LISTEN UP

I've been reading Isaiah for the past week since I'm preaching a few sermons from Isaiah for Lent. The section, chapters 40 - 66 is filled with such wonderful theology, challenge and comfort. It is a wonder that more Christians don't read it every month - like the many who read Psalms and/or Proverbs every month.
Anyway, I was wondering this morning if there is any other chapter in the Bible that so often demands attention as Isaiah 51. Of course all authors want attention paid to what they write. Isaiah surely expects his readers to be attentive throughout the book and God who is inspiring the author certainly wants all of us to listen carefully. Yet in this chapter is, I think unique because - well let me list several brief quotes:
"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut ---." 51:1
"Look to Abraham, your father ---." vs. 2
"Listen to me my people, hear me, my nation ---." vs. 4
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath ---." vs. 6
"Hear me, you who know what is right ---." vs. 7
"Awake, awake ---." vs. 9
There are several more I could list, but you see what I mean. God really wanted Israel to make sure they got His message. So in this passage, at least ten times words are used to in effect say: Listen up. Don't miss this. Pay attention. Do you copy?
And I wonder: how often (every day?) would God from His perspective, say to me, "Nelson, pay attention. You just missed an opportunity I gave you; or, my Spirit just nudged you to speak to that person and you were too preoccupied to notice; or, I wanted you to see that person's hurt and pray for them, but you were not "awake"."
I hope with each passing year I am more alert to what God is doing and saying; more attentive to others needs rather than my own; more responsive when God prompts and leads by His Spirit.
Did you really listen to what I just wrote? How awake were you when you last read Scripture? Will you pay attention to God's still, small voice as you walk through this day?
(There may be other biblical passages that demand attention as often as Isaiah 51. Maybe it just seems unique to me because a few years ago I circled in my Bible all of the above attention demanding verbs.)

MEMORIZE TO MEDITATE

The Season of Lent began last Wednesday, Ash Wednesday. While we did not hold an Ash Wednesday service, I along with others in our congregation did begin to fast, as is the custom for the Season of Lent. I've done some type of fast during Lent for now, perhaps 7 or 8 years. While I came late to this practice, I've found it to be a helpful and needed additional discipline in my own spiritual life.
This year, as part of my Lent discipline, I am also memorizing a portion of Scripture. This does not come easily to me which means for me, it takes serious effort.
 If you spend much time with me, sooner or later you would hear me bemoan my sad lack of a great memory. Some people lose their good memory as they grow older. I've just never had that kind of worry - not much memory to lose. :)
Sometimes even I have been amazed at important incidents and people meaningful to me that I have forgotten. I have tried not to envy those who remember people and names easily; who can recall details of what they've read months or years ago.
I hold onto two great advantages of a bad memory: first, it is pretty easy for me to forgive and forget offences; second, I can enjoy a movie or book a second or third time quite easily.
However a bad memory is no excuse for not memorizing some Scripture. It may not stick with me long term, but at least in the short term it fills my mind with God's truth. So, in this season of Lent I am memorizing 12 verses. Some of you could do that in a day or two. It will probably take me at least a couple of weeks to get these verses word perfect.
Why do this? I have not memorized any Scripture for quite a while. For me, it is an overdue return to a good discipline. Memorizing verses greatly improves my meditation. Instead of thinking about general truths of God, recalling parts of a verse or some lines from a worship song, I can keep running these specific verses from God's Word through my mind.
When is this especially helpful? I don't normally fall asleep quickly. So in those minutes (sometimes many minutes) while I am trying to go to sleep, I can review my passage for Lent, wonderful words to consider. Great thoughts with which to end the day.
Is memorizing God's Word difficult? For some of us, it sure is. Is it worth it - of course we all know it is. The problem in my life and likely in yours? The absence of discipline, spiritual discipline. So I am thankful for Lent and enjoying the natural flow from memorization to meditation.
Yes, you can check on me in a few weeks to see if I mastered all twelve verses word perfect. Better yet, you can ask my wife. 

