey God's clear word is emphasized three times.
Nevertheless, the underlying theme of the book is surely God's sovereign control. The Lord "sent a great wind on the sea" that causes a major problem for Jonah's run away trip. When at last Jonah is thrown over board, his next transportation was not his choice. The Lord "provided a great fish to swallow Jonah".
When Jonah receives a second word from the Lord, he is not stupid enough to disobey again. However after preaching faithfully to the hated enemy city of Ninevah, he suspects that God will be gracious and compassionate. Jonah e does not like this one bit. In fact he is so angry and disappointed that God has forgiven Ninevah that he blurts out "Now, O Lord, take away my life for it is better for me to die than to live."He sounds like a bitter spoiled child. God has given him the freedom to think and speak like this.
Yet God in his love attempts to make Jonah come around to his way of thinking and of loving people. God in his sovereignty provides comfort followed by discomfort, all to open Jonah's eyes. "Then the Lord God provided a vine"; "But at the dawn the next day God provided a worm"; finally "When the sun rose, God provided a scorching wind." God is fully in control of the situation.
But Jonah is in control of his own attitude. We are not told how Jonah ultimately responds. He is left, with his free will, to choose whether to take God's compassionate perspective or not.

WHEN WORSHIP IS REJECTED

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.  Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps." Amos 5:21 - 23
To a casual observer, without knowledge of the context, God's words in Amos would seem shocking. How could God reject what He, in great detail, had commanded? When they came to worship, apparently Israel was obeying the instructions of the Pentateuch regarding proper worship procedures, yet God was absolutely rejecting what they offered to Him.

God wanted Israel to "seek good, not evil"; to "Hate evil, love good, maintain justice in the courts." God's desire: "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream." Amos 5:14, 15, 24

Instead, many of those in Israel brought offerings to God, played the correct worship music, observed the proper holy occasions but ignored the needs of the poor, did not protect the vulnerable, used bribes to gain advantage and rejected honest business dealings.

Our sin may not be as blatant as was that of Israel in their worst days. Yet we must remember that worship, if not generated from a life of obedience, is repugnant to our Holy God in any generation. 

I wonder how much of the worship in what appear to be solid evangelical congregations, is displeasing to God. Could it be that in spite of our fine buildings, biblical knowledge, great electronic equipment, talented leaders and generous offerings, our worship music, our Sunday services may displease Him?

Always it comes back to our hearts and our obedience, doesn't it. Do we really love the One we worship and are we actively obeying His Word? 

Do we hate evil and love righteousness? We do well to examine ourselves personally and as congregations. How tragic if one day we stand condemned with the Israel to whom Amos preached. 

SPIRIT POWER

Joel is a small, 3 chapter, 73 verse Old Testament book. Have you read it lately? The first chapter is filled with a prophetic warning of God's coming judgment. However the second chapter has several wonderful verses that are often referenced because they are so relevant to believers of every era.
For example:
God knew that in Joel's day, tearing one's outer garments was a common sign in of deep sorrow. We may reference this verse to remind ourselves that God expects heartfelt repentance, not mere religious responses. "Rend your heart, and not your garments". (2:13)
God foretold that He would punish Israel for their sin and idolatry by sending a terrible plague of locusts. When we read this verse we are reminded that God can take what is broken and repair it; that God can take a life that has been wasted and still make if fruitful: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten." (2:25)
There is one passage that is not familiar, but seems especially significant in this day of increased awareness of the environment. "Be not afraid, O Land ---. Be not afraid, O wild animals ---, Be glad, O people of Zion ---."2:21 -23 This verse parallels the land, animals and the Israelites who will all be recipients of God's restoration. We humans are unique among God's creation, but we are also closely tied to all creation.
We know that God placed us on earth to manage His good creation and that our sin has scarred this whole planet. When Paul writes about our future "glory" he ties it to release and healing that will also come to the realm of nature. "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed --- the creation itself will be liberated ---." Romans 8:19 - 21

The last passage I want to emphasize is the greatest. It is God's wonderful promise of a day when He would pour out His Spirit - not on a king, a priest or a prophet - but on all of His people. "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. --- Even on my servants, both men and women, I will power out my Spirit in those days." 2:28, 29
That day came 40 days after Jesus death, on the Day of Pentecost. The crowd gathered , amazed at hearing the Good News being spoken in many languages by those earliest of Christians. Peter stood with the Eleven and said: "this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel ---." Acts 2:16
God gave and continues to give His Spirit abundantly to all who believe and submit to Him; rely on Him; and walk in loyalty and obedience. May we live Spirit filled lives daily, enjoying the Spirit's Power over sin and temptation; for good works and for sharing the Good News.  

RIGHTEOUS AND HUMBLE

The prophet Daniel was highly respected on earth and in heaven. Several kings were impressed with Daniel enough to give him prominent political positions. His enemies were so impressed and frustrated with his righteous integrity they decided the only way to get him in trouble was to make his religious practices a crime. The angel Gabriel, with his "heavenly perspective" twice refers to Daniel as "highly esteemed". 9:23; 10:19  In Ezekiel, Daniel is named by God twice, along with Noah and Job, as an extremely righteous man. 14:14; 14:20
Daniel may have sensed that he lived at a level of commitment, of godliness, of righteousness that few men attained. Yet when he prayed (see Daniel 9:1 - 19), he absolutely identified with his people and with their sin and rebellion. There was no indication that he was simply confessing their sin and rebellion. There is no indication of "them vs. me". His passionate prayer of confession and strong cry for help is consistently filled with "we".
"We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away ---. We have not listened to your servants the prophets ---. --- we have sinned, we have done wrong."
Daniel so identified with his people that their failings became his failings, their rebellion his rebellion. Energized by this kind of empathy he was motivated to pray with great intensity and call on God to "listen, forgive, hear and act."
With this intense identification he was a forerunner of the One who was to come. Our great Saviour fully identified with us from his birth to his baptism to his death. "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God and that he might make atonement for he sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17
I am so grateful for our amazing, humble High Priest. And I am challenged by Daniel's example of humble identification and empathy; his deep compassion. How do you, how do I, pray for them - those rebels and sinners in our culture? How do we pray for the sad failings of the church? Is it them and us? Or do we plead for "our" forgiveness; that God would be merciful to "us" - "we" Canadians, "we" who are the church?