LIKE A SHEPHERD

A few days ago I quoted the comforting words of Moses found at the end of Deuteronomy, where he speaks of God's "everlasting arms."I mentioned that I picture the arms of a father or mother with an infant whenever I think of that verse.
The Old Testament often speaks about God in terms of a shepherd. One such place is Isaiah 40:11.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

For those in Palestine, 2,700 years ago, the picture of a shepherd carrying a lamb, leading his sheep would be a very familiar one. If not every day, surely every week anyone living in Israel in those days would see shepherds taking care of their flocks.
Most of us may never see first hand a shepherd carrying a lamb. But in photos or on the screen, we have seen it. What a wonderful tender picture: God as our shepherd carrying us close to his heart, like a gentle shepherd.
We know that Jesus described Himself to his followers as the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. How wonderful to know that if we fall or when we are limping, He will carry us. How good to know that we have a tender yet all powerful Shepherd.
In the words of an old hymn we pray:
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

VALENTINES DAY

Jan and I shared a lunch with a young Canadian woman who is here in Hanoi for a year. Then a newly married couple came by in the afternoon for two hours. He helped me sort out a problem with my computer and she showed Jan pictures of their honeymoon in the Philippines.
Afterward Jan and I went into the heart of the city for dinner. We ate at Koto a restaurant that hires and trains street kids. Put through a two year program of classes and training in the restaurant, they come out well equipped to gain steady employment.
We then walked around Hoan Kiem lake, abundant with flowers and lights in celebration of the Vietnamese New Year. Very impressive.
So we celebrated another Valentines Day, quietly but with deep joy that comes from over 40 years of a growing, contented marriage.
To all who are married: Happy Valentines Day. May you who keep working at building strong relationships - 365 days a year.

ALLIES AT LAST

There is much unrest in Egypt. The Arab Spring did not usher in the move toward justice and freedom that many had hoped. In Syria, the two year war continues with no end in sight, in spite of all the calls from outside the country for Assad to resign. And Israel, well this is not the worst of times but with uncertainty regarding the future of Syria and Egypt, coupled with ongoing tensions with other Middle Eastern countries, this is certainly not the best of times.
So lets keep our eyes on the future. God does offer all three countries a prophetic word of hope through Isaiah. Imagine them one day being at peace, all enjoying God's rich blessing.
"In that day there will be a highwayfrom Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing^[a]on the earth. TheLord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.” 19:22 - 25

Yes, Israel is God's special people, but this passage reminds us that God has always been concerned for the nations. He wants to bless all nations. And His people are to be the means through which that blessing is to come. We should pray for believers who are in each of these countries, that their light will shine brightly.

EVERLASTING ARMS

I was a young Bible College instructor and church planter. I had very little pastoral experience because we'd planted the church just three years before and almost everyone in our church was under the age of 40. Add to that the fact that I'd taken no pastoral courses while in seminary and had never been mentored as to the role of a pastor.
I'd been asked to candidate for the role of Senior Pastor at a church that was much larger than I could handle. (Thankfully they chose someone much older and much better equipped than me.) While I was there an experienced older pastor was hosting me and took me with him on a pastoral visit to an elderly person. While we visited, as he gave words of comfort, this pastor quoted a verse unfamiliar to me. It seemed wonderfully appropriate for the elderly person. It made a great impression on me because of the setting. Since then I've often quoted it to others as a wonderful, ancient word of comfort.
It is found at the end of Deuteronomy, as Moses is speaking words of blessing and encouragement to the twelve tribes of Israel, just before his death.
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27
The idea of God as our refuge is quite common in the OT. However the second word picture is much less common: "underneath are the everlasting arms."
Maybe this made a special impression on me because it was spoken that day by an older pastor to an elderly frail Christian. Or maybe it impressed me because at the time we had 3 pre-school children whom I often carried in my arms. I knew my children felt absolutely secure when they were in my arms. They had absolute trust in their father's arms.
No matter why it impressed me: I trust that this verse today, encourages you. I hope when you are weary, or discouraged this ancient word picture can encourage you. For it is true, God promises to carry us through difficulty. You can rest in your Father's arms. That is a truth for believers of all centuries, no matter how old or how young.

HARD YET SENSITIVE

Many of the OT laws and regulations can seem very harsh to those of us living in 21st century, developed countries that have a foundation of Christian heritage. However, on the other hand, God clearly instructs his ancient people to be sensitive to the poor, the defenceless and those without "citizenship". God's concern for the poor and vulnerable comes through in many passages. One chapter that I read this morning, Deuteronomy 24 provides these specific instructions. Here are several partial quotes that encouraged Israelites to care for those in need:

Do not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one—as security for a debt, because that would be taking a person’s livelihood as security. vs. 6

If the neighbor is poor, do not go to sleep with their pledge in your possession. Return their cloak by sunset so that your neighbor may sleep in it. Then they will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the Lord your God. vs. 12, 13

Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.vs. 14, 15

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. vs. 17
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. vs. 19- 22

There was no government operated welfare system in ancient Israel. Yet if they obeyed God's words, every Israelite would remain sensitive to those for whom God expressed special concern.
We can be grateful for government welfare programs that provide a safety net for those who need it. We should pray and give toward those in nations that provide no social safety net at all. And may we followers of Christ have at least as much concern for those who cannot protect themselves as was impressed upon ancient Israel